Jump to content

Alejandro Bedoya deal agreed


Recommended Posts

  • Replies 196
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Posted this in the Bedoya thread last August.

The midfielder, who took part in qualification for the Olympics but didn't make the squad that traveled to Beijing, was more impressive against the Netherlands. Again, he took the pitch after the hour mark but shined in 30 minutes. Bedoya can play both sides of the pitch (he's carved out a space on the left of Oberbro's starting XI) and displays tactical awareness wherever he finds himself on the field. He consistently makes wonderful runs with and without the ball -- he and Michael Bradley played a lovely one-two around the Dutch defense -- but his American teammates need more time to spot his forays. This fact was obvious against the Dutch. In the 78th minute, Bedoya charged into the box of the world's third-best side a step ahead of his marker and could have equalized... if only Eddie Johnson had seen his wide-open teammate.

Given time, like say during a one-month pre-World Cup training camp, these communication issues would resolve themselves.

Of course, Bedoya's inclusion will mean a worthy candidate misses out. Despite a rash of knocks, the American midfield remains the squad's deepest position. Landon Donovan, and Clint Dempsey are locks to make the team. Stuart Holden was close to booking his ticket but fractured his leg against the Dutch. While he should recover in time for the World Cup, it remains to be seen if his form returns as well. Jose Torres failed to impress against the Netherlands. While he seems better suited to the middle of the pitch, Bradley has employed the Pachuca midfielder mainly out wide in an attempt to find space for his creativity.

DaMarcus Beasley is playing himself back into form, but it might be too little, too late. Robbie Rogers is on the outside looking in but could still figure into the mix. Throw in Michael Bradley, Benny Feilhaber, Ricardo Clark, Maurice Edu, and, possibly Jermaine Jones and it's clear the U.S. manager has some tough choices to make (although those five and Bedoya don't play the same position.)

The sterling form of Oberbro's midfielder increases the difficulty level of the coach's decision but there needs to be a place for Bedoya. Assuming Charlie Davies doesn't return in time, it's likely either Landon Donovan or Clint Dempsey will trade his wide role for that second striker spot. While slotting Bedoya into the starting line up would be too much of a Cinderella story, the U.S. needs depth out wide. He's proven he can perform this function to perfection and the ability to jump in on either side helps his case immensely. The two-time Hermann Trophy semifinalist can inject a change of pace late in the match. Additionally, don't expect England, Slovenia, and Algeria to be familiar with an unknown quantity American fans barely know. The U.S. needs every advantage they can get, and the midfielder provides a couple.

With just two caps to his name, Bedoya will be the most inexperienced international player on the roster. His greenness in Red, White, and Blue, however, won't be unprecedented. Beasley and Pablo Mastroeni both made the 2002 World Cup team after appearing in fewer than 10 matches for their country. The Rangers' midfielder played in all three group stage games, terrorizing Portugal, South Korea, and Poland on the flank.

A hungry young winger, holding his coming out party on the world's biggest stage? Can you say déjà vu?

Quote

Alejandro Bedoya | Midfielder | 22 | USA

Alejandro Bedoya, the American midfielder of Colombian origin, has come from nowhere in recent months to stake a serious claim to be included in Bob Bradley’s World Cup squad. A graceful attacking midfield player who has proved himself capable of playing on both flanks, Bedoya has impressed since joining Swedish Allsvenskan side Orebro in 2009.

Different from the majority of players who graduate from the American college system, Bedoya turned his back on the traditional route to a professional career, shunning the annual MLS draft to explore avenues of opportunity abroad. Having impressed during his time at Boston College, Bedoya was snapped up by Orebro, a Scandinavian club with lofty ambitions and realistic hopes of a top four finish and Europa League qualification in the seasons to come, where he has made an outstanding start to his fledgling career.

Since joining the club just over a year ago, Bedoya has made 26 appearances for Orebro (the majority on the left side of midfield) and has quickly become an integral part of Finnish manager Sixten Bostrom’s side. The American’s performances did not go unnoticed and, in January, the Miami-born player was called up to the USA national team’s winter training camp in California, making his international debut at the end of the month against Honduras.

Despite an inexperienced USA side short of its star players going down 1-3 to the Central Americans, Bedoya was rated as the second best American on the pitch by the New York Times who described his performance as “threatening” but cast doubt over his chances of a place in this summer’s World Cup squad. However, an impressive display coming on as a substitute in a 2-1 defeat to Holland saw the player’s stock rise further and, with USA regular Stuart Holden having broken his leg against the Dutch, Bedoya’s dreams of completing a fairytale rise out of obscurity by being selected to travel to South Africa might just have become a little more likely. Watch this space.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Lets hope we can get a fee agreed to get him in before january

Welcome to the Rangers Alejandro. You are following in the footsteps of some of your countrymen who will, I'm sure all have told you that you are joining the greatest club in the world

Link to post
Share on other sites

Seems like a nice guy.

Saw a wee clip on youtube of him too, scored a goal with 5 mins left, his team mates all sauntered back to their half as if the game was done with not a care in the world, not him, they were still 1 goal down, he ran 20 yards right into that goal and grabbed the ball to restart the match, he scored again in the closing minutes! :)

Being a Yank sportman/athlete he will no doubt have a fantastic attitude.

(tu)

Link to post
Share on other sites

Saw a wee clip on youtube of him too, scored a goal with 5 mins left, his team mates all sauntered back to their half as if the game was done with not a care in the world, not him, they were still 1 goal down, he ran 20 yards right into that goal and grabbed the ball to restart the match, he scored again in the closing minutes! :)

Being a Yank sportman/athlete he will no doubt have a fantastic attitude.

(tu)

*insert stereotypical view of Americans here*

Link to post
Share on other sites

We are trying to get him to come just now, we got a bid rejected remember and we signed him on a pre contract, maybe his current club will let him go and accept what we offered, IMO thats what Rangers are doing. Bit like Miller/Bursaspor.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Upcoming Events

    • 28 April 2024 11:30 Until 13:30
      0  
      St Mirren v Rangers
      The SMiSA Stadium
      Scottish Premiership
      Live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Football

×
×
  • Create New...