Kyle Beckerman

Kyle Beckerman (born April 23, 1982 in Crofton, Maryland) is an American soccer player who currently plays for Real Salt Lake in Major League Soccer. [edit] Youth After playing for the United States in the 1999 Under-17 World Cup in New Zealand , Beckerman joined the league in 2000, eschewing college to sign a Nike Project-40 contract with the league. Beckerman however had been involved with the league for the previous few years, having been one of the initial residents at the United States Soccer Federation's Bradenton Academy, which also featured Landon Donovan , DaMarcus Beasley , and Bobby Convey . [edit] Professional Two days after signing with the league, the Miami Fusion claimed Beckerman. Beckerman hardly played in his first two years, however, registering only 110 minutes his first year, and only 14 his second after breaking his leg playing in the A-League. After the Fusion were contracted at the end of the 2001 season, Beckerman was selected 11th overall in the 2002 MLS Dispersal Draft by the Colorado Rapids . In his first year with the Rapids, Beckerman again saw limited time, playing 477 minutes and registering one assist. In his second season, however, he finally broke through, starting 24 games and playing 2124 minutes, registering five assists, as a central midfielder. Beckerman did much the same in 2004, starting consistently, but rarely impressing greatly. Beckerman remained a regular starter through the 2005 and 2006 seasons, playing an increasingly important role for the Rapids. He was traded on July 16th of 2007 season to Salt Lake for Mehdi Ballouchy . [edit] International Beckerman made his international debut for the United States on January 20, 2007 against Denmark at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California . Beckerman was also named to the USA squad to play in the Copa America Tournament in Venezuela .