There are still questions about Real Salt Lake's Alexandre

CARSON, Calif. — Real Salt Lake drafted Jean Alexandre last year almost exclusively on potential.

A very raw player from Lynn University in Florida, it was going to take him quite a while to get things figured out at the professional level. But with his incredible athleticism, RSL's coaching staff was willing to gamble and wait it out.

Eventually progress would be required, and following Saturday's 2-1 win at Chivas USA coach Jason Kreis admitted there are still a lot of question marks about Alexandre.

"Here we have this young player who we've had now for a year and a quarter, and we have questions about whether or not he's good enough," said Kreis.

With Kyle Beckerman entrenched in Alexandre's holding midfield position, RSL had all but conceded that Alexandre would have to wait until U.S. Open Cup matches and the CONCACAF Champions League to gain experience and prove himself.

That might've changed on Saturday night in Southern California.

Beckerman sprained his left foot in the opening 20 minutes against Chivas and was forced to leave the game despite a heavy tape job. Alexandre got the nod in his place, and played the final 66 minutes.

"It took me a little bit to get going, after that I thought I did alright," said the soft-spoken Alexandre. "It felt nice. It's only going to get better from here, it's only going to get better from the previous game."

Alexandre's next game could be as early as this Saturday against visiting Kansas City.

Beckerman will have an MRI today on his left foot, but regardless of the result he'll likely be doubtful against the Wizards. Even the following the week his service could be in question. Fabian Espindola, who scored the 89th minute game-winner, just recently missed three games with a sprained ankle.

Even if Beckerman sits out a few games, there's no guarantee Alexandre will start in his place. The holding role in RSL's diamond midfield is a very demanding job.

"In our system I really feel that's the most important position tactically for us on the field. So to put a player that's so young in Jean Alexandre, and also someone with such limited soccer experience, ... it's a very difficult task," said Kreis. "Obviously we won the game and we have to feel pleased that he was a part of it."

Had Will Johnson not been in South America preparing for today's international friendly between Canada and Argentina, realistically Alexandre would not have been Kreis' first choice to replace Beckerman. Ned Grabavoy and Johnson are both capable of playing the holding midfield role, but on Saturday Johnson was absent and Grabavoy was starting in his place as a wide midfielder.

At the end of the day, Alexandre got the nod and a chance to demonstrate his development. His playing time in the coming weeks will be proof of whether or not the coaching staff liked what they saw.

e-mail: jedward@desnews.com