Bertin Jacquesson's rookie rise has been 'really quick,' but it's only just begun
Jacquesson earned his first career MLS start in Saturday's 0-0 draw at Houston, accelerating the rise of the rookie from France by way of Pitt.
It all happened so fast for Bertin Jacquesson.
One moment, the rookie winger from Lorrez-la-Bocage, France, was dipping his toe with Real Salt Lake after being signed in first round of the 2023 MLS SuperDraft, making three appearances with Real Monarchs after virtually no time off the bench to start the year for RSL.
In a span of 10 days, Jacquesson went from Open Cup starter to valued member of the 18 to MLS starter in securing a point on the road against a Dynamo squad that remains unbeaten at home.
“I think everything happened really quick,” Jacquesson said. “When I got my opportunity, I just stepped on the field and tried to do my best.
“I just try my best every time I get on the field.”
It’s a lot to take in for the Generation adidas signee. But it hasn’t surprised those around him, including head coach Pablo Mastroeni, who has repeatedly made reference to Jacquesson as the team’s leading scorer during the 2023 preseason.
“He's a player that can really stand on one leg and hit the ball with accuracy and pace,” Mastroeni said after the rookie’s MLS debut in a 0-0 draw with Seattle. “So for a debut, I think it was really good to see him. And moving forward, I think he's put himself in a position to get minutes."
Jacquesson earned his first career MLS start in Saturday's 0-0 draw at Houston, accelerating the rise of the rookie from France by way of Pitt. He’s now played 104 minutes in the last two MLS games, both scoreless draws, and added another 42 minutes as a substitute in a 3-1 win over Las Vegas in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
The youngster who scored 19 goals with 23 assists in 57 appearances (50 starts) in three seasons at PItt nearly bagged a goal there, too. But his rip in the final minute of stoppage time was pushed off the crossbar, falling to the feet of Henderson, Nevada-native Danny Musovski for the striker’s first goal in an RSL uniform in front of close to 50 family and friends in his hometown.
Jacquesson isn’t upset by it, either.
“Unfortunately that was one that I missed. I think I could’ve done better,” Jacquesson said. “But I was happy for Danny scoring in his hometown. It was nice.
“My job is to create goals, not necessarily to score them — even if I like to score.”
Jacquesson has also stepped quickly into a role as one of RSL’s takers of set pieces, handling corner kicks from the right flag following the departure of Justin Meram to Charlotte FC.
He had six shots, including that one one target in extra time, against the win over the USL Championship side Lights FC, and as well as three shots in two MLS matches since then. That includes a near-volley he tried to convert against the Dynamo as RSL opened up a game against a notoriously tight Houston side that hasn’t allowed a goal at home through the first five matches of the season.
Jacquesson moved inward from his usual role on the wing, pairing with Rubio Rubin up top as Mastroeni continues to play a dual-striker setup. The duo were replaced in tandem by Damir Kreilach and Musovski, so the 22 year old spent the whole match in the same off-striker role.
If he was out of position, you would’ve been hard-pressed to notice. Jacquesson has a unique way to adapt and fit his game into the team’s tactics.
“He’s always played out wide, but I think his ability to run, to get in the box, and his fearless in front of goal … he’s not afraid to put himself in dangerous spots,” Mastroeni said after the match.
“He’s a player who can play multiple ways. He’s the prototype of the type of striker that we want. It’s very encouraging signs coming from not being with the team, having a cameo in the Open Cup, to starting his first MLS game, it’s a work in progress. But I think he’s shown really well in the last two performances.”
Before assuming his chance and running with it, Jacquesson was quietly getting ready in the shadows. The 6-foot forward was running extra laps after training sessions while Utah’s extended winter kept RSL indoors for the first month of the season.
But sometimes those mental reps can be just as valuable preparation as the physical ones. Jacquesson wasn’t just learning to fit into Salt Lake’s system and tactics; he was also learning how to be a professional, going from practices after class work to the intensity and consistency of North American soccer’s top division.
“I think it was more mental; sometimes you can be like, I play well but I just don’t get my chance,” he said. “You’ve just got to keep doing what you’re doing. Because if you stop, whenever we call you, you aren’t ready.
“Just be ready for that opportunity. Keep doing the same thing whenever people are not looking at you.”
Jacquesson figures to get more chances this year, too. With fellow Pitt alum Jasper Loffelsend working his way back from an ankle injury and Meram off to Charlotte, there’s been room in RSL’s midfield — and even if he fared well up top, Jacquesson can still create well on the wing, when needed.
There’s also a battery of extra games in 2023, starting Wednesday at Portland in the Open Cup’s Round of 32 and also including Leagues Cup. All will test RSL’s depth in a way it’s scarcely been tested before.
Fortunately for the club, some of those depth signings are rising to the occasion — Jacquesson included.
“With all the hardships we’ve been going through, there’s definitely a silver lining in the performances,” Mastroeni said. “It’s great to put three very good performances back-to-back … and I think it validates all the work.”
