Real Salt Lake’s legendary midfielder Kyle Beckerman has decided to put an end to his professional soccer career.
Beckerman, who played 21 seasons in the MLS with the Miami Fusion, Colorado Rapids, and RSL, announced his decision via social media earlier this week. The news comes just two weeks after the 38-year-old veteran was named one of the MLS’s “25 Greatest Players of All-Time”.
“There’s no need for a long farewell when I’ve been playing each game as though it could be my last,” said Beckerman in a statement. “My goodbyes have been entrenched in every pre-game huddle, tackle, pass, celebration, and each post-game lap around the field.”
Kyle Beckerman started his pro career in Miami in 2000, making three appearances before the club was shut down by the league two years after. Beckerman entered the 2002 MLS Dispersal Draft, where he was picked up 11th overall by the Rapids.
Beckerman spent the next five and a half seasons in Colorado, developing into an important player for the club. Despite this, he was traded midway through 2007 to Real Salt Lake.
With RSL, Beckerman began his path to greatness, establishing himself as a team leader and taking over the captain’s armband in his first full season with the franchise. He followed this up by helping the team to their only MLS Cup win in 2009 and went on to play a total of 411 games with RSL, scoring 35 goals and earning six All-Star nods in the process.
Beckerman was also a member of the United States men’s national soccer team between 2007 and 2016, making 58 appearances for his country and winning a CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2013.
