MLS Real Salt Lake

Real Salt Lake's Kyle Beckerman and Javier Morales Named to MLS All-Star Team

Published on July 15, 2009 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Real Salt Lake News Release


SANDY, Utah (Wednesday July 15, 2009) - Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber selected the Real Salt Lake midfield duo of Kyle Beckerman and Javier Morales as his two "Commissioner's Picks" for the 2009 MLS All-Star Game. Beckerman and Morales join the First XI and one alternate who have already been announced by the League. The MLS All-Stars face English Premier League club Everton FC in the 14th annual midsummer showcase being played at the home of Real Salt Lake, Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah, on Wednesday, July 29 (7:30 p.m. MT, live on ESPN2 and Galavision).

"Javier and Kyle are among our best players and deserve to play in front of a packed house of our passionate Real Salt Lake fans," said RSL General Manager Garth Lagerwey. "We feel like we have other players who are also deserving, and I think if our team performance continues to improve in the second half of the season we may, as a group, achieve more accolades."

Tickets to the 2009 MLS All-Star Game remain on sale, with prices starting at $35 (KFC Colonel's Corner, North Goal, South Goal and Upper Deck), and continuing at $45 (Corner Flag), $60 (Lower Sidelines), $105 (Front Row and Midfield) and $200 (Club Seats). To purchase tickets for the MLS All-Star Game's first visit to Utah, please visit www.RioTintoStadium.com, call 1-800-838-3380, or visit the Rio Tinto Stadium Box Office, open Monday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. local time.

Beckerman, 27, is in his third season with Real Salt Lake after starting his career with the Miami Fusion in 2000, and spending five-and-a-half seasons with the Colorado Rapids. The defensive midfielder from Crofton, Md., known for his tenacious play and flair, has two goals and one assist in 14 games this season. With his long dreadlocks and easy-going attitude off the field, the 10-year MLS veteran is among the more popular players in the League. This marks Beckerman's third All-Star selection, but will be his first appearance on the 18-man game-day roster. In 2007 and 2008 he was selected to the inactive roster. He is currently with the U.S. National Team as they prepare for the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup. With several appearances in the Gold Cup, he now has six caps for the U.S. men.

Morales, a 29-year-old attacking midfielder from Buenos Aires, Argentina, is in his third season with Real Salt Lake after joining the club during the summer transfer period in August 2007. So far this season, Morales has one goal and four assists while conducting the RSL attack. Morales was the catalyst for Real Salt Lake's first playoff appearance in club history last fall. During the season he scored six goals and finished second in assists with 15, behind only the Leader and League MVP Guillermo Barros Schelotto. This marks Morales' first selection to the MLS All-Star Team.

On Monday, July 20, MLS All-Star Team and Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear and his staff's selections will be announced to complete the 18-man game-day roster. Kinnear earned the honor of coaching the MLS side by leading his team to the highest points per game average in the League through games on June 28.

The First XI is not necessarily the starting lineup. Kinnear will select the starters based on player availability and tactical considerations. If First XI selections are unavailable due to injury, international duty or other commitments, Kinnear will select alternates for the game day roster. The inactive, or alternate All-Star roster, will be announced at a later date.

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Major League Soccer Stories from July 15, 2009


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