5 questions with RSL midfielder Kyle Beckerman

Q: You were recently named to your first MLS All-Star Team. Is that a big honor for you, especially being named with midfield teammate Javier Morales?

A: I'm really excited. Being named last year (to the inactive list) was an honor as well, but to be able to play in front of our fans, it should definitely make a special night. I was really happy for Javier. It's going to be a lot of fun. We've just been chatting a little bit, and I'm looking forward to getting back and playing with him. Not many people know about him in the league, and on that night they'll be able to see the type of talent that Javier is.

Q: How have the past few weeks been with the U.S. National Team?

A: It's been a lot of fun, really just trying to win games. Our goal in the first part of this tournament was to get first in the group and we were able to do that. It's been exciting, and kind of all over the place. We played in Seattle, then we left and quickly got to D.C. Then we played that game and then to Boston the next day. It's been a lot of travel, but the game in D.C. was a complete dream come true to play in my hometown stadium with my family there was just amazing.

Q: The day you were selected to the U.S. National Team you indicated that you'd kind of given up on being called in again after a two-year hiatus. Has that knowledge driven you the past couple weeks to do well with the national team this go around?

A: When you don't get many call-ups you've got to be ready when you do. When it came, I definitely wasn't going to take it for granted, I wanted to take full advantage of this whole experience. Just show them what I can do and hopefully in showing them what you can do you help the team win. When you can do that, it helps promote your cause individually, so it's a win-win situation. Bob (Bradley) likes winners; the more times you're in the team when you win it's going to help you out individually.

Q: Are you comfortable with where you're at as a professional, or is the thought of going and playing Europe something that intrigues you?

A: I don't know. I kind of just play it by ear. I've just been focusing on what I'm doing at the moment. Before the (U.S.) under-17s the focus was to make that team, and then when I made that team it was trying to focus on playing well. You do that, and now an opportunity opens up to become a professional. Then the focus is on trying to get playing time, and then it's about focusing on how to become a regular starter. And now as you get older you've got to take on more responsibility in your team. I'm really happy with Salt Lake and how it's been so far. I can't worry about something that's not there. I'd be totally happy to play my whole career in MLS, but it would be neat to play in Europe as well.

Q: In "The Beckham Experiment" book references a trade that nearly sent you from Colorado to Los Angeles before you were ever traded to Real Salt Lake. Were you aware of that potential trade at the time?

A: I was flattered by it, but I was happy in Colorado. I think that had a lot to do with me getting traded to Salt Lake. I think it upset (Colorado coach) Fernando (Clavijo) because he thought they were talking to me personally. He was a bit upset, and instead of making a deal with them, he felt betrayed by them and he made it with Salt Lake. But I was happy at Colorado at the time.