SANDY — Kyle Beckerman made his 15th start in as many games Sunday evening for Real Salt Lake, helping the club find the 2-1 result over Sporting Kansas City.
It has been a busy year for the RSL captain, whose tenure with the United States national team continues to thrive just a year removed from last year's quarterfinal run in the FIFA World Cup.
“He’s just an amazing captain for this team, amazing master for this club and he’ll do anything for his teammates for the club and for the fans. You couldn’t ask for more,” said head coach Jeff Cassar.
Beckerman departed from RSL to Amsterdam after the May 30th game in Vancouver to play for the USMNT’s scheduled friendlies against Netherlands and reigning world champion Germany.
Without missing a minute for RSL, Beckerman tallied 108 minutes for head coach Jurgen Klinsmann in two special victories for the national team.
“With the names that were being billed, it was easy to get up for. Any time you have the chance to play against the No. 1 team in the world, or a top-5 team, in their place, it’s just an exciting time,” said Beckerman, adding that the opportunity offers an unique experience.
“The experience is really something that I will never forget. Just to be able to play in those two big stadiums in Europe, playing against the No. 1 and the third or fourth place team in the World Cup, it’s just an experience you’re not always going to get. So, to take full advantage out of it and to get the wins was a unique thing.”
Some folks might say that these friendlies mean nothing in the grand scheme of things. Germany most certainly didn’t send out the first-team in Cologne, nor did the Netherlands.
It’s simply more of seeing the big picture.
“The biggest test would be if it was in a World Cup, but I think in order to start beating them in the World Cup it’s good to start practicing and beating them when you get a friendly against them,” said Beckerman, adding that Germany didn’t just lay down and give the U.S. the result. “They didn’t come out to play the game not to win, and we were able to win the game. So, there are a lot of positives from it that we’ll take and I think that will help continue growing soccer.”
Adding to the slew of international duty, Beckerman and RSL goalkeeper Nick Rimando are expected to be included in Klinsmann’s USA side for the upcoming Gold Cup.
“Soccer never stops,” joked Beckerman.
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