Greatest Moments In Kyle Beckerman’s Adorned Career
Dec 21, 2020, 12:19 PM
Kyle Beckerman #5 of Real Salt Lake poses with the Philip F. Anschutz MLS Cup trophy following their win in the MLS Cup final at Qwest Field on November 22, 2009 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images for MLS)
(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images for MLS)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – When Kyle Beckerman looks back on his 20 professional seasons in Major League Soccer the Real Salt Lake legend will be reminded of how fortunate he was to survive so many years doing what he loves; dominating the midfield battle every single week.
Throughout his career, Beckerman made plays that will forever be engraved in his, and his fans, memory.
Thank you pic.twitter.com/QSSJIJE4k8
— Kyle Beckerman (@KyleBeckerman) December 21, 2020
2009 MLS Cup Fairytale
Beckerman captained Real Salt Lake to their only MLS Cup championship after a cinderella fairytale playoff run in 2009.
The journey ended against the mighty David Beckham led LA Galaxy in the final. After a back and forth game RSL found a way to defeat the Galaxy in a penalty shootout that ended 5-4 despite Beckerman having his penalty denied by a diving Galaxy goalkeeper.
The 2009 playoffs was a perfect culmination of never giving up for Beckerman and RSL. Their MLS Cup-winning run came as a surprise to every soccer fan across the world. However, without Beckerman’s leadership, guidance, and perseverance RSL would not have been able to defy the odds.
It was a very Beckerman esque salute to conclude the 2009 MLS season.
2014 FIFA World Cup
Beckerman has 58 caps for his beloved United States of America. However, the three games that stand taller than the rest came during the group stage of the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
An icon.
The embodiment of everything #RSL stands for & aspires to be every day.
You paved the path & laid the foundation for our club.
Your legacy will live on forever.
Thank you, Captain. For everything. pic.twitter.com/VgIFgUe1sN
— Real Salt Lake (@realsaltlake) December 21, 2020
The U.S. was slated to play in Group G; otherwise known around the world as the Group of Death.
Remarkably, Beckerman started in all three group stage games and willed the Americans to advance into the Round of 16. Beckerman played a massive role anchoring the heart of the U.S. midfield. He, along with his teammates, managed a 2-1 win to open the proceedings against Ghana; followed by a 2-2 draw against Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal; and a 1-0 defeat to the eventual champions Germany.
His performances were inspiring, uplifting, and fearless.
It was the only World Cup of Beckerman’s career.
Worldie In Portland
A holding midfielder is not known to score goals from 30 yards out. But Kyle Beckerman was no average holding midfielder. The dreadlocked number five received the ball from teammate Tony Beltran, took a touch, realized he had time, and was not being pressured so tapped the ball forward and unleashed a shot that would creep under the woodwork and into the top left corner of the net.
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It was a goal for the ages. A wonder strike. A peach.
Whatever you want to call it, it was beautiful.
The ball didn’t have much spin, in fact, he hit it so pure that it knuckled through the air, barely missing the outreached fingertips of Portlands goalkeeper before kissing the back of the net.
Again, this goal wasn’t special because it was scored by a player who wasn’t known for scoring goals. Rather, this goal was special because it defied the odds of physics. If Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo had scored the exact same goal it would be up there with the greatest goals of their career.
