Over the last seven years, Tony Beltran has worn many hats. He has been an All-Star, a U.S. National Team call-up and a pillar in the Salt Lake community. The one he has worn most consistently has been as the starting right back for Real Salt Lake, where he has amassed 151 starts since being selected third overall in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft. Throughout his career, he has never missed the postseason, and he doesn’t plan to make 2015 his first time watching the playoffs from home. This year, he has decided to take a more active role in ensuring that the team continues on its streak of seven straight playoff berths and five straight seasons of at least 15 wins and 50 points.
The 27-year-old veteran is taking on a greater leadership position with RSL and it has already shown in the first few weeks of training camp.
“I just want to continue expanding my role within this team. As I get older, more things are asked of me and that’s what I want,” Beltran said from preseason camp in Irvine, California.
Raising his voice to fill the void left with the departure of vocal leaders like Ned Grabavoy, Nat Borchers and Chris Wingert isn’t the only way Beltran’s role is expanding this season though. Always one of the better defensive right backs in Major League Soccer, Beltran is now being asked to get more involved in the attack.
“I think we’re doing things just a hair differently and it suits his game. He’s got a great engine up and down the field,” said RSL Head Coach Jeff Cassar. “His defending 1-v-1 are second to none in this league. When he’s on the field, the team’s not giving up goals. Now it’s that final piece, that final third, that final ball. The question is, can he get a goal and four assists and start showing up on the stat sheet as well as playing good, solid defense?”
To Beltran, the title of veteran is one that he takes a bit wide-eyed, but attacks head-on. On the one hand, he still has the youthful exuberance that he brought when he signed out of UCLA in 2008. On the other hand, he has seen his own professional growth in his seven MLS seasons and knows that with that time comes more responsibility. His own maturity and the influence of the players that have passed through Rio Tinto Stadium have him prepared to shoulder that load.
“It’s a long time, but it’s gone by quickly. It’s a little bit more of an involved role. That’s something I’m embracing and enjoying,” he said.
RSL takes on the OC Blues from the USL on Thursday in the final day of the second leg of preseason in Irvine. The next leg includes four matches in the FC Tucson Desert Diamond Cup, beginning on February 18.
