Real Salt Lake Winger Jeizon Ramirez Desperate For A Big Pre-Season
Dec 18, 2020, 10:37 AM
Photo courtesy: Real Salt Lake
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Jeizon Ramirez, 19, joined Real Salt Lake shortly after the 2020 MLS season began and subsequently struggled with match fitness throughout his first year with the club.
Ramirez joined RSL with high expectations. The flashy winger was brought in to fill the hole left by Jefferson Savarino who departed following the end of the 2019 season.
However, Ramirez found it difficult to stay fit. RSL Manager Freddy Juarez informed fans and members of the media midway through last season that Ramirez was not seeing minutes due to his lack of fitness.
The upcoming off-season will hopefully prove to be the difference for Ramirez ahead of the 2021 season. An entire off-season in which he can focus entirely on his fitness could prove very influential for both himself and the club.
Real Salt Lake announce that they've signed a new Designated Player…
18-year-old Venezuelan attacker Jeizon Ramírez.
Despite being only 18, Ramírez already has almost 70 professional appearances in Venezuela. Will be very interesting to watch. https://t.co/0IC88qSHku
— MLS Buzz (@MLS_Buzz) February 7, 2020
As a young player Ramirez is learning what it takes to become a true professional. Assuring match fitness is a priority as the work rate required to succeed in MLS is high.
Ramirez, despite playing in an attacking position, is required to help out defensively.
If Ramirez can assure a prominent position within the starting XI in 2021, RSL would fill a positional need. RSL is yet to replace Savarino’s productivity and creativity.
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Savarino was explosive, intelligent, and entertaining. He took defenders on, winning the duel more often than not, and created many attacking opportunities in any game that he played.
Ramirez can be that, if not better, for RSL. But he has to prove to Juarez that he is up for the physical challenge of MLS. He is yet to do that.
88' – A home debut for Jeizon Ramirez!!#RSL 0 – 1 #RBNY#RSLvRBNY #DaleRSL pic.twitter.com/c0iXdofrPr
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) March 7, 2020
Ahead of the 2021 season, the health and fitness of Ramirez must be a priority for the coaching staff.
In 2020, RSL struggled to find the back of the net. They were wasteful in front of goal and never looked terribly dangerous throughout the buildup of any given attack.
For Juarez to keep his job, Ramirez must play a significant role in 2021 and it starts with assuring he is fit.
