It’s official. Kyle Beckerman is back for his 14th season with Real Salt Lake.
Beckerman, 37, joined his teammates for their first training session of the 2020 season on Monday morning and although his return had been announced just moments prior, it was all business for the club’s captain.
“It feels great to be back on the field with all of the guys,” Beckerman said after training. “I was always interested in returning to play. Now we’re here and I’m excited to get to work and help the team out again this year.”
Throughout Beckerman’s career his mindset has been strictly set to help the team however he can. Whether he starts every game, or doesn’t play at all, Major League Soccer’s all-time leader in regular-season games played, games started and minutes played wants to do whatever he can to help the team succeed and progress.
“All I want to do is help the team in any way that I can,” Beckerman explained. “I want to help in any way I can just like I’ve done in years past. I just need to be ready, available, fit and in form for the coach to choose if he wants to. But, it’s just one day at time and over the years I’ve realized that every day could be your last. I’m going to give it my all and see what happens.”
Having worn the captain’s armband and leading the club to its most successful seasons, Beckerman now enters his 14th season as the oldest player on the roster. For Beckerman, being the oldest on the roster doesn’t just give him an advantage on the field due to experience but also the opportunity to tie a young locker room together to be successful.
The positivity and work ethic he brings to the locker room reflects onto everyone that sets foot onto the grounds in Sandy and Herriman. And with a 21-year career in MLS comes valuable experience for a team that is committed to developing young talent, which exemplifies exactly what the club needs in a captain.
“Kyle is a great friend and a great person for the guys,” RSL Head Coach Freddy Juarez said. “He can talk to the young guys and connect them with the older guys on the team. When you have someone with as much experience at the club like he does, it means a lot to the club, almost calming. It’s nice to have him here with the group and he’s a big part of this team.”
Added RSL General Manager Elliot Fall: “We’re thrilled that he’s back with us. What Kyle means to this club and hat he’s done for this organization you can’t put words to. The importance he’s played in what we’ve done is great.”
Moving into the 2020 season Beckerman remains next in line to reach 500 regular season games played having 488 to his name already and with his leadership, work ethic and success, he could very well become the second player in league history to reach the milestone and add to his illustrious career.
RSL – together with Beckerman – will kick off its 16th season in MLS on February 29 at Orlando City SC before returning home to welcome the New York Red Bulls to Rio Tinto Stadium on March 7. RSL season tickets are available at RSL.com or by calling 844.REAL.TIX.
