The Case of Beckerman versus The People

I am here to praise Beckerman, not to bury him. Essentially, I wish to convince you, the lone reader, that Kyle Beckerman is more than deserving of a place in South Africa. This is based on watching him day in and day out since his trade from Colorado to RSL and not just on the Gold Cup performance. Although some have bashed his Gold Cup play, I thought he was more than solid but by no means at his top form. Sometimes it's hard to play with cones around you.

At 27 years of age Beckerman is the complete package. Enthusiasm tempered with wisdom and a great understanding of what his role is at any given time. Whether he needs to hold the midfield or lead it in attack you get a tenacious box to box player who is absolutely relentless. With good players around him he rarely gives away possession and can actually play the ball with both feet.

I don't want to name names but I would say none of the other contenders for a holding role can do that. Not to mention that some of them are total hotheads and tactically (ahem) lacking.

Where Colorado almost completely ruined Beckerman, Jason Kreis and RSL have helped him blossom. It's his time. I don't know whether he deserves to be in the first 11 but I do know he deserves to be in the squad.

The U.S. team could do far worse and it is my fear that they will.