SANDY, Utah (Sept. 2, 2012) – Four Real Salt Lake players – MF Kyle Beckerman (USA), GK Nick Rimando (USA), FW Álvaro Saborío (Costa Rica) and MF Will Johnson (Canada) – have been called by their respective national teams for FIFA World Cup Qualifying matches on Sept. 7 and Sept. 11.
This is the second time in the last month that these four players have been called up for international duty. All four were a part of their respective national sides’ during the Aug. 15 FIFA date.
Beckerman, Saborío and Johnson all left Salt Lake City on Sunday – all three will miss RSL’s league match at Houston on Thursday, Sept. 6. Rimando won’t miss any action for the Claret-and-Cobalt, remaining available for selection against Houston before joining the U.S. national team in Columbus ahead of their Sept. 11 home match against Jamaica.
Beckerman, RSL’s captain, has appeared 22 times for the U.S. and has scored once in international play. A favorite of U.S. manager Jurgen Klinsmann, Beckerman started and played the full 90 minutes in the U.S.’s historic 1-0 win at Mexico on Aug. 15. The 30-year-old defensive midfielder figures to play a big role in the U.S.’s upcoming home-and-home against Jamaica, likely to start both games with first-choice central midfielder Michael Bradley out due to injury.
Rimando has six caps for the U.S. team. The 33-year-old ‘keeper was also a part of the U.S. team that beat Mexico, though he didn’t feature in the game, staying on the bench behind starting goalie Tim Howard. Rimando has started 26 league games for RSL in 2012, posting a 13-10-3 record while notching eight shutouts.
Saborío, 30, will look to earn his 72nd and 73rd caps for Costa Rica when they take on Mexico in a home-and-home qualifier set. Saborío is enjoying a banner year in his third season with RSL, notching a team-high 14 goals and adding two assists in 28 MLS games in 2012. Saborío – who is currently tied for second in the MLS Golden Boot race –last played for Costa Rica on Aug. 15, going the full 90 in the Ticos’ 1-0 home loss to Peru.
Canada has called in Johnson for its qualifier set against Panama. The 25-year-old midfielder is enjoying another fine season with RSL, most recently scoring the game-winning goal in Saturday’s 1-0 home win over D.C. United. A regular starter for the Canadian national team, Johnson – who played all 90 minutes and scored for Canada against Trinidad & Tobago on Aug. 15 – will be looking for caps 29 and 30 of his career.
All four of RSL’s international players will be back with the team and available for RSL’s Sept. 18 CONCACAF Champions League game at Panamanian club Tauro FC.
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