Family Time & Fly Fishing Awaits Kyle Beckerman Following 21 Years In MLS

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – The day has finally arrived for Kyle Beckerman. His journey playing the game he loves, soccer, has come to an end after the Real Salt Lake legend announced his retirement after 21 professional seasons in Major League Soccer.

The decision did not come lightly, however, after much thought and discussion with his loved ones he ultimately came to the conclusion that it would be best for him and the club if he hung up the boots.

“I always wanted to be a player that contributing on the field as best as I can,” Beckerman told KSL Sports anchor Jeremiah Jensen. “I looked at this year and you know there were games where I wasn’t getting on the field so I told the staff that I understand, I’m 38 years old so I can’t start every game but I wanted to make myself available and I wanted to be a player for the team and my teammates. But when I realized my role was going to be more off the field as opposed to on it, and it looked like it was going to continue into next year I just figured that it was time.”

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Fortunately, Beckerman finally now has some time to reflect on his career. To reminisce on the days that saw him playing for his country, lifting up the MLS Cup, and contributing in ways holding midfielders are not known for; scoring wickedly impressive and timely goals.

“One of the first things I saw when I first got here was what the work ethic was like at practice and it wasn’t good enough. So that was the first thing that we could do is making every single day competitive, and if you got enough guys around you with that same mindset in that we are all working for that one goal, we’re all reading the same page in how to get better. It all came together quickly,” Beckerman said on how he, and his teammates, transformed a small, overlooked club in RSL into a powerhouse.

As for what’s next, well, Beckerman is not going to rush into his next chapter. He intends on spending significant time with his wife and child. He is very excited to take longer walks with the dog and spend more time in the water fly fishing. He cannot wait to take his son up into the mountains and be there when he catches his first fish.

However, do not rule out a future coaching career. Beckerman does not plan on leaving the state of Utah. This is home for him now. He hails from a family in which both of his parents are teachers.

“Teaching and coaching is in my blood,” Beckerman said.

One day, hopefully in the near future, Beckerman will be found on the sidelines of Rio Tinto Stadium barking instructions to the new generation of RSL players.