Kyle Beckerman

Most players begin to think about the next stage of their careers after 13 seasons in the pros, the portion involving final contracts, farewell tours and the like. However, most players aren’t like Kyle Beckerman, who continued to improve and reach new heights for both club and country in 2012. The Claret-and-Cobalt captain led the Utah side to all-time highs in points and wins while appearing in two World Cup Qualifiers, captaining the U.S. in its January 2013 friendly against Canada and playing the full 90 in the Stars-and-Stripes’ historic August 2012 1-0 win against Mexico at the famed Estadio Azteca.

The 30-year-old Beckerman should continue to excel in 2013, a year in which he’ll make his 300^th career MLS regular season appearance and continue to play a role for the USMNT as it continues its qualifying campaign for the 2014 World Cup Finals in Brazil. Hungry as ever, Beckerman will be ready to lead RSL right out of the gates in his 14^th season in MLS.

Acquired

RSL: Via trade from Colorado Rapids on 7/16/07 in exchange for MF Mehdi Ballouchy.

COL: Selected with the 11^th overall pick in the 2002 MLS Dispersal Draft from Miami Fusion FC on 2/11/02.

MIA: Signed with Miami Fusion FC on 6/29/00 after joining the Nike/U.S. Project-40 Program.

Professional Career

2012: Remained one of the league’s best players in a stellar 13^th MLS season, scoring four goals – the second-highest total of his career – and registering four assists … Despite leaving the squad regularly for U.S. Men’s National Team duty throughout the season, finished the season in the top-five on RSL with 30 games played (T-5^th), 29 games started (4^th), 2,592 minutes played (4^th), four goals scored (3^rd) and four assists (3^rd) … Scored the game-winning goal with a 90^th minute strike in RSL’s dramatic 3-2 win @POR on 3/31 … Registered the third 1 G, 1A performance of his career on 4/28 against TOR, scoring in the 7^th minute and assisting on Jonny Steele’s 93^rd minute game-winner in RSL’s 3-2 win … Notched the third multi-assist performance of his career with two helpers in RSL’s 3-0 win at Chivas USA on June 16 … Was shown a red card for his role in a scuffle in RSL’s 7/14 match @SJ … Was named to his sixth-straight MLS All-Star team in July, coming into the 7/31 All-Star Game at PPL Park in Philadelphia in the second-half and assisting on Eddie Johnson’s game-winning goal to down defending UEFA Champions League winners Chelsea FC 2-1 … Played in his 299^th MLS regular season appearance in the regular season finale against Vancouver on Oct. 27 …Went the full 90 minutes in both legs of RSL’s Western Conference Semifinal loss to Seattle Sounders FC … Was called-up in December to the U.S. Men’s National Team’s annual January camp

2011: Revamped his game during a sparkling 12^th MLS campaign, scoring three goals and tallying a career-best nine assists, the latter placing him tied for fifth across MLS in the category in 2011 … Despite leaving the squad regularly for U.S. Men’s National Team call-ups during the second half of the season, still finished in RSL’s top five with 29 appearances (4^th); 27 starts (3^rd); and 2,423 minutes played (3^rd) … Marked his 250^th MLS regular season appearance on 6/04 v. VAN with the game-winning assist (Alexandre, 32’) in a 2-0 victory … Notched the first multi-assist performance in his 255^th league appearance on 6/25 v. TOR, recording a pair of helpers, including one on Saborio’s 42^nd minute game-winner – in a 3-1 win … Waited until his 258^th regular season contest to record his first game with a goal and an assist, his multi-point performance on 7/23 v. SJ lifting RSL to an easy 4-0 win during the squad’s annual Pioneer Day Celebration … Surpassed his career single-season assist mark on 8/06 v. NY with another double-assist performance, recording his 6^th and 7^th helpers of the season – including another game-winner on Borchers’ 13^th minute tally – in a thorough 3-0 win in Sandy … Had another 1G/1A showing on 9/03 v. PHI, his opening salvo (18’) and assist on Schuler’s 26’ tally leading RSL to a 2-1 triumph … Helper on 9/17 v. SKC on Borchers’ 54^th minute goal in 1 1-0 victory was his 6^th game-winning assist of the season, eventually putting him into a second-place tie in the category alongside MVP candidate Brad Davis and behind only David Beckham … Head-butting incident against CHI’s Daniel Paladini on 9/28 v. CHI led to red card (11’) and additional two-game ban that resulted him sitting out the remainder of the regular season … Returned to the line-up for the MLS Cup Playoffs and went the full 90 minutes in both legs of the Western Conf. Semifinal Series win over Seattle (3-0 v. SEA on 10/29, 0-2 @ SEA on 11/02) and the Western Conference Championship against the LA Galaxy (1-3 L @ LA on 11/06) … After season ended in LA, joined USMNT for pair of European-based contests in France and Slovenia before embarking on a short training stint with German Bundesliga side FC Kaiserslautern.

2010: Notched three goals and three assists while logging 2,511 minutes across 30 appearances (28 starts) in all competitions … Injury reduced Beckerman to 21 starts and 22 appearances in regular season play, the respectable tallies still marking the durable midfielder’s lowest numbers in those categories since 2002 … Despite early-season absence, was voted to his first MLS All-Star First XI honor, marking his fourth straight All-Star recognition (removed himself from match roster vs. Manchester United to continue rehabbing injury) … Managed to move into RSL’s career top 5 in games played, starts, minutes, shots, fouls suffered and game-winning assists … Would start in five of RSL’s six CONCACAF Champions League appearances, missing only the group stage finale on 10/19 v. Cruz Azul (caution accumulation suspension) … Notched first point of season on 4/01 @ HOU, helping spring Javier Morales on RSL’s go-ahead goal (17’) in an eventual 1-2 loss … Logged 51 min. on 4/14 @ SJ in RSL’s Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup qualifying opener, entering in time to participate in a wild finish in the 3-3 draw and helping RSL advance by burying the squad’s 2^nd spot kick during its 5-3 PK victory … Notched first goal of the season in MLS play three days later on 4/17 @ LA in the first of two MLS Cup 2009 rematches (1-2 L) … Scored GWG on 5/08 v. PHI, his 27’ tally setting up a convincing 3-0 win … Just five days later on 5/13 v. HOU, notched GWA on Robbie Findley’s opening salvo just 3 minutes into a 3-1 win over the bitter Western Conference rival … Had been only RSL field player to play every minute of its first 8 MLS matches, a streak that ended on 05/22 @ CHV when he suffered a strained left foot (exited in 24^th minute) … That injury forced him to miss eight contests (7 MLS games and 6/02 @ DC Open Cup qualifier) between 5/29 v. KC and his 7/24 v. CHV return (RSL went 4-2-2 and bowed out of U.S. Open Cup qualifying in his absence) … Chipped ball from midfield on 9/04 v. NY would be finished by Fabian Espíndola, the 4^th minute tally marking all the scoring in a 1-0 win that equaled the longest home undefeated streak in League play at 22 games … Notched vital equalizer to bring RSL back from early deficit on 9/15 v. TOR in CCL play, heading home Andy Williams’ corner kick in 20^th minute of an eventual 4-1 win … Would play all 180 minutes across RSL’s Western Conference Semifinal Series v. DAL, making his 18^th and 19^th postseason appearances during the 2-3 aggregate series defeat.

2009: Started all 25 regular season appearances for RSL, his contributions went well beyond his three goals and pair of assists on the season … Also notched an assist while playing all 420 minutes in RSL’s four MLS Cup Playoff contests, captaining his squad to its first MLS Cup appearance and title … Started and played 66 min. on 4/28 @ SEA in Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup qualifying play … Became the youngest player in MLS history to appear in 200 regular season games on 5/06 v. LA (27 yrs, 13 days) … His RSL record 55-game starting streak was snapped 6/06 v. COL due to suspension (caution accumulation) … Snapped 11-game goalless streak with his 44’ tally on 6/27 v. TOR in a 3-0 win … Missed RSL’s contests on 7/18 @ CLB & 7/24 v. FCD while representing the USA during 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup … MLS All-Star nod in July was Beckerman’s third career (and consecutive) selection, but his first as a member of the 18-man active roster (Commissioner’s Pick w/ Javier Morales) … Became the first RSL player to start in an MLS All-Star Game on 7/29 at Rio Tinto Stadium, playing the first 45 min. in the League’s 3-4 PK loss to Everton FC (1-1 in regulation) … Missed 9/12 v. CHI match due to suspension (caution accumulation) … Started and played 45 min. on 10/07 v. CD Guadalajara (Chivas) (MEX), leaving the eventual 1-1 draw at the halftime break … Helped RSL make a quick comeback bid on 11/05 @ CLB in Leg Two of the Eastern Conf. Semifinal Series, his clever 37^th minute chip to Morales paying off in a goal that evened up the series at two goals apiece and opened RSL’s account in the 3-2 victory (4-2 aggregate) … MLS Cup 2009 at Seattle’s Qwest Field on 11/22 v. LA marked his first appearance in League’s title game after making three previous Conference Finals (’05 & ’06 with Rapids, ’08 with RSL) … Garnered MVP consideration with a standout 120 minutes against the Galaxy, helping to will the Utah side on to a 5-4 triumph in penalty kicks after coming back to register a 1-1 draw after regulation and overtime.

2008: Was a stalwart during his first full season with Real Salt Lake, starting all 38 MLS regular season, MLS Cup Playoff, U.S. Open Cup and international friendly contests for the team … Was one of two players on the Utah squad to play in and start all 30 regular season contests (w/ Rimando) … Finished 10^thacross MLS in MIN (2,683) and was one of 12 players across MLS to start all 30 games … Named to the 2008 MLS All-Star inactive list, receiving his second consecutive official All-Star nod … Donned the captain’s armband for every RSL contest since the team’s 3^rd League match of the season on 4/12 v. DC … Notched first career multi-goal game in League play in the 4/12 contest v. DC, his two goals helping RSL to a 4-0 win … His 12’ goal in that game was just his second GWG in League play (previous w/ COL on 4/08/06 v. CLB) … Registered his second brace of 2008 later that month on 4/30 v. SJ, scoring two first half goals (21’ & 33’) in a 4-0 U.S. Open Cup Play-In round win … Pegged another GWG on 5/10 v. FCD, his 73’ poke ending the scoring in a 2-1 win at Rice-Eccles … Started in each of RSL’s three friendlies vs. international competition against Santos Laguna (7/09), Deportivo Saprissa (7/23), and UANL Tigres (9/03) … Broke a 13-game streak without an assist on 9/27 @ SJ, his helper on Movsisyan’s 49’ equalizer starting RSL’s second-half comeback in a 3-2 road win … Capped the season by playing all 270 minutes across RSL’s first-ever postseason appearance, a three-game run that ended in the Western Conference Final v. NY on 10/15.

2007: Played 28 games (27 starts) and notched 3 goals and 3 assists while splitting his time nearly evenly between COL and RSL … Named to the 2007 MLS All-Star inactive list, marking his first official All-Star nod … Finished his half-season stint with RSL with 2 goals and 1 assist in 15 games (14 starts) … Played 13 games, all starts, for the Rapids, scoring a goal and 2 assists before being acquired via trade by RSL on 7/16 in exchange for MF Mehdi Ballouchy … Scored first goal of 2007 season against his current team on 4/30 @ RSL, his 75^th minute tally marking the insurance goal in a 2-0 COL win … Made last of his 145 appearances in a Rapids uniform on 7/08 v. NY … Made his RSL debut on 7/21 v. Everton FC (ENG), starting and playing an impressive 61 minutes in RSL’s 2-0 friendly victory … Also started and played the first half on 7/24 v. Boca Juniors (ARG) in a 1-1 draw … Made first League appearance for RSL on 7/28 v. NE and drew the PK chance that led to RSL’s lone goal in a 1-2 loss … First goal in an RSL uniform came on a stunning right-footed effort from distance on 9/12 @ DC … Broke an 18-game streak without an assist on 10/06 v. CHV by helping on Findley’s 63^rd minute tally.

2006: Enjoyed a breakout offensive campaign in 2006 with 7 goals and 4 assists in 31 games … His 7 goals marked the first time he scored multiple goals in a season and earned him a share of the 2006 Rapids/Budweiser Golden Boot Award (w/ Nicolas Hernandez) … Five of his tallies were on the road, making him the team’s top away goal scorer that season … Played all 300 minutes of Colorado’s three MLS Cup Playoff contests and registered 2 assists … Both postseason assists came on 10/28 @ FCD in the Rapids' must-win Game 2 of the Western Conference Semifinal Series, the helpers on a pair of Hernandez goals helping the Rapids reach overtime and garner an eventual 3-2 win that pushed the Rapids into the Western Conference Final.

2005: Made 2005 debut by playing all 90 minutes and recording his first assist in the season opener on 4/02 @ KC … Scored lone goal of the season on 9/10 @ LA … Started in all three of Colorado’s MLS Cup Playoff contests … Played all 90 minutes in a scoreless first leg of the Western Conference Semifinals on 10/22 v. FCD … Played all 120 minutes in the second leg @ FCD on 10/29 (2-2 T; advance 5-4 on PKs) … Started and played 79 minutes in Western Conference Finals against on 11/05 v. LA, taking two shots (1 SOG) in the 0-2 loss.

2004: Registered a goal and four assists in 30 games played (25 starts) for Colorado … Scored first goal of the season in second half stoppage time and was shown his fifth yellow card of the year following his goal celebration after replacing John Spencer in the 87th minute of the Rapids’ 3-1 win on 9/10 v. KC … Started both Western Conference Semifinal Series contests against Los Angeles, playing all 90 minutes in the Rapids’ 1-0 Game One win on 10/22 before starting and playing 55 minutes in the Rapids’ 0-2 loss on 10/30 @ LA in Game Two.

2003: In his first season as a full-time starter, registered a still career-high 5 assists in 28 games (24 starts) … After going 11 games without an assist to start the year, notched all 5 of his helpers in Colorado’s next 10 games … Registered assists in back-to-back games for the first – and only – time in his career on 7/26 v. MET and 8/09 v. DAL … Made MLS postseason debut with a pair of 90-minute performances against KC in the Western Conference Semifinals (1-1 T v. KC on 11/04; 0-2 L @ KC on 11/08).

2002: Selected by Colorado with the 11^th overall pick in the 2002 MLS Dispersal Draft from Miami Fusion FC on 2/11 … Started 5 of 14 appearances during his first season with the Rapids, tallying 1 assist along the way … Registered first MLS assist on 5/22 v. NE, his helper on Chris Henderson’s 89^th minute goal helping to close the scoring in a 5-2 victory.

2001: Limited to one match of MLS action for Miami Fusion FC in 2001 – a 14-minute appearance on 4/18 @ KC – after suffering a broken leg while with the Nike/MLS Project-40 Team … Also appeared in a pair of scrimmages against Honduran club CD Marathon.

2000: Signed an MLS contract as a member of the Nike/MLS Project-40 program on 6/27 and was claimed by Miami Fusion FC two days later … Made a pair of substitute appearances with Miami during his rookie campaign, scoring 1 goal across 110 minutes of action … Made MLS debut on 7/15 v. DAL with a 20-minute appearance in a 0-3 L … Scored first professional goal in his first career MLS start on 9/09 @ DC, his 58’ tally helping the Fusion to a 6-2 triumph over the defending MLS Cup champs.

U.S. Men’s National Teams

U.S. Senior MNT: Has made 24 career appearances for the U.S. Men’s National Team, notching one goal since his senior international debut in 2007 … Captained the U.S. team in its 0-0 draw against Canada at Houston’s BBVA Compass Stadium on 1/29, starting and playing the first 74 minutes at holding midfielder … Accepted invitation to annual USMNT January camp in Carson, Calif. in 2013 …Called-up to the USMNT for the team’s decisive World Cup Qualifiers at Antigua & Barbuda and against Guatemala in October 2012 … Started the USMNT’s 1-2 World Cup Qualifying loss at Jamaica on 9/7/12, playing 58 minutes before being subbed off for Danny Williams … Called up to the USMNT for its September 2012 World Cup Qualifiers at and home to Jamaica … Played the full 90 minutes and helped set-up the goal in the U.S.’s historic 1-0 friendly win at Mexico on 8/15/12, the USMNT’s first-ever win at the famed Estadio Azteca … Came on as a late-game sub for Landon Donovan in the U.S.’s 1-1 World Cup Qualifying draw at Guatemala on 6/12/12 … Appeared as a substitute in the U.S.’s 1-4 friendly loss to Brazil at FedEx Field, coming on for Jermaine Jones for the final 10 minutes of the match … Came on as a substitute in the U.S.’s 5-1 friendly win over Scotland in Jacksonville on 5/26/12, playing the final 26 minutes after subbing on for Maurice Edu … Called up to the USMNT for a series of three friendlies and two World Cup Qualifiers in May and June 2012 …Accepted invitation to annual USMNT January camp in Los Angeles/Phoenix in 2012, but adductor strain limited his participation … Saw his USMNT career resurrected with the introduction of Jurgen Klinsmann as manager in July 2011, as Beckerman played in six of the USA’s seven friendlies – including five starting nods – across the back half of year … “Re-introduction” to the U.S. senior squad began with a starting XI placement in the 1-1 draw with Mexico on 8/10/11 in Philadelphia and continued with a halftime entry on 9/06 @ Belgium in an eventual 0-1 defeat in Brussels … Would go on to start in each of the USA’s final four matches of 2011 – 10/08 v. Honduras (1-0 W) in Miami; 10/11 v. Ecuador (0-1 L) in Harrison, NJ; 11/11 @ France (0-1 L) in Paris; and 11/15 @ Slovenia (3-2 W) in Ljubljana … Ended stints at USMNT camps in January and February of 2010 with starts in friendlies on 1/23/10 v. Honduras (60 min.) at The Home Depot Center (1-3 L) and 2/24/10 v. El Salvador (79 min.) at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa (2-1 W) … Tenth “cap” came via a 10-minute appearance v. El Salvador on 9/05/09 in a World Cup Qualifier at Rio Tinto Stadium, Beckerman helping the USA hold on to a 2-1 victory … Played in all six of the USA’s contests in the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup, starting five … Logged 90 minutes in the Gold Cup Final on 7/25/09 at Giants Stadium in a 0-5 defeat v. Mexico … Scored his first goal at the senior international level on 7/18/09 v. Panama in the quarterfinal round, his 49’ equalizer helping the USA advance in a 2-1 extra time win in Philadelphia … Was invited to a pair of U.S. MNT camps in January of 2008 in advance of the USA’s friendlies against Sweden and Mexico … Earned first three of his career appearances in 2007, debuting with a substitute appearance on 1/20/07 v. Denmark … Also made two caps for the USA in the Copa America tournament in Venezuela, playing the final 11 minutes of a 1-3 loss v. Argentina on 7/02/07 and played the full 90 minutes in a 0-1 defeat v. Colombia on 7/05/07 … U.S. U-23’s: Played with the U.S. U-23 National Team in the 2004 Pre-Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Mexico … U.S. U-17’s: Finished U.S. U-17 career with 40 caps and 15 goals … Started 36 of his 40 full international appearances for the U-17’s … Ranked second in scoring (10 goals, six assists) for the U-17’s in full international competition during 1999, finishing one point behind teammate Landon Donovan … Started all six games of the 1999 FIFA U-17 World Championship in New Zealand, where the U.S. eventually finished fourth after reaching the semifinals of the tournament for the first time in history … Scored an historic GWG v. Argentina on 2/05/98 in Buenos Aires, making the U-17s the first U.S. National Team to win in Buenos Aires in 86 years … U.S. U-16s: Made international debut with the U-16 National Team on 5/20/97 v. France.

Personal

Got engaged to fiancée Kate in the 2012-13 offseason … Immersed himself in European soccer culture during his 2010-11 offseason travels, taking in matches in France, Holland, and Spain, including Real Madrid’s famed Santiago Bernabeu … Began production of his own clothing line, KB5, in 2009 … Enjoys fishing, listening to reggae music, playing guitar, skateboarding and perfecting his ping-pong skills away from the field … Was awarded the “Rapids Leadership Award” in 2006 and Colorado’s “Most Improved Player Award” in 2005 … Graduated from Maryland’s Arundel High School in May 2000 … Was a state wrestling champion in Maryland as a freshman at DeMatha H.S. … Brother, Todd, wrestled at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln … Full name is Kyle Robert Beckerman.

REGULAR SEASON GAME HIGHS

Goals                           2 – Apr. 12, 2008; RSL v. DC

Assists                         2 – 3 times, last: June 16, 2012; RSL @ CHV

Shots on Goal              4 – 3 times, last: Sept. 19, 2009; RSL @ HOU

Shots                           6 – Aug. 29, 2007; RSL v. KC

Fouls Committed         7 – Sept. 17, 2005; COL @ DC

Fouls Suffered            6 – Oct. 4, 2003; COL @ KC