Kyle Beckerman?

[peter]

I haven't seen him play much this year but a recent article mentions he's having an all star type season. Is he National Team material? What re his strengths and weaknesses?

[IndividualEleven]

The perception is that he is too slow for the international game.

To his credit though he brings a wealth of D1 soccer experience(for a player his age) at essentially the same position and his distribution has improved tremendously(from an admittedly low level).

I'd like to see him get a run out personally, but he might in the second tier of young central midfielders--a group in which I would include players such as Brian Carroll, Kyle Martino, and Danny O'Rourke rather than the first(adu, deuce, kljestan, clark, feilhaber, bradley).

[Ghost]

Saw him play at PHP recently and his name doesn't pop up enough. Good player.

[deron]

Too many years playing under Hankinson. A rod in his leg. And, a lot of competition at his position. I don't see him getting much shot.

A bit of low down. He'll work hard on defense. He doesn't lose the ball easily off of the dribble. He's flexible about playing multiple roles - an item that hinders many a Rapid youth. To his credit he is more of a holding midfielder that can play both ways than most of his competition are. He has a good short passing game that is hardly emphasised by the Rapids. He has a poor long passing game that gets displayed on the Rapids too much. Vs. his competition he shoulders more responsibility than most of them, and doesn't get to play alongside a solid A mid. If the Rapids resign Nkong, I expect we'll see an improvement on Kyle's game, as Nkong moves a lot which plays to the kids strengths.

He'd be a different player now had he been groomed under better coaches. Clavijo's letting him just play though, and it seems to be working.

It's probably too late for any Nat team chances, though I didn't expect him to play as much as he did in the Olympic Qualifiers.

[Sion]

nice wheels no size works his ass off imo

[jpoler1]

I haven't seen him play much this year but a recent article mentions he's having an all star type season. Is he National Team material? What re his strengths and weaknesses?

I am bias in this opinion, let me say that from the beginning. Todd Beckerman is a friend of mine, that is Kyle's bro. Anyways, Kyle has been an underrated player for some time now. He is not an exceptional talent by any means, but he will most likely be there come 2010 barring any injuries.

[IndividualEleven]

He'd be a different player now had he been groomed under better coaches. Clavijo's letting him just play though, and it seems to be working.

It's probably too late for any Nat team chances, though I didn't expect him to play as much as he did in the Olympic Qualifiers.

Well he's only 24; so it shouldn't be too late.

Should it???

[Onionsack]

Beckerman was a great youth player and came into the league with high expectations on him.

He never really lived up to them. Whether that was a product of the Hanki era or his own shortcomings is debatable.

But he has had a stong year this season and looks to be reviving those past expectations.

I would rate him as a strong MLS player with potential to be a club leader and all star canidate.

[Nutmeg]

Well he's only 24; so it shouldn't be too late.

Should it???

Not at that position, it shouldn't. DMid requires someone who can read the game exceptionally well and put themselves in the right spots to cover. A lot of that comes down to experience.

However (and not to make too much out of one game), Ricardo Clark showed why he's the best DMid in MLS at the All-Star game. He looked completely at home against Chelsea, and had no problems matching Chelsea's midfield.

All the other MLS DMids were exactly where they should be the second half of the all-star game - watching Clark from the bench or at home.

[Ghost]

Not at that position, it shouldn't. DMid requires someone who can read the game exceptionally well and put themselves in the right spots to cover. A lot of that comes down to experience.

However (and not to make too much out of one game), Ricardo Clark showed why he's the best DMid in MLS at the All-Star game. He looked completely at home against Chelsea, and had no problems matching Chelsea's midfield.

All the other MLS DMids were exactly where they should be the second half of the all-star game - watching Clark from the bench or at home.

I agree about Clark. But people need to be honest and say that one big reason that the guy doesn't get the mentions is that he plays in Colorado. Who was the last Colorado player to get called up who hadn't already established himself in the Nats pool? I guess Nat Borchers and Kotschau had a cup of coffee. But that's about it.

[Casper]

I agree about Clark. But people need to be honest and say that one big reason that the guy doesn't get the mentions is that he plays in Colorado. Who was the last Colorado player to get called up who hadn't already established himself in the Nats pool? I guess Nat Borchers and Kotschau had a cup of coffee. But that's about it.
Please give us your list of deserving Rapids who did not get looks in '04 and '05. And it can't include Mastroeni, Borchers, Kotschau, or Cannon (or Mathis and Kirovski), who all got looks and were rightly found wanting, save Pablo. It's not a conspiracy. Hell, Hankinson REFUSED TO LET PLAYERS GO once when Bruce wanted them.

[ManU62280]

I've seen Kyle play several times. Yes the kid has talent. Does he have the talent needed to be on the national team, I am not sure. We will never know unless he gets a call up.

[Sandon Mibut]

Why I think Beckerman bears watching is that he continues to improve every year. That shows character and a willingness to not quit, and after what happened in Germany, I'm a little prone to giving the players with character a longer look than I may have before.

He used to seem like he ws just running around without much of a clue but he's evolved into a smart player who reads the game well and picks his spots going forward.

He's a decent passer, hits a nice outside shot and is a tough bastard, which is always a nice trait to have in a D-mid.

I think he'll have a LOT of competition at D-mid - Pablo will still be around, and perhaps O'Brien, plus Clark, Carroll, Feilhaber, Bradley and Szetela, among others - but I think he's earned the right to be considered for a call-up or two.

[Ghost]

Please give us your list of deserving Rapids who did not get looks in '04 and '05. And it can't include Mastroeni, Borchers, Kotschau, or Cannon (or Mathis and Kirovski), who all got looks and were rightly found wanting, save Pablo. It's not a conspiracy. Hell, Hankinson REFUSED TO LET PLAYERS GO once when Bruce wanted them.

Who said it was a conspiracy? It's true that quality Rapids players are not exactly flowering. I'm just saying that it's harder getting attention playing in Denver than it is playing in New York or DC or LA, where you have more exposure and more fan support to push your candidacy.

[Foosinho]

I'm just saying that it's harder getting attention playing in Denver than it is playing in New York or DC or LA, where you have more exposure and more fan support to push your candidacy.
You've got a point when it comes to, say, All Star game voting. But there are only 12 teams in the league. The UNMNT manager can DVR all of the games on Saturday, and watch every game in it's entirity on Sunday with very little problem. "Exposure" isn't a problem.

[Ismitje]

Who was the last Colorado player to get called up who hadn't already established himself in the Nats pool?

Courtesy of Mr. Bruce Arena:

http://www.coloradorapids.com/images/misc/ATT_bravo.jpg

[FlashMan]

Sandon hit it on the head when he said one reason to give this kid a chance is he continues to improve, year by year. He actually had a fine season LAST year but had no knack for goal, which this year he has finally gotten over. His pedigree, going back to his U-17 days with Donovan, Convey and Beasley, are as good as any, and he has a lot of professional experience at this point, which Nutmeg is right to say at his position counts for a lot. Definitely someone to keep an eye on.

[Northcal19]

......
He never really lived up to them. Whether that was a product of the Hanki era or his own shortcomings is debatable.


As a Rapids fan and tix holder I would say it was a "Hanki" issue. The 'worst coach ever' seemed to be especially bad for young Kyle who is now very good.

I think his pace is going to hurt him with the nats though.

[Stan Collins]

I have been fascinated with Beckerman's weird career arc: hot shit at 17; absolute nobody at 20; underrated, improving player at 24. You don't see that one every day (here's hope for Santino Quaranta).

Anyway, I think we should cast the net wide through some domestic-team friendlies in the next several months.

[Ringo]

harder getting attention playing in Denver than it is playing in New York or DC or LA, where you have more exposure and more fan support to push your candidacy.


not trying to be argumentative, but NY players have had as much luck as Rapids players ... living in NY hasn't helped them. and using 'NY' and 'fan support' in the same sentence is begging for a punchline. if fan support helped candidacy, Freddy would've been in Germany.

I mean, is playing in Denver any tougher than playing in KC? Jimmy Conrad didn't have much trouble.

I just don't buy geography as a reason. Colorado just hasn't had any good players (John Spencer, a non-American, was a fun player to watch, though).