He didn't light up the scoreboard, and didn't play assist machine, but Kyle Beckerman's contributions to Real Salt Lake's impressive start to the MLS season have made him SBI's pick for MLS Player of the Month.
RSL sits in first place in the Western Conference after four matches despite having players such as Javier Morales, Alvaro Saborio, Fabian Espindola, Will Johnson and Nat Borchers all miss starts and matches to injuries. A major reason for that is the play of Beckerman, who has bossed the midfield and been pivotal in each of Real Salt Lake's three wins this season.
He commanded the midfield in RSL's season-opening win against Los Angeles, dominated his opponents in the team's win against the New York Red Bulls, then delivered the stoppage-time, game-winning goal in RSL's stirring comeback victory against Portland at Jeld-Wen Field.
Beckerman beat out a strong field of candidates that included Thierry Henry, Graham Zusi and Chris Wondolowski. Henry was outstanding in New York's recent two victories, scoring five goals and earning SBI MLS Player of the Week honors on both occasions.
Zusi notched at least one assist in each of Sporting KC's three victories in March to help KC start with a perfect record. Wondolowski scored in all three of San Jose's victories to start the season, including a brace in the Earthquakes victory against Toronto FC.
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Who was your pick for MLS Player of the Month? Was it Henry for his pair of dominating multi-goal efforts, or was it Zusi for his creative exploits? Was there someone else you feel should have been considered?
Share your thoughts below.