Real Salt Lake soccer: Kyle Beckerman makes case for spot on Cup roster

SANDY — In his last game before the U.S. National Team announces its preliminary roster for the World Cup next week, Real Salt Lake midfielder Kyle Beckerman made one last spirited pitch to be among the 30 players.

He scored a goal and played an all-around fantastic match Saturday afternoon against Philadelphia.

"Kyle Beckerman tonight for me was by far the man of the match. He was an absolute monster the entire match," said coach Jason Kreis. "He was one of maybe two or three players who was wholly committed in the first half and led by example. He was all over the park winning balls."

On a day when most of his teammates struggled in the first half, his tenacity for 90 minutes was particularly noticeable.

Beckerman downplayed any notion about sending a subtle message to U.S. coach Bob Bradley though.

"I feel like I try and bring it every game. When guys like Javier (Morales), Andy (Williams) and Robbie (Findley) are firing, you're going to notice them a lot more, but today maybe they weren't," said Beckerman. "They played solid defense. Today maybe you just noticed me a little more."

DINGED AGAIN: It's been a tough year for Real Salt Lake striker Findley, who has more injuries than goals this season. You can add a bruised back to his unimpressive resume.

Findley picked up the injury in the first half of Saturday's game with Philadelphia and was eventually replaced in the 38th minute by PabloCampos.

A groin injury kept Findley out of the starting lineup twice earlier this season, but he eventually made a substitute appearance in each of those games. In 385 combined minutes in seven games this year, RSL's leading scorer in 2009 has zero goals.

The lack of form and production could impact his chances of being named to the U.S. National Team preliminary World Cup roster.

OOPS, HE DID IT AGAIN: Philadelphia keeper ChrisSeitz is making a name for himself for all the wrong reasons.

His gaffes this season against D.C. United and Toronto FC have been well documented, and on Saturday he added another to his list.

He misplayed a free kick from Morales earlier in the second half, and JamisonOlave was right there to pounce on the rebound from his former teammate.

Six games into the season Seitz has surrendered 14 goals and his record in goal is 1-5-0.

His former RSL teammates still have faith in him.