RSL’S KYLE BECKERMAN NAMED TO U.S. MEN'S NATIONAL TEAM ROSTER FOR
FRIENDLY AT BELGIUM
Midfielder Earns Chance to Build on Strong Showing vs.
Mexico during Sept. 6 Exhibition in Brussels;
RSL Captain to be Available for Claret-and-Cobalt for
Sept. 3 Showdown vs. Philadelphia Union in Sandy
SANDY, Utah (Thursday, August 25, 2011) – Real Salt Lake midfielder and captain Kyle Beckerman has been named by U.S. Men’s National Team Head Coach Jurgen Klinsmann to the 24-player roster that will prepare for upcoming exhibition contests against Costa Rica and Belgium. Through an arrangement with U.S. Soccer, Beckerman will remain with Real Salt Lake for the squad’s return to Rio Tinto Stadium against the Philadelphia Unionnext Saturday, Sept. 3 (7:00 p.m. MT kickoff), making him unavailable for theprevious night’s USA-Costa Rica friendly at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. (9:00 p.m. MT; ESPN2/ESPN3.com/Galavision). Following his club appearance next weekend, Beckerman will join up with the United States contingent to make the trans-Atlantic trip to Brussels for the Sept. 6 exhibition against Belgium at King Baudouin Stadium (12:30 p.m. MT; ESPN/ESPN3.com)
The start of the “Klinsmann Era” for the U.S. Men’s National Team has breathed fresh life into the international career of the 29-year-old Beckerman, who earned his first call-up for the United States’ “A” squad in nearly two years earlier this month for the new head coach’s debut against CONCACAF archrival Mexico. Beckerman’s sturdy 90-minute effort at the defensive midfield spot on Aug. 10 against El Tri drew rave reviews from many soccer pundits and Klinsmann himself, as the Crofton, Md. native’s 13th international “cap” helped the USA to a 1-1 comeback draw at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
“I feel very honored anytime I get a chance to represent my country. It's great to have another opportunity to build upon what I was able to do at the last camp and in the game against Mexico,” said Beckerman. “I also appreciate Coach Klinsmann and U.S. Soccer for being flexible and allowing me to stick around with RSL next weekend for what will be a very important game against Philadelphia.”
Prior to the Mexico contest, the RSL captain’s last senior team appearance came in February 2010, when he started and played 79 minutes in a 2-1 friendly win over El Salvador in Tampa. Other highlights from Beckerman’s 13 caps include a pair of appearances in the 2007 Copa America tournament in Venezuela; six appearances (five starts) during the USA’s run to the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup Final; and his World Cup Qualifying debut on Sept. 5, 2009, on his home turf of Rio Tinto Stadium, when he played the final 10 minutes in a 2-1 victory, also against El Salvador.
Beckerman is one of 11 players representing Major League Soccer in Klinsmann’s second camp, a contingent spread across nine clubs and led by two players each from FC Dallas and the New York Red Bulls. The 24-man group also includes 13 players plying their trade internationally across seven countries, including three players each from Mexican and German sides.
“We are excited to get the group back together and to see some fresh new faces,” said Klinsmann. “We will continue to get to know the players and gather some valuable information during our 10 days together. Hopefully we can continue where we left off from the game against Mexico.”
Along with Beckerman, many of the players from the 1-1 draw against Mexico in Philadelphia are returning for their second camp under Klinsmann. In goal, Tim Howard enters with 66 caps to his credit and is joined again by 20-year-old Bill Hamid, a U.S. Soccer Development Academy product who was the first D.C. United Academy player to sign with the first team. Two-time World Cup veteran Carlos Bocanegra is now just six games shy of reaching 100 caps, and comes from Glasgow following his move last week to Rangers. He will patrol the center of the backline along with 2010 FIFA World Cup teammate Clarence Goodson, the captain of Brondby in Denmark, who missed the last USA contest through injury. A pair of right backs from the Bundesliga in Germany are part of the group, Hannover captain Steve Cherundolo having started against Mexico while Timmy Chandler is making his second appearance in a national team camp after debuting against Argentina in March. Edgar Castillo, who started against Mexico, and Chivas USA defender Heath Pearce make up the options for the left side of the backline.
Clint Dempsey will make his first appearance
with Klinsmann at the helm, the Fulham-based midfielder currently No. 5 on the
USA’s all-time list for both goals (22) and points (53). Maurice Edu comes from
three-time defending Scottish Premier League champion Rangers, and is joined in
the center of the park by MLS midfielders Beckerman and Jeff Larentowicz. Jose
Torres is back after his start against Mexico, while Sacha Kljestan – who plays
for Anderlecht in Belgium – gets his first look with the new head coach. FC
Dallas sends Brek Shea, who is currently in third place in scoring in MLS this
season behind Landon Donovan and Thierry Henry as the 21-year-old has netted 10
goals in 25 games. Robbie Rogers returns after scoring the
game-tying goal against Mexico, with Shea providing the assist.
The USA’s all-time leading scorer, Donovan leads the attacking corps with 46
goals in 137 international appearances. Jozy Altidore joins after settling in
at new club AZ Alkmaar in Holland where he already has three goals to his
credit. Juan Agudelo, the first Development Academy alumnus to play for the
full national team, appeared in five of six matches in the 2011 Gold Cup.
Sporting Kansas City forward Teal Bunbury has two caps to his credit and scored
his first international goal at The Home Depot Center, his penalty tying the
game in the eventual
1-1 draw on Jan. 22 against Chile.
Klinsmann has once again selected to his assistant coaching staff RSL-Arizona Academy Director Martin Vasquez, who will rejoin Thomas Dooley and Tab Ramos for the upcoming matches. Making guest appearances as goalkeeper coaches will be Ian Feuer from Los Angeles Galaxy for the match against Costa Rica, and Chris Woods – Tim Howard’s goalkeeper coach at Everton – in Belgium.
U.S. ROSTER BY POSITION –Detailed Roster
GOALKEEPERS (2):Bill Hamid (D.C. United), Tim Howard (Everton)
DEFENDERS (9):Carlos Bocanegra (Rangers), Edgar Castillo (Club America), Timmy Chandler (FC Nürnberg), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover), Clarence Goodson (Brondby), Zach Loyd (FC Dallas), Michael Orozco Fiscal (San Luis), Heath Pearce (Chivas USA), Tim Ream (New York Red Bulls)
MIDFIELDERS (9): Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Clint Dempsey (Fulham), Maurice Edu (Rangers), Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim), Sacha Kljestan (Anderlecht), Jeff Larentowicz (Colorado Rapids), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew), Brek Shea (FC Dallas), Jose Torres (Pachuca)
FORWARDS (4):Juan Agudelo (New York Red Bulls), Jozy Altidore (AZ Alkmaar), Teal Bunbury (Sporting Kansas City), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy)
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