This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Real Salt Lake once again will be without its captain.
The MLS Disciplinary Committee announced Thursday that RSL midfielder Kyle Beckerman had been issued an undisclosed fine and suspended one game for "violent conduct" in the 16th minute of RSL's 1-0 loss at Seattle last weekend. The 35-year-old defensive midfielder will miss Saturday night's home match against the Philadelphia Union at Rio Tinto Stadium.
Beckerman's suspension stems from his tackle on Seattle's Clint Dempsey in the first half. Dempsey was set to receive a pass from teammate Nicolas Lodeiro, but Beckerman made a timely step in front of his former U.S. men's national team teammate and won the ball. After Beckerman's clearance diverted a Sounders attack, his left leg came through to hit the left knee of Dempsey.
This will be Beckerman's second suspension of 2017. The fiery midfielder was shown a red card in RSL's 2-1 home loss to the L.A. Galaxy on March 18 and missed RSL's next match, a 0-0 draw at New York Red Bulls, the following weekend.
Beckerman has started in nine of RSL's first 13 matches. His three other absences came due to a calf injury picked up in late April. Being without its captain is not a good sign for RSL, at least when you compare its run of form with the midfielder in the lineup.
Beckerman has started every one of RSL's three wins this season.
While Beckerman will be forced to sit, odds are RSL midfielders Luke Mulholland and Sunday Stephen start in the holding midfield positions against the Union on Saturday night in Sandy.
Twitter: @chriskamrani —
Philadelphia Union at Real Salt Lake
P At Rio Tinto Stadium, Sandy
Saturday, 6 p.m.
TV • KMYU