In some parts of the world, Edgaras Jankauskas could have sent along his resume and had a contract in his hand before he boarded a plane.
One glance at Jankauskas' exploits makes that approach understandable. The 34-year-old Lithuanian striker has appeared more than 50 times for his country. Jankauskas played for Portuguese giants FC Porto when the club won the UEFA Cup and the UEFA Champions League in 2003 and 2004. He also starred for Benfica, Real Sociedad, Hearts and CSKA Moscow at various points during his lengthy career.
That resume wasn't enough to earn Jankauskas a deal with New England sight unseen. Instead of boarding the plane with a contract already signed, Jankauskas had to settle for the hope of earning a deal at the end of his four-day trial with the Revolution.
"You can't sign someone on what they did previously," Revs coach Steve Nicol said. "You have to see what he can give you now."
Jankauskas' recent club history is decidedly less glamorous than the heights he had reached earlier in his career. After ending a loan stint at Hearts in 2007, Jankauskas spent time in Cyprus and Portugal before playing last season with Latvian powerhouse Skonto Riga.
Nicol said he had seen tapes of Jankauskas playing in Latvia, but wanted to take a closer look and evaluate his fitness.
"We haven't seen him (in person)," Nicol said. "When you see someone for two or three days, it's a big enough gamble. He hasn't played since just before Christmas. That factored in to it as well."
In his short time with the Revs, Jankauskas needs to find a way to immerse himself in the team while impressing Nicol and his potential future teammates. Revolution defender Jay Heaps said Jankauskas has settled in quickly.
"We're getting a feel for him," Heaps said. "He's working into the group well. He's a big guy. He's good in the air. Now we just have to get him playing every day, see his speed of play and see if he's going to be someone we're going to build on for the rest of the season."
Nicol is actively searching for a target forward to cover for the injured Taylor Twellman and allow makeshift striker Shalrie Joseph to return to his natural home in central midfield. Jankauskas' 6-foot-4 frame makes him the ideal candidate to fill that role.
"He can obviously win the ball and hold the ball," Heaps said. "That's going to be his strength."
The Revolution attack requires more than just a large body to serve as its point man. The target player needs to operate as an active outlet willing to hold the ball and distribute it quickly in order to maintain possession. Heaps said the big Lithuanian has the deftness to deal with those responsibilities as well.
"I've been happily surprised at some of his foot skills," Heaps said. "He definitely has some nice feet. That's an added advantage for sure."
Even though Jankauskas might still have the touch and the feet to play in MLS, Nicol and vice president of player personnel Michael Burns have to determine whether Jankauskas can contribute right away and whether they want to create roster room -- the Revs would need to free up an international player slot and a roster spot somehow -- for him should they decide to offer him a deal.
That decision won't be made until Jankauskas wraps up his trial on Saturday, but Nicol said he has liked what he has seen to this point.
"The guy's got tools," Nicol said. "He knows how to play. So far, so good."
Kyle McCarthy is a contributor to MLSnet.com.
