SALT LAKE CITY (ABC-4 Sports) - Real Salt Lake's Kyle Beckerman and Robbie Findley have been named by U.S. Men’s National Team Head Coach Bob Bradley to the roster that will represent the United States in the upcoming CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers, taking place the RSL duo’s Rio Tinto Stadium home on Saturday, Sept. 5 against El Salvador and four days later at Port-au-Spain, Trinidad against Trinidad & Tobago. Due to Real Salt Lake’s bye week, Beckerman and Findley are not expected to miss any time for their MLS side, returning in time for the team’s home game on Sat., Sept. 12 against the Chicago Fire.
The U.S. faces El Salvador for the second time in the final round of 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualifying after coming from behind to earn a 2-2 draw in San Salvador behind goals from Jozy Altidore and Frankie Hejduk.
“On behalf of Real Salt Lake, we are pleased to see U.S. Soccer rewarding two of our players, Kyle for his outstanding run in the Gold Cup and Robbie for his noteworthy form in Major League Soccer play,” said RSL General Manager Garth Lagerwey, “Important games such as these will not only help Kyle and Robbie grow as players, but will also provide them with valuable experience that can help them lead our club towards another postseason berth. We wish Kyle, Robbie and the United States team great success at Rio Tinto Stadium and throughout the remainder of qualifying.”
Beckerman earned six of his nine career caps at the Gold Cup, with all previous three national team appearances coming during the Copa America stint two summers ago in Venezuela, while his last previous call-up to the Senior Team came during a January camp in 2008. Beckerman was one of 15 Major League Soccer players on the Gold Cup roster, earning a runner-up finish in the regional competition.
“Once again, I’m excited to have the chance to represent my country and help us qualify for South Africa,” said the 27-year-old Beckerman, who played 498 minutes and appeared in all six Gold Cup games this summer for Bob Bradley’s squad, starting five times and scoring the equalizer in the critical come-from-behind quarterfinal win over Panama. “The Gold Cup call-up was a total surprise, I’m glad that I performed well enough for the coaches to give me this shot. Wearing the U.S. badge in Rio Tinto Stadium in front of Real Salt Lake’s fans will surely be a special opportunity. I can’t wait for September 5.”
Findley, who leads RSL with 10 goals this season, will be in search of his second career appearance for the U.S. Men’s National Team in the upcoming qualifiers, his first cap coming back on Oct. 17, 2007, when he entered the USA’s 1-0 victory at Switzerland in the 90th minute in place of Clint Dempsey. Despite only one cap at the senior level, Findley is no stranger to the U.S. National Team system, having helped his country qualify for the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing by appearing in all five CONCACAF region qualifying matches in March of 2008 before being named one of four alternates for the squad that traveled to China for the Games last August.
“It’s been awhile since I’ve suited up with the national team, so it will be an incredible feeling to represent my country again,” said the 24-year-old Findley. “I’ve just been trying to focus on our team’s success here with Real Salt Lake, so it’s great that this opportunity has presented itself through my efforts and contributions to my club. Our fans have always been supportive and behind us no matter what, so I can’t even explain what a great feeling it would be to be able to wear that U.S. jersey in front of them.”
