It was a big step, beating Holland and Germany in Europe, but U.S. National Team midfielder and Real Salt Lake captain Kyle Beckerman knows that it was far from a pronouncement that U.S. Soccer is ready to be comparable with the likes of the top teams in the world.
“The biggest test would be if it was in a World Cup. But in order to start beating them in a World Cup, it’s good to start practicing and beating them when you get a friendly against them,” Beckerman said on Monday in his first training session back with RSL. “There are a lot of positives from it that we’ll take and will help continue growing soccer. Our main goal is to start beating them in the World Cup, but this was a big step in the right direction.”
Beckerman started in Amsterdam when the U.S. stormed back from a 3-1 deficit to top the Netherlands 4-3, then keyed a second-half turnaround in a 2-1 win over Germany in Cologne, drawing praise from Head Coach Jurgen Klinsmann. While just friendlies, the matches served as good preparation and confidence-builders for the U.S. as it heads into this summer’s CONCACAF Gold Cup and beyond.
Beckerman now has 45 caps with the national team and these ones, he said, were easy to get up for.
“Anytime you have a chance to play against the No. 1 team in the world or a top-five team in their place, it’s just an exciting time. Anytime it’s a national team game, you’re up for it, but you put those names in front of the team you’re playing against and it makes it a little more exciting,” he said. “The experience was something I’ll 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. To take full advantage of it and get the wins was a neat thing.”
While the results were important for the U.S. National Team – it was the first win for the Americans over Germany outside of U.S. soil – but now the focus for the Stars and Stripes turns to the next set of games on the international calendar.
“Soccer never stops,” he smiled. “It was a great feeling. We’re all really happy for each other and proud. It was a big game, but it’s just another game. There were some celebratory moments and we knew it was a big win, but we’re going to get too out of hand with.”
The U.S. will face Guatemala in a friendly on July 3 before starting Group Stage play for the CONCACAF Gold Cup on July 7. In Group A, Klinsmann’s crew will face Honduras, Haiti and Panama.
