The Houston Dynamo have signed U.S. men’s national team star DaMarcus Beasley as a Designated Player, it was announced today. Beasley was acquired with Houston’s No.1 MLS allocation ranking. Per club and league policy, terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Beasley started four games at the 2014 FIFA World Cup to become the first American to play in four World Cups. The 32-year-old has 120 caps for the U.S. men’s national team, fifth-most in the program’s history, and has appeared in 11 career World Cup matches. Beasley is tied for ninth in U.S. history with 17 goals and is eighth in assists with 13.
“I am excited and ready to start this new chapter in my career,” said Beasley. “I have heard great things from Brad (Davis) and Rico (Clark) about Houston, the team and the fans, and I’m excited to get to know them. I feel fit and ready to go and hope Dom (Kinnear) will see my work ethic and desire to play at a high level.”
The Fort Wayne, Ind. native joins the Dynamo after three seasons with Puebla F.C. in Liga MX. Beasley’s club career includes stints with Hannover 96 (German Bundesliga), Rangers (Scottish Premier League), Manchester City (Barclays Premier League), PSV Eindhoven (Dutch Eredivisie) and the Chicago Fire.
“DaMarcus has had a great career, as we saw at the World Cup,” said Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear. “To bring in a player of his quality is a big plus for the team.”
In 2005 with PSV Eindhoven, Beasley became the first American to reach the UEFA Champions League semifinals. Beasley has 22 career UEFA Champions League appearances, the most in U.S. national team history. Beasley is also the only American to score in the Champions League with two teams (Rangers and PSV Eindhoven).
“I am thrilled that DaMarcus will be joining our club,” said Dynamo president Chris Canetti. “It’s exciting to have a player with such decorated credentials here with us. I’m certain that he will be a great addition to our club and community.”
Beasley started 17 games with the U.S. men’s national team in 2013, a career high, and was captain as the team won the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup, his fourth career Gold Cup title. Beasley debuted for the U.S. in 2001 at age 19 and has made at least one national team appearance for 14 consecutive years, including the 2002, 2006 and 2010 FIFA World Cups.
Beasley has won ten club trophies in his career, including the 2009 and 2010 Scottish Premier League, 2008 Scottish Cup and 2010 Scottish League Cup with Rangers, the 2005 and 2006 Dutch Eredivisie and 2005 KNVB Cup with PSV Eindhoven, and the 2000 and 2003 U.S. Open Cup and 2003 Supporters’ Shield with the Chicago Fire.
DaMARCUS BEASLEY
Full Name: DaMarcus Lamont Beasley
Position: Defender/Midfielder
Height: 5’8” Weight: 145 lbs.
Date of Birth: May 24, 1982
Birthplace: Fort Wayne, Ind.
Citizenship: USA
Last Club: Puebla F.C. (Mexico)
How Acquired: Signed as a Designated Player on July 23, 2014
