This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Real Salt Lake midfielder Kyle Beckerman has logged plenty of air miles since becoming part of the U.S. National Team roster. That includes this week.Beckerman spent much of the week prior to RSL's match Saturday against visiting Philadelphia training with the national team at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. He will miss Friday's international friendly against Costa Rica but is set for Tuesday's game against Belgium."It was similar to the last camp," said Beckerman about his time with the national team. "It keeps me sharp. When I go with the national team, everything is turned upside down, trying to impress again. When I come back here I try to keep the levels a bit higher, hopefully I bring that back and boost the rest of the [RSL] guys."Beckerman, who arrived in Salt Lake City on Thursday, went through fitness workouts under the eyes of national team coach Jurgen Klinsmann. Beckerman, Klinsmann and RSL coach Jason Kreis met and agreed to allow Beckerman to miss the Costa Rican game, allowing him to play Philadelphia. "It was smooth this time," said Beckerman about the meeting. "Next time, I don't think so. Jurgen made it clear to Jason when he wants a player he's going to get him."Beckerman also said L.A. Galaxy forward Landon Donovan will not be with the U.S. team in Belgium.