SANDY, Utah – Real Salt Lake Captain Kyle Beckerman and goalkeeper Nick Rimando will both suit up for the U.S. national team Tuesday night, taking on Mexico at 6 p.m. MT on ESPN in a World Cup Qualifier at Crew Stadium in Columbus.
Neither Beckerman nor Rimando played in the Americans’ 3-1 qualifying loss at Costa Rica on Friday, but Beckerman could very well get the start tonight with fellow center midfielders Michael Bradley (injury) and Geoff Cameron (yellow card accumulation) out for the match. Rimando will be the U.S.’s third ‘keeper and is unlikely to play behind Tim Howard and Brad Guzan.
Beckerman, Rimando and the U.S. will qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup on Tuesday night with a win over archrival Mexico and a Panama loss/draw in its World Cup Qualifier at Honduras.
RSL forward Alvaro Saborio left Costa Rican camp and returned to the States on Monday due to injury, but his Ticos could also qualify for the World Cup on Tuesday. Costa Rica – which leads the CONCACAF Hexagonal with 14 points – would qualify for Brazil with a win at Jamaica combined with a Mexico loss/tie at the U.S. or a draw at Jamaica combined with a Mexico loss and a Panama loss/tie at Honduras.
Both Rimando and Beckerman will return to Real Salt Lake following Tuesday’s match. Both will be available for the Claret-and-Cobalt’s nationally televised match on Friday at Seattle Sounders FC.
