LEHI — Kyle Beckerman is skipping the MLS All-Star Game.
There's a chance the Real Salt Lake midfielder wouldn't be healthy enough anyway, but that's a moot point. He has already made up his mind to skip an opportunity to play Manchester United in Houston on July 28.
"I'm not going to. I'm going to stay here and stay healthy for Real. Yeah, it's a great experience to play against Man U., but it means nothing, it does nothing for us here," said Beckerman.
RSL's captain has been sidelined since May 22 with a torn tendon in his left foot, but he is optimistic about returning to the field either this weekend at FC Dallas or on July 24 at home against Chivas USA.
Risking further injury just a few days later in an exhibition match just isn't worth it.
His coach is ecstatic about the decision, but not surprised.
"There are other players around the league that would make the decision to go play in that game," said RSL coach Jason Kreis. "Kyle puts the team first, which is a lot of the reason why he wears the arm band every week."
If Beckerman did want to join fellow RSL teammates Javier Morales and Jamison Olave in Houston, Kreis said he'd support the decision because he realizes what a unique opportunity it is for the players.
However, with RSL in the midst of its best season in franchise history and in the hunt for the MLS Supporter's Shield, Kreis is relieved with his captain's decision.
Beckerman is somewhat content to miss the MLS All-Star Game because he was a part of last summer's showcase at Rio Tinto Stadium against Everton. He was joined by fellow RSL players Will Johnson and Morales.
Johnson agrees with Beckerman's decision to skip the match, but as a whole he's disappointed with the direction of the MLS All-Star Game.
"The All-Star game in reality doesn't mean anything. The MLS says it means something, but it doesn't, because we have all these other competitions going on," said Johnson. "It's not as prestigious as it should be playing an unreal club like Man United. It all seems like a bit more bang than buck."
In addition to Beckerman, upwards of five other MLS First XI players won't be available to start because their club plays a CONCACAF Champions League qualifying match the night before. Four L.A. Galaxy players and Toronto's Dwayne DeRosario will join the All-Stars in Houston on the day of the match, but their availability will be limited.
More Galaxy and Toronto players might be forced to miss the match when the MLS All-Star reserves are announced next week. Then there's the Seattle Sounders, who play a CCL match on the same night as the MLS All-Star Game.
"As in a lot of things in our game, there's no right answer, there's no perfect answer," said Kreis.
For Beckerman, bypassing an opportunity to play Manchester United in this situation was an easy answer. First, he needs to get healthy though, and he believes his return is close.
"I think this weekend or next weekend. It's definitely getting closer; it's feeling a lot better," he said. "(Tuesday) was a really good day; I felt like I was almost back to my old self. (Wednesday) didn't feel as good. We'd like to have no pain at all, but if we can get it do to where I can deal with it, that's fine."
e-mail: jedward@desnews.com