LEHI, Utah - If you need an example of a top-notch player in Major League Soccer who continues to bring a workman-like approach to the game, that’s Real Salt Lake’s Kyle Beckerman, according to his Head Coach, Jason Kreis.
“I think Kyle is the player that should be a case in point and a learning instrument for all of the players out here,” Kreis told MLSsoccer.com after a recent training session. “He’s been a good player in this league for a very long time, and it seems like every year he adds another dimension to his game.”
“This year, he’s added being able to serve balls off of corner kicks and longer free kicks bent into the box,” said the RSL boss, “and he’s doing a fantastic job with it. Here’s a player who’s already among the top echelon of our league, and he continues to work, he continues to improve because he wants to become a complete player.”
The addition of this skill was born out of necessity, as RSL lost their primary dead ball specialist, Javier Morales, to injury early in the season.
“I try to put in some extra practice time,” explained Beckerman, “because [set pieces] are so important especially in our league, where they really can change games. The game can be pretty even and a free kick can unlock a deadlock.”
He’s learned that the key is just simply hard work.
“Practicing after practice, and just having the confidence that you are going to put in a good ball,” are the keys according to the RSL Captain. “When you do that, the guys that are making the runs are a little bit more confident that they’re going to get on the end of it.”
This isn’t the first major skill that the player currently in the mix with the U.S. Men’s National Team has added to his repertoire.
“It used to be that I’d have told you that I didn’t think he could hit the side of a barn with a shot outside of 18 yards,” explained Kreis. “And he works on it and works on it and works on it, and now I’ll tell you he puts the ball on frame more than anybody around from 18-yards away.”
It’s that kind of effort and desire that has earned praise from Kreis, and that perhaps sets him apart as a player that can be an example for those still trying to develop their game.
“For every young player, they should look at Kyle Beckerman and say ‘I’m a talented player, but I can add this.’”
