From Deseret News archives:
Real Salt Lake: Freedom paid off for RSL scorer
Without the constant defensive responsibilities of playing holding mid, Beckerman has the freedom to push into the attack much more frequently, and the result was two fantastic goals in the 4-0 rout of D.C. United.
"I always liked to play two-way," said Beckerman. "In Colorado when I got the chance I was able to score some goals, and then sometimes I wasn't allowed to go forward, which I think hampered me a little bit."
Without a roster that features other quality holding midfielders like Nate Sturgis, Carey Talley and Dema Kovalenko, Kreis might not have an option to play Beckerman elsewhere. He does, however, and RSL defender Chris Wingert loves how his coaches are utilizing Beckerman's talents.
"If you have guys that can hold, which we do, I like to put them in a more attacking position. He might not be the crafty, traditional No. 10, but he's a goal scorer and he's proved that," said Wingert. "The guy scores goals when he has chances, and he makes those chances by all the running he does."
Two years ago in his best season with Colorado, Beckerman scored seven goals and notched two assists in 31 games. Wingert was also with Colorado in 2006 and got a first-hand glimpse at Beckerman's tenacity.
"Kyle has an incredible will to win and a real finishing instinct, and I think he showed that tonight," said Wingert. "He knew we needed to bury a couple goals and our team needed that, and he was able to do it with two fabulous goals."
As nice as the goals were, Kreis was pleased with Beckerman for another reason.
In last week's loss at Chivas USA, RSL's coach believe Beckerman was pushing into the attack too quickly, at times faster than the forwards. Kreis challenged his midfielder to be a little more patient this week, and it paid off, particularly on his second goal as Robbie Findley passed a ball backward to the onrushing Beckerman.
"He took the message right on cue this week," said Kreis.
With as well as Nate Sturgis played in his first start of the season at holding midfield on Saturday — not to mention Beckerman's exceptional outing — don't expect Kreis to be tinkering with his midfield anytime soon.
"For me he's your typical box-to-box midfielder. He's a guy that has the fitness, and the ability and the mentality to play over the entire field, get back into our box and defend and get into their box and attack," said Kreis.
With two goals in three games, Beckerman might be eying some new career highs.
E-mail: jedward@desnews.com
