Kyle Beckerman starts against Ghana, wins first World Cup cap

Kyle Beckerman, 32, is starting his first World Cup match of his career.

Jurgen Klinsmann has handed him the start ahead of the United States' matchup against Ghana, trusting the ever-reliable defensive midfielder behind Jermaine Jones and Michael Bradley in a repeat of the lineup against Nigeria in the final pre-World Cup warm-up match.

It's a remarkable feat for the Real Salt Lake man and MLS-lifer to first become integrated into the squad over the last three years. He's gone from a Gold Cup option to a World Cup starter, and we can't be prouder of our captain.

USMNT Lineup

Howard, Bradley, Besler, Beasley, Dempsey, Bedoya, Jones, Beckerman, Altidore, Cameron, Johnson