DaMarcus Beasley

American soccer legend and four-time World Cup veteran.

via Wikipedia: DaMarcus Beasley · see source

DaMarcus Lamont Beasley (born May 24, 1982) is an American former professional soccer player. A left-footed player, Beasley played both as a left winger and left-wing back throughout his career. He retired from soccer after the 2019 MLS Season. On November 26, 2022, National Soccer Hall of Fame announced that he, along with fellow U.S. Men's national teammate Landon Donovan, was selected for induction. He was inducted on May 6, 2023.

Quick Facts

Full name: DaMarcus Lamont Beasley
Born: 24 May 1982
Birthplace: Fort Wayne, Indiana, United States
Position: Winger, left-wing back

Lore & Background

After starring at the 1999 FIFA U-17 World Championship, Beasley emerged as a star with the Chicago Fire before making a move to Dutch club PSV Eindhoven in 2004. He later spent time in the Premier League with Manchester City, in the Scottish Premier League for Rangers and in the Bundesliga for Hannover 96. He finished his career with spells with Puebla and Houston Dynamo. Beasley is the only U.S. man to play in four FIFA World Cups, his first in 2002 and his latest in 2014, earning 126 caps during his 16-year international career.

Reader's Guide

Beasley signed with MLS on March 16, 1999, and was allocated to the LA Galaxy. However, before making any appearances with LA, he was traded in February 2000 to the Chicago Fire in exchange for first-round picks in the 2000 MLS SuperDraft and 2001 MLS SuperDraft. He would excel with Chicago, scoring 14 goals and recording 20 assists over 4.5 seasons while being named to the league Best XI in 2003. His stay with the Fire ended on July 19, 2004, when Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven agreed on a transfer fee with MLS worth $2.5 million.

He signed a four-year contract. PSV manager Guus Hiddink brought Beasley in as the successor to Arjen Robben, and Beasley was granted the number 11 jersey. In his first season in the Eredivisie, Beasley played 29 games, scored 6 goals in 34 domestic games of the Dutch season and helped PSV win their 18th league title. Beasley became the first American to play in the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League, against Milan.

He led his team with 4 goals in 12 Champions League matches. On August 31, 2006, he joined English Premier League side Manchester City on a season-long loan. On December 30, Beasley scored his first goal for City, a match-winner in the 83rd minute against West Ham United. He went on to score three times more before returning to PSV after making 22 appearances in total.

Scottish Premier League club Rangers signed Beasley for £700,000 in June 2007. He became the second American to play for the Rangers' first team, after Claudio Reyna. Beasley scored his first goal for the club against FK Zeta in a Champions League qualifier on August 7, 2007, becoming the first American to score for two clubs in the competition. On August 30, 2010, Beasley signed a two-year contract with German Bundesliga club Hannover 96.

On June 22, 2011, Beasley joined Mexican Primera División side Puebla. On July 23, 2014, Beasley joined Major League Soccer club Houston Dynamo as a designated player.