RSL captain Kyle Beckerman and Claret-and-Cobalt goalkeeper Nick Rimando were both part of history on Wednesday night.
Beckerman and Rimando were both in the U.S. squad that beat Mexico 1-0 at the famed Estadio Azteca on Wednesday – the Americans’ first-ever win over El Tri on Mexican soil. Beckerman played a huge role in the game, going all 90 minutes, starting the play that led to the U.S. goal, distributing effectively and defending valiantly. Rimando backed up starting goalie Tim Howard and didn’t feature in the match.
Beckerman was one of the U.S.’s better players on the night. The dreadlocked dynamo completed 25 of his 30 passes, made three tackles and intercepted three balls. His biggest play came in the 80th minute, when he hit Brek Shea with an inch-perfect pass to set up the FC Dallas winger for his run in the box that led to the game’s lone goal.
Captain Kyle also nearly scored a goal of his own, barely missing the top corner with an audacious chip from distance in the first half.
Of course, Beckerman and Rimando weren’t the only RSL players on international duty on Wednesday night -- Canadian midfielder Will Johnson and Costa Rican forward Alvaro Saborio were also in action.
Johnson played a solid game, going the full 90 in the midfield and scoring a penalty kick goal in the 86th minute of Canada’s 2-0 win over Trinidad & Tobago in Lauderhill, Fla.
Saborio wasn’t as successful, playing all 90 minutes in Costa Rica’s 1-0 home loss against nine-man Peru.
