Real Salt Lake’s Beckerman intent on grabbing national team chance

Real Salt Lake captain Kyle Beckerman is intent on grabbing his national team opportunity with both hands.

The 27-year old was selected for Bob Bradley’s US squad for upcoming World Cup qualifier against El Salvador and admits he may have already thought about South Africa 2010.

"That would be awesome," he said of playing in the World Cup.

Beckerman also admitted that he is unsure of why he has been given an opportunity now, leading into such an important match, after being overlooked for the national team in the past.

"I don't know, because when I wasn't getting called in, I didn't have a reason," he added.

"It wasn't like, 'Oh, I don't feel I'm playing good enough to play.' You just weren't getting called in. Now that I am getting called in, I don't know. I feel like I've been doing this for awhile now, so maybe now it's enough? I don't know. ... It's all in the hands of the coach, I guess."

Real Salt Lake coach Jason Kreis is confident Beckerman can match it with the best at international level and believes he has thoroughly deserved his opportunity, especially after strong performances in July’s CONCACAF Gold Cup.

"He went there and, for me, he was one of the best players on the team," Kreis said.

"For me, he fully deserved another chance, and I'm hoping he's going to get it in the qualifier.

"It's always been a matter of time whether he would take advantage of that opportunity and I would say that the time is right."