DaMarcus Beasley facts for kids
Beasley with Puebla in 2013
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| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | DaMarcus Lamont Beasley | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of birth | May 24, 1982 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Fort Wayne, Indiana, United States | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position(s) | Winger, left-wing back | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Youth career | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1998–1999 | IMG Academy | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior career* | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1999 | LA Galaxy | 2 | (6) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1999 | → MLS Pro-40 (loan) | 2 | (6) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2000–2004 | Chicago Fire | 98 | (14) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2000 | → MLS Pro-40 (loan) | 3 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2004–2007 | PSV | 56 | (10) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2006–2007 | → Manchester City (loan) | 18 | (3) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2007–2010 | Rangers | 30 | (4) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2010–2011 | Hannover 96 | 4 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2011–2014 | Puebla | 92 | (12) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2014–2019 | Houston Dynamo | 124 | (3) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | 427 | (46) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| International career | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1999 | United States U17 | 6 | (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2001 | United States U20 | 4 | (2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2001–2017 | United States | 126 | (17) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of October 7, 2019 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
DaMarcus Lamont Beasley (born May 24, 1982) is a former professional soccer player from the United States. He was known for playing on the left side of the field, either as a left winger (an attacking player) or a left-wing back (a defensive player who also helps with attacks). Beasley stopped playing soccer after the 2019 MLS Season.
In November 2022, the National Soccer Hall of Fame announced that Beasley would be inducted. He joined the Hall of Fame on May 6, 2023, alongside his former U.S. teammate Landon Donovan.
Beasley became a star with the Chicago Fire after playing well in the 1999 FIFA U-17 World Championship. He then moved to the Dutch club PSV Eindhoven in 2004. He also played for big teams like Manchester City in England, Rangers in Scotland, and Hannover 96 in Germany. He finished his career playing for Puebla in Mexico and Houston Dynamo in the U.S.
Beasley is the only American man to have played in four FIFA World Cup tournaments. He played in the World Cups in 2002, 2006, 2010, and 2014. He played 126 games for his country during his 16-year international career.
Contents
Club Career
Starting Out in Soccer
DaMarcus Beasley was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He joined the IMG Academy in Florida, which is a special program for young soccer players. Before that, he played soccer for two years at South Side High School. Beasley showed his talent at the 1999 Under-17 World Cup in New Zealand. He won the Silver Ball award, which means he was the second-best player in the tournament. His teammate, Landon Donovan, won the best player award.
Playing for Chicago Fire
Beasley signed with Major League Soccer (MLS) in 1999 and was first assigned to the LA Galaxy. However, he was traded to the Chicago Fire in 2000. He played very well for the Fire, scoring 14 goals and making 20 assists over four and a half seasons. In 2003, he was named to the league's MLS Best XI, which means he was one of the best players in the league.
His time with the Fire ended in July 2004 when he moved to the Dutch club PSV Eindhoven. PSV paid $2.5 million for him, and he signed a four-year contract.
Time with PSV Eindhoven
At PSV, coach Guus Hiddink brought Beasley in to replace Arjen Robben, who had moved to Chelsea. Beasley was given the number 11 jersey. In his first season in the Eredivisie (the top Dutch league), Beasley played 29 games and scored 6 goals. He helped PSV win their 18th league title. In May 2005, PSV reached the final of the 2004–05 KNVB Cup, a major Dutch cup competition. Beasley scored a goal in the last minute to tie the match, and PSV won in a penalty shootout.
Beasley also made history by becoming the first American player to reach the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League. This was against Milan. PSV lost the first game 2–0 but won the second game 3–1. However, they were eliminated because of the away goals rule. Even though they lost, Beasley was a key player, scoring 4 goals in 12 Champions League matches.
Moving to Manchester City
After another season with PSV, Beasley joined the English Premier League team Manchester City on a loan in August 2006. He had always wanted to play in England. He faced some injuries early on, but on December 30, he scored his first goal for City, which was the winning goal against West Ham United. He scored three more goals before returning to PSV after playing 22 games for Manchester City.
Playing for Rangers
In June 2007, the Scottish club Rangers signed Beasley for £700,000. He was the second American to play for Rangers' main team. On August 4, 2007, Beasley played his first game for Rangers, helping them win 3–0. He scored his first goal for the club in a Champions League qualifier on August 7, 2007. This made him the first American to score for two different clubs in the Champions League.
On October 2, 2007, Beasley played a big part in Rangers' 3–0 win against Lyon in the Champions League. He was involved in all three goals and was named Man of the Match.
Beasley got injured during a Champions League match against VfB Stuttgart. This injury was serious, and it was thought he would miss the rest of the season. However, he returned to play in May. His first start after his injury was in the Scottish Cup final against Queen of the South. He scored a goal and made an assist in their 3–2 victory.
Beasley helped Rangers win the Scottish Premier League title in the 2008–09 season. He played in ten league matches that season. In the 2009–10 season, he didn't play as much. He scored in games against Dundee United and Motherwell. Rangers won the title again, but Beasley didn't play enough games to get a championship medal.
Time with Hannover 96
On August 30, 2010, Beasley signed a two-year contract with the German club Hannover 96. He made his first appearance for them on September 18, 2010, coming on as a substitute in a game against VfL Wolfsburg.
Playing for Puebla
On June 22, 2011, Beasley joined Puebla, a team in Mexico's top league. He scored his first goal for Puebla in an unofficial game against Monterrey. On July 23, he made his official debut for Puebla in a 1–0 win. He scored his first official goal for the team on August 21 in a 2–1 win against Pumas UNAM.
Houston Dynamo Career
On July 23, 2014, Beasley joined the Major League Soccer team Houston Dynamo. He made his debut for the Dynamo on August 3, 2014, playing as a left back in a 1–0 win. He got a hamstring injury in October that ended his 2014 season. He played in 10 games for Houston in his first year.
In 2015, Beasley was chosen for his fourth MLS All-Star game. He was also named the Dynamo's defender of the year. He scored his first goal for the Dynamo on August 8, 2015.
In 2016, Beasley had knee surgery and missed over a month of games. After the season, he signed a new contract with the Dynamo, but he took a lower salary.
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Beasley had a strong season in 2017 and was named an MLS All-Star again. He helped the Dynamo reach the MLS Playoffs for the first time in three seasons. He also received the MLS Fair Play Individual Award for his good sportsmanship.
In 2018, the Dynamo didn't make the playoffs, but they won the U.S. Open Cup. This win meant they qualified for the 2019 CONCACAF Champions League. On December 30, 2018, Beasley signed another contract to play for the Dynamo in 2019.
On February 19, 2019, Beasley scored the only goal in a Champions League match against Guastatoya, giving the Dynamo a win. On March 12, he got injured in another Champions League game. He had knee surgery and was out for almost two months. Beasley returned to play in the MLS on May 15. On May 20, he announced that he would retire after the 2019 season. He played his last game on October 6, when the Dynamo won 4–2. Beasley was substituted in the 89th minute and received a standing ovation from the crowd. After the match, he told the fans, "I wouldn't think of another club to end my career with. Houston is my home. I'm not gonna say goodbye."
International Career
DaMarcus Beasley played over 100 games for the United States national team. He played in four FIFA World Cups. He was also a key player when the United States won the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2002, 2005, 2007, and 2013. For the 2013 Gold Cup, Beasley was the team's captain. He also won the Gold Cup in 2017 as a viewer.
Beasley played for the U.S. Under-20 team in 2001. He played his first game for the senior national team on January 27, 2001, when he was 18 years old. At age 20, he was part of the U.S. squad for the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Japan and South Korea. He played in all three group matches, helping the team reach the quarter-finals, which was their best performance in over 50 years.
During the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Beasley helped set up the U.S.'s only goal against Ghana. He also had a goal disallowed against Italy.
In a 2010 World Cup qualification game against Trinidad and Tobago, Beasley played the entire game at left back. He said this was the first time he had played a full game in that position.
Beasley was chosen by U.S. coach Bob Bradley for the 2010 FIFA World Cup squad. He made one appearance as a substitute in a group stage match against Algeria. After not playing much for the national team for a few years, Beasley was called up for 2014 World Cup qualifiers in March 2013. He played well as a left back in wins against Costa Rica, Jamaica, Panama, and a draw against Mexico. In July 2013, U.S. coach Jürgen Klinsmann made Beasley captain for the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup. The U.S. team won the tournament.
When he was included in the United States' 2014 World Cup squad, Beasley became one of only three American players to be part of four World Cup teams. By playing against Ghana in the first game of the tournament, he became the first American to play in four World Cup tournaments. He played in all four matches for the United States, including a game against Belgium in the round of 16.
Beasley announced his retirement from the national team on December 15, 2014. However, he returned for the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup at the request of coach Jürgen Klinsmann. He played only one game in that tournament. In June 2017, by starting in a World Cup qualifier against Mexico, Beasley became the first American to play in five World Cup qualifying cycles.
Personal Life
DaMarcus Beasley's older brother, Jamar, was also a soccer player. DaMarcus and Jamar started playing soccer as kids because their father wanted them to be involved in sports. DaMarcus also played football and basketball when he was young.
In October 2020, Fort Wayne FC announced that Beasley had joined their ownership group as a co-owner of the club. The team plans to move up to a higher league, USL League One, starting in the 2023 season.
Honours
Chicago Fire
- U.S. Open Cup: 2000, 2003
- Supporters' Shield: 2003
PSV Eindhoven
- Eredivisie: 2004–05, 2005–06
- KNVB Cup: 2004–05
Rangers
- Scottish Premier League: 2008–09, 2009–10
- Scottish Cup: 2007–08, 2008–09
- Scottish League Cup: 2007–08, 2009–10
Houston Dynamo
- U.S. Open Cup: 2018
United States
- CONCACAF Gold Cup: 2002, 2005, 2007, 2013
Individual Awards
- CONCACAF Gold Cup: 2005 Golden Boot (most goals scored)
- CONCACAF Gold Cup All-Tournament team: 2005
- CONCACAF Gold Cup All-Tournament team (Honorable Mention): 2007
- 1999 U-17 World Cup: Silver Ball (second best player)
- MLS All-Star: 2001, 2002, 2003, 2015, 2017
- MLS Best XI: 2003 (one of the best 11 players in the league)
- Houston Dynamo defensive player of the year: 2015, 2018
- MLS Fair Play Award: 2017 (for good sportsmanship)
- Dynamo Players' Player of the Year: 2019
- National Soccer Hall of Fame: 2023
Images for kids
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Beasley with Puebla in 2013
See also
In Spanish: DaMarcus Beasley para niños
