Real Salt Lake captain back in time for stretch

Bridgeview, Ill. » Midfielder Kyle Beckerman has enjoyed a fun and far-flung past month, playing well for the United States national team all over the country in the Gold Cup and making his first appearance at the Major League Soccer All-Star Game in his home stadium.

Now, however, it's time to get back to business.

"I'm really excited to give us a little boost," he said.

The veteran captain is expected to play for Real Salt Lake for the first time in more than a month tonight when it meets the Chicago Fire at Toyota Park, hoping to help the team continue its push for the playoffs. And the club will take all the help it can get. General manager Garth Lagerwey believes

RSL must compile 43 points to reach the postseason again, meaning it needs an absolute minimum of two points from its last six road games -- and that's presuming it can win all six of its remaining home games.

"It doesn't matter how anyone else does," Lagerwey said. "I don't care what place we're in. I don't care who wins. I don't care who ties. I don't care what happens with teams, at all -- in any way, shape or form. I care if we get to 43 points."

It won't be easy.

RSL has managed just five points from nine road games so far. It's parked on 23 points overall and never has won in Chicago. Yet the team has played well lately, going 3-1-3 in its last seven games, while the Fire have been shaky at home this season

and will be without injured leading scorer Brian McBride.

On the other hand, RSL will be playing without suspended coach Jason Kreis, who was red-carded in his team's stunning 4-2 comeback win at home over FC Dallas last week. He must watch tonight from the press box. And because of a new rule he lobbied to change, he will not be allowed radio contact with his team during the game.

The team at least will be closer to full strength, though, with Beckerman back along with fellow all-star midfielders Javier Morales and Will Johnson. Morales is expected to play despite suffering a bruised calf in the MLS All-Star Game. Johnson also played in the Gold Cup, but was back for the FC Dallas game in which RSL scored four goals in the second half to rescue a huge victory.

"It's definitely good to have them back, just because we all know that they're important players for this team," striker Yura Movsisyan said. "It's good for them. I'm really happy for them to get that experience that they got, just because they mature as players, and that will help us out on this team."

Many of the players have said the comeback against FC Dallas can be a springboard to another strong finish, though they have expressed similar hopes before. Kreis was careful to say that the win could turn around the season, but only if the team responds well. Which would be unlike when they crushed New England 6-0 in April and promptly took off on a seven-game winless streak.

"We're on a nice little stretch right now," Beckerman said. "We just need to keep pushing, and if we can put a couple of wins together, you're going to catch up to some teams because it's so tight."

mcl@sltrib.com