SANDY, Utah - If the recently completed round of qualificatiers is any indicator, it looks like three Real Salt Lake players could be going to next summer's FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
The U.S. and Costa Rica both qualified for the 2014 World Cup on Tuesday night, with the U.S. earning its berth by beating Mexico 2-0 in Columbus and Honduras holding Panama to a 2-2 tie and Costa Rica punching its ticket with a 1-1 draw at Jamaica combined with Mexico's loss and Panama's draw.
RSL Captain Kyle Beckerman went the full 90 and goalkeeper Nick Rimando sat on the bench for the U.S. in its 2-0 win over El Tri at Crew Stadium, while Saborio - who left Costa Rica camp on Monday due to injury - undoubtedly watched his Ticos advance from Salt Lake. All three players have been a major part of their respective national sides during the current World Cup cycle, and all three figure to have a major shot at making their country's 23-man roster for next summer's tournament in Brazil.
The Claret-and-Cobalt sent one player to both the 2006 and 2010 World Cups, with defender Eddie Pope representing RSL with the U.S. team at the 2006 tournament in Germany and forward Robbie Findley suiting up for the Stars-and-Stripes at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Both Beckerman and Rimando will travel back to Salt Lake City on Wednesday. Both will be available for selection for Friday's crucial, nationally televised clash at Western Conference rival Seattle Sounders FC.
