DaMarcus Beasley Not Ready to Retire from International Duty
By Phil Naegely
Jul 26, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Dynamo defender DaMarcus Beasley (21) is introduced before a match against Aston Villa at BBVA Compass Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
While Houston Dynamo legend Brian Ching was busy smack talking DC United forward Eddie Johnson and voicing his disapproval of water breaks in soccer, DaMarcus Beasley was busy talking to reporters and preparing for the Dynamo’s weekend match against red-hot DC United.
During his time with reporters, Dynamo general manager Chris Canetti briefly popped in to announce that Beasley’s transfer paperwork had been completed. It is still unknown whether Beasley will see time on Saturday, but the reason will be tactics related and not paperwork related.
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Beasley still had the USMNT and World Cup on his mind as he spoke about the possibility in playing in a fifth World Cup for the United States.
"“Of course, I’m a footballer. At the end of the day, I want to play at the highest level for as long as possible,” Beasley said. “I’m not going to give that position away easily. I’m gonna fight until my legs can’t run, until Jurgen says we’re going another way.“If Jurgen sees me in 2018 that I’m still the left back of the US national team then great, but I’m realistic and know the quality we have in this country.”"
While 2018 is far away, the next World Cup cycle is upon us and there is much action before then. Beasley could be integral to the United States’ success in upcoming friendlies, 2015 Gold Cup, and other action before the 2018 World Cup. If he does not see time in the 2018 World Cup, he could still be apart of the qualifying games.
Those matches are far off as Beasley focuses on his return to MLS and his debut with the Dynamo. He has only been apart of four sessions since joining the Dynamo and is coming off a three-week layoff since the World Cup.
"“I don’t really get unfit. I’m a pretty fit guy usually,” Beasley said. “If [the coach] sees I need another week of training, I need another week of training. If he sees I’m fit to play, I’m fit to play. Depends on how he sees it and this game Sunday.”"
Beasley’s status for the game seems to be based off what the coach seems works best for the team. Given the team’s lackadaisical defense recently, he may be wise to insert Beasley. It will be interesting to see if he is deployed as a defensive midfielder or as a left back where he played. At the same time, his post-World Cup layoff may make it better off to deploy him as a second half sub.
Nonetheless, he should make his Dynamo debut in front of the Houston fans come Sunday.
Quotes courtesy of MLSsoccer.com’s Houston Dynamo beat writer Darrell Lovell.