SANDY, Utah – Real Salt Lake Captain Kyle Beckerman has been added to the U.S. Men’s National Team roster for Tuesday’s sold-out World Cup Qualifier against Honduras at Rio Tinto Stadium.
Beckerman joins RSL GK Nick Rimando as the two Claret-and-Cobalt players on the U.S. roster, which arrived in Salt Lake on Thursday following Tuesday’s win over Panama in a World Cup Qualifier in Seattle.
Beckerman has 25 appearances for the United States, and served as team captain in the 0-0 draw against Canada on Jan. 29 in Houston. Beckerman, who was called in for the last round of World Cup Qualifiers against Costa Rica and at Mexico in March, started in central midfield in the U.S.’s historic 1-0 victory at Mexico on Aug. 15, 2012. He played in the previous World Cup Qualifier at Rio Tinto Stadium, coming off the bench and playing 10 minutes in the U.S. 2-1 victory over El Salvador at the Sandy facility on Sept. 5, 2009. Beckerman has one goal and three assists in 14 MLS games this year.
The 31-year-old Beckerman will not miss any MLS matches while with the U.S. Beckerman and Rimando, as well as RSL FW Alvaro Saborio (Costa Rica) and DF Abdoulie Mansally (The Gambia), will all return from international duty in time for the Utah side’s June 22 home game against Seattle Sounders FC.
Beckerman, Rimando and RSL DF Tony Beltran are all on the U.S.’s preliminary roster for the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup, while Saborio is on Costa Rica’s preliminary squad. Rio Tinto Stadium will host a Gold Cup doubleheader on Saturday, July 13, with the U.S. taking on Cuba in the opener before Costa Rica faces Belize in the nightcap. Tickets for the Gold Cup doubleheader are on sale at the Rio Tinto Stadium box office, online at www.RioTintoStadium.com or over the phone at 801-727-2700.
