This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated.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.
Kyle Beckerman has played against some big teams in his soccer career.
But he could scarcely be more excited for the opportunity to join Real Salt Lake teammate Jamison Olave among the All-Stars who will take on legendary Manchester United at the annual MLS All-Star Game at Red Bull Arena in New Jersey on Wednesday night.
"You've got to watch that Rooney guy," Beckerman joked.
Of course, he meant United's Wayne Rooney, one of the world's best and most famous players.
But the reigning champions of the English Premier League are loaded with elite talent all over the field — including forward Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez, midfielders Ryan Giggs and Ji-Sung Park, and defenders Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand. Manager Sir Alex Ferguson is one of the most respected bosses in the game, too.
"They're unbelievable," Beckerman said. "It will be a lot of fun. I'm excited. I haven't played against them ever. … Hopefully, we can maybe get a result against them."
The veteran midfielder said that, knowing MLS teams have had a hard time against premier international talent this summer, suffering some ugly defeats. The league's All-Stars lost to United 5-2 at Reliant Stadium in Houston last summer as well, something that current coach Hans Backe of the New York Red Bulls hopes to avoid.
"I'm very confident," the former assistant coach at Manchester City told reporters at a press conference in New York City on Monday. "I don't want to lose."
While the MLS team is loaded with most of the league's top players — Olave is the reigning defender of the year, for example — it is missing one of the best.
Forward Landon Donovan of the Los Angeles Galaxy will not play because of a lingering calf injury, meaning colleagues such as New York's Theirry Henry, the Galaxy's David Beckham and San Jose's Chris Wondolowski will have to make do without one of the league's top scorers this season.
FC Dallas' Brek Shea, New York's Rafa Marquez, Los Angeles' Omar Gonzalez and Seattle's Kasey Keller are also unavailable after being voted to the team by fans. Marquez and Gonzalez are injured, while Shea and Keller are committed to their teams' conflicting games in the CONCACAF Champions League.
Still, "we have a lot of good, young talent on this team," Beckham said, according to MLSSoccer.com. "These players are good players. It's not just about the big European talent coming over … I think we have a chance."
While RSL's Nick Rimando was left off the game-day roster in favor of Houston's Tally Hall and Philadelphia's Faryd Mondragon, the veteran goalkeeper was chosen as one of the six "inactive" All-Stars.
That means that while Rimando won't play in the game, he will receive a contract bonus and be recognized as an All-Star player. —
MLS All-Stars vs. Manchester United
At Red Bull Arena, Harrison, N.J.
Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. MDT
TV • ESPN2
All-Stars roster
Forwards
Landon Donovan, Los Angeles
Thierry Henry, New York
Chris Wondolowski, San Jose
Omar Bravo, Sporting KC
Juan Agudelo, New York
Omar Cummings, Colorado
Midfielders
Kyle Beckerman, Real Salt Lake
Jack Jewsbury, Portland
David Beckham, Los Angeles
Brad Davis, Houston
Shalrie Joseph, New England
Nick LaBrocca, Chivas USA
Defenders
Jamison Olave, Real Salt Lake
Tim Ream, New England
Sean Franklin, Los Angeles
Corey Ashe, Houston
Matt Besler, Sporting KC
Geoff Cameron, Houston
Bobby Convey, San Jose
Heath Pearce, Chivas USA
Goalkeepers
Tally Hall, Houston
Faryd Mondragon, Philadelphia