SALT LAKE CITY (ABC-4 Sports) - Real Salt Lake midfielders Kyle Beckerman and Javier Morales have been named to the MLS All-Star team that will play English power Everton FC at Rio Tinto Stadium July 29th. Both players were "Commissioner's Picks", selected by MLS Commissioner Don Garber, but they are still part of the 18-man active roster.
Beckerman, 27, is in his third season with Real Salt Lake after starting his career with the Miami Fusion in 2000, and spending five-and-a-half seasons with the Colorado Rapids. The defensive midfielder from Crofton, Md., known for his tenacious play and flair, has two goals and one assist in 14 games this season. With his long dreadlocks and easy-going attitude off the field, the 10-year MLS veteran is among the more popular players in the League. This marks Beckerman’s third All-Star selection, but will be his first appearance on the 18-man game-day roster. In 2007 and 2008 he was selected to the inactive roster. He is currently with the U.S. National Team as they prepare for the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup. With several appearances in the Gold Cup, he now has six caps for the U.S. men.
Morales, a 29-year-old attacking midfielder from Buenos Aires, Argentina, is in his third season with Real Salt Lake after joining the club during the summer transfer period in August 2007. So far this season, Morales has one goal and four assists while conducting the RSL attack. Morales was the catalyst for Real Salt Lake’s first playoff appearance in club history last fall. During the season he scored six goals and finished second in assists with 15, behind only the Leader and League MVP Guillermo Barros Schelotto. This marks Morales’ first selection to the MLS All-Star Team.
Beckerman and Morales are just the 2nd and 3rd RSL players ever to suit up for an MLS All-Star Game joining Eddie Pope, who was selected to play on the 2007 team.
