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DaMarcus Lamont Beasley (born May 24, 1982 in Fort Wayne, Indiana) is an American soccer player who currently plays on loan for Manchester City F.C.. He plays mostly as a winger, using his speed to trouble defenses. Beasley was one of the most prominent players in MLS before making a move during the league's 2004 season to Dutch team PSV Eindhoven.
His talent has been clear since he joined the IMG Soccer Academy, the United States Soccer Federation's Residency program in Bradenton, Florida. Before moving to Florida, Beasley played at South Side High School (Fort Wayne, Indiana) for 2 years with his brother Jamar. Beasley starred in the 1999 U-17 World Cup in New Zealand, winning the Silver Ball as the tournament's second best player, behind teammate Landon Donovan.
Beasley signed with MLS on March 16, 1999, and was allocated to the Los Angeles Galaxy. However, without playing a single game, he was traded to the Chicago Fire, with whom he excelled from his debut in 2000. In four seasons in MLS, Beasley scored 14 goals, recorded 20 assists, and was 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 (who went to Chelsea), and because of that, 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 was also key in helping PSV win their 18th league title. On May 28, 2005, PSV advanced to the final of the Dutch Amstel Cup by beating Feyenoord Rotterdam in a penalty shootout after Beasley's goal in the final minute of regulation tied the match.
In addition to making an impact on the domestic level, Beasley became the first American to play in the semifinal stages of the UEFA Champions League against AC Milan. In the first leg, PSV lost 2-0 at the San Siro. In the second leg, PSV won 3-1 at Philips Stadion, but they were eliminated based on the away goals rule. Despite the loss, Beasley was a key player, leading his team with 4 goals in 12 Champions League games. It should be noted that although another American, Jovan Kirovski, was on the Borussia Dortmund team that won the Champions' League in 1997, he did not play in the Champions' League final that season.
Beasley has also excelled for the United States national team, getting his first cap January 27, 2001 against China. He played for the Under-20 team at the 2001 World Youth Championship in Argentina. DaMarcus then earned a place with the 2002 FIFA World Cup squad, and since secured his place as the team's starting left midfielder.
DaMarcus' older brother Jamar also played in MLS, for the Fire and the New England Revolution.
DaMarcus was charged with drunken driving as a result of an incident on January 17, 2006, and faces a nominal fine and possible suspension of Dutch driving privileges if convicted.
Beasley, along with midfielder Landon Donovan, was harshly criticised by fans and the USA coaching staff for poor play during the 2006 FIFA World Cup. He assisted on the USA's only goal (scored by Clint Dempsey) and had a goal called back against Italy.
In August 2006 the pacy winger joined Manchester City on a season-long loan from PSV. He said of his loan move that I heard before I even came that City had one of the best fan bases in England and I'm excited to play for them. I want to gain their respect quickly in the first couple of games that I play. If they get behind me, that will encourage me and hopefully I can give them the work ethic that they will be looking for from me. He stated that Manchester City F.C. manager, Stuart Pearce, was a a coach that you go to talk to if you have a problem. He's open and he's always out there on the training pitch, he really knows his foot
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DaMarcus Lamont Beasley (born May 24, 1982 in Fort Wayne, Indiana) is an American soccer player who currently plays on loan for Manchester City F.C.. He plays mostly as a winger, using his speed to trouble defenses. Beasley was one of the most prominent players in MLS before making a move during the league's 2004 season to Dutch team PSV Eindhoven.
His talent has been clear since he joined the IMG Soccer Academy, the United States Soccer Federation's Residency program in Bradenton, Florida. Before moving to Florida, Beasley played at South Side High School (Fort Wayne, Indiana) for 2 years with his brother Jamar. Beasley starred in the 1999 U-17 World Cup in New Zealand, winning the Silver Ball as the tournament's second best player, behind teammate Landon Donovan.
Beasley signed with MLS on March 16, 1999, and was allocated to the Los Angeles Galaxy. However, without playing a single game, he was traded to the Chicago Fire, with whom he excelled from his debut in 2000. In four seasons in MLS, Beasley scored 14 goals, recorded 20 assists, and was 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 (who went to Chelsea), and because of that, 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 was also key in helping PSV win their 18th league title. On May 28, 2005, PSV advanced to the final of the Dutch Amstel Cup by beating Feyenoord Rotterdam in a penalty shootout after Beasley's goal in the final minute of regulation tied the match.
In addition to making an impact on the domestic level, Beasley became the first American to play in the semifinal stages of the UEFA Champions League against AC Milan. In the first leg, PSV lost 2-0 at the San Siro. In the second leg, PSV won 3-1 at Philips Stadion, but they were eliminated based on the away goals rule. Despite the loss, Beasley was a key player, leading his team with 4 goals in 12 Champions League games. It should be noted that although another American, Jovan Kirovski, was on the Borussia Dortmund team that won the Champions' League in 1997, he did not play in the Champions' League final that season.
Beasley has also excelled for the United States national team, getting his first cap January 27, 2001 against China. He played for the Under-20 team at the 2001 World Youth Championship in Argentina. DaMarcus then earned a place with the 2002 FIFA World Cup squad, and since secured his place as the team's starting left midfielder.
DaMarcus' older brother Jamar also played in MLS, for the Fire and the New England Revolution.
DaMarcus was charged with drunken driving as a result of an incident on January 17, 2006, and faces a nominal fine and possible suspension of Dutch driving privileges if convicted.
Beasley, along with midfielder Landon Donovan, was harshly criticised by fans and the USA coaching staff for poor play during the 2006 FIFA World Cup. He assisted on the USA's only goal (scored by Clint Dempsey) and had a goal called back against Italy.
In August 2006 the pacy winger joined Manchester City on a season-long loan from PSV. He said of his loan move that I heard before I even came that City had one of the best fan bases in England and I'm excited to play for them. I want to gain their respect quickly in the first couple of games that I play. If they get behind me, that will encourage me and hopefully I can give them the work ethic that they will be looking for from me. He stated that Manchester City F.C. manager, Stuart Pearce, was a a coach that you go to talk to if you have a problem. He's open and he's always out there on the training pitch, he really knows his foot