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SANDY — The offseason is over for three Real Salt Lake players next week when midfielders Kyle Beckerman, Luis Gil and goalkeeper Nick Rimando head to the U.S. Soccer Men’s National Team FIFA World Cup prep January camp.
This is the first senior USMNT call-up for 20-year-old Gil, who has spent much time with the U.S Soccer under-20, under-18 and under-17 teams over the last few years.
“It’s always an honor!” Gil tweeted after getting the news of his first senior USMNT call-up.
The RSL trio will report to the USMNT FIFA World Cup training camp Jan. 6 and will remain with the USMNT through Feb. 1
In preparation for this year’s FIFA World Cup in Brazil, the camp call-ups will train both in California and in San Paulo during the monthlong camp. The camp will first spend a week in Carson, Calif., before heading to Brazil to utilize the training ground that will be used this summer.
“We are all very excited for this camp because, as a team, it will give us our first taste of Brazil,” Jurgen Klinsmann said in a U.S. Soccer press release. “This is a very important camp in our preparations for the World Cup. It’s important for the players to continue developing their bond and sense of urgency for the tournament. It’s important for us to see how they do in Brazil, how the new players fit with the group and to make sure everyone is focused on reaching the highest level for next summer.”
Beckerman will enter the January camp with 33 USMNT caps, 10 of which came last year where he saw nine starts for the Stars and Stripes. Rimando will enter the camp with 12 — six of which came in just 2013 for the veteran goalkeeper.
The three RSL players will miss the Salt Lake club’s first preseason training at its RSL-Arizona Academy in Casa Grande, Ariz., from Jan. 25-Feb. 1.
The trio will, however, return to the Salt Lake club in time for its additional preseason trainings in Irvine, Calif., from Feb. 4-14, and the FC Tucson Desert Diamond Cup, which RSL will participate in from Feb. 19-March 1. Kira Terry is a sports writer covering Real Salt Lake for KSL.com. Follow her on Twitter, @kiraterry.
