As a striker, Jean Carlos Solorzano knows all about making the most of every opportunity.
In 59 appearances for the Roar across all competitions, he has scored 18 goals. Right now though, it is about being patient and waiting for the next chance to arise.
Solorzano has been named in a preliminary 18-player squad for the Roar’s blockbuster Hyundai A-League Round 12 clash against Melbourne City at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday (6pm kick off).
As he has done for the last two rounds since returning from a hamstring strain (which followed a foot injury in the pre-season), the 27-year-old Costa Rican may well start on the bench.
It is a role he is comfortable fulfilling as the Roar are committed to playing as a squad but the patient Solorzano knows his next opportunity may be just around the corner – particularly with the Roar set to lose three Olyroos, including No.9 Jamie Maclaren, for almost all of January.
“I have had really tough time with injuries now I am recovering well,” he said.
“The team is playing well so it’s really positive. I’m just waiting for the opportunity and every time I come on the field I am trying to do the best for the team.
“What is important is what we are doing. The whole group is believing in the positive signs and the things we are doing.
“We are getting results, we are playing at home and we are out to win this game.”
It has been a roller-coaster ride for Solorzano in recent seasons.
He burst on the scene scoring 11 goals in 25 Hyundai A-League games for the Roar in season 2010-11.
A move to Melbourne Victory the following season was not as successful as he had hoped and since returning to Brisbane, Solorzano has shown flashes of the hot form of 2010-11 but injuries have restricted his game minutes.
Now fully fit, his hard-working style across the front line seems ideally suited to the structures and high presses Head Coach John Aloisi has introduced to the Roar this season.
“I am always a positive person,” the easy-going Solorzano said.
“When difficult times come, that is when you have to be a bit more stronger and try to recover a bit better.
“Now I am getting the chance to be back, I am going to try and take my opportunities.
“There are a lot of positive signs, the team has shown a lot of character, we keep believing in our game and that is really important for us.
“It doesn’t matter who we are playing against, we always try to play our game. In the end, we are getting the results which is the most important thing.”
Solorzano (above, centre, with Henrique and Dimitri Petratos) Â has urged Brisbane fans to turn out in force on Sunday, calling the home crowd the side’s “12th man”.
“They always give us an extra push when the team is going through a difficult time in the game,” he said.
“They are a big part of the team so hopefully there will be a good crowd this weekend.”
To book your tickets for Sunday’s match, click here
Brisbane Roar FC squad: 3. Shane STEFANUTTO, 5. Corey BROWN, 7. CORONA, 9. Jamie MACLAREN, 10. HENRIQUE, 11. Jean Carlos SOLORZANO, 13. Jade NORTH, 14. Daniel BOWLES, 15. James DONACHIE, 16. Devante CLUT, 17. Matt McKAY (c), 18. Javier HERVAS, 19. Jack HINGERT, 21. Jamie YOUNG (gk), 22. Thomas BROICH, 23. Dimitri PETRATOS, 28. Brandon BORRELLO, 36. Andre JANNESE (gk) **two to be omitted**
Ins: 5. Corey BROWN, 16. Devante CLUT, 28. Brandon BORRELLO (all promoted)Â Outs:Â 8. Steven LUSTICA (abdominal strain, 2 weeks)
Unavailable: – Nil
Melbourne City FC squad:Â 1. Thomas SORENSEN (GK), 3. Aaron HUGHES, 5. Ivan FRANJIC, 6. Erik PAARTALU, 8. Aaron MOOY, 9. Harry NOVILLO, 10. Robert KOREN, 15. David WILLIAMS, 18. Paulo RETRE, 19. Ben GARUCCIO, 20. Tando VELAPHI (GK), 21. Stefan MAUK, 22. Jack CLISBY, 23. Bruno FORNAROLI, 24. Patrick KISNORBO, 25. Jacob MELING, 34. Stefan ZINNI and 36. Matt MILLAR **two to be omitted**
Ins:Â 25. Jacob MELLING (promoted), 34. Stefan ZINNI (promoted) and 36. Matt MILLAR (promoted)
Outs:Â 30. Hernan ESPINDOLA (not selected)
Unavailable: 4. Connor CHAPMAN (knee – 2-3 months), 7. Corey GAMEIRO (knee – 2-3 months), 14. James BROWN (foot – 2 weeks), 26. Marc MARINO (knee – 3 weeks)
Referee: Jarred Gillett; Assistant Referee 1: Nathan MacDonald; Assistant Referee 2: Ashley Beecham;Â Fourth Official: Alex King.
TV: Live coverage on FOX SPORTS 505 from 6pm (Qld time) and Sky Sport 3 (New Zealand)
Radio: 612 ABC Brisbane, 774 ABC Melbourne, ABC Local Radio Qld, ABC Local Radio Vic, Grandstand Digital, Online & via the ABC Radio Mobile App – A-league Live.
Join the conversation on Twitter using the hash-tag #BRIvMCY
