The 1999 U.S. U-17 national team was loaded with future senior team stars like Landon Donovan, DaMarcus Beasley, Oguchi Onyewu and Bobby Convey. Real Salt Lake’s Kyle Beckerman isn’t often mentioned in the same breath as these guys, but if recent performances are anything to go by, he may soon be, says ESPN’s Jeff Carlisle.
As Beckerman’s ’99 teammates were seeing first-team action as early as 2001, he was toiling on the bench at the now-defunct Miami Fusion. “Watching them play and feeling like I was on the same level as them, it was frustrating, yet it was something I couldn’t control,” the 25-year-old Beckerman admits. It wasn’t until 2006 that Beckerman enjoyed a breakout year, guiding the Colorado Rapids to the MLS Cup semifinals. However, at the beginning of this season, both he and the Rapids suffered a dip in form; the result was his mid-season trade to RSL. “In Colorado, it wasn’t the same as last year,” Beckerman said. “We were changing formations and lineups, and I rarely got to play with Pablo [Mastroeni] in midfield, so I would just sit in front of the back four instead of getting forward.”
Carlisle says it’s clear that RSL coach Jason Kreis is building his side around Beckerman. And so far, it’s working: the team’s in the midst of a two-game winning streak that’s lifted it off the bottom of the MLS standings. “Just the amount of work [Beckerman] puts in all over the field is amazing,” Kreis said. “He’s not scared to put a foot or shoulder into guys. He’s a true competitor. His attitude is fantastic … and he’s still got a lot of soccer in front of him.”