Before becoming a sports speaker, DaMarcus Beasley has achieved many firsts for the United States in the world of soccer, including becoming the first, and only, American player to play in four FIFA World Cups and becoming the first American to play I the semifinal stages of the UEFA Champions League. The versatile athlete, who plays mainly as a winger but has also been used as a forward and fullback, began his career in the MLS with the Chicago Fire. He quickly became one of the most prominent players in league, and it wasn’t long before European teams were knocking on the door to sign him to their squads. The Dutch Club PSV Eindohoven snatched up Beasley in 2004, and led the team to their 18th league title. He then went to one of England’s most dominating clubs, Manchester City, where he scored four goals over the course of one season. Seeing the football star’s continued success, the Rangers, of the Scottish Premier League, signed on Beasley, and he went on to lead the team to multiple Scottish Premier League titles. Next for Beasley was two years at the German club Hannover, followed by the decision to leave Europe. By the conclusion of his time with the European leagues, he had scored more goals in UEFA Champions League, Europe’s highest club competition, than any other American player. He then headed to the Mexican Primera División, Liga MX, signing with Puebla F.C. in 2011. Now in 2014, DeMarcus joined the Major League Soccer club Houston Dynamo.
In addition to a successful club career, sports speaker DaMarcus Beasley has had one of the most distinguished international careers in the history of United States soccer. Having appeared in matches for the United States national team over 100 times, DaMarcus has consistently played a vital role in the success of the U.S. soccer team. Some of his accomplishments include helping the team to win the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2002, 2005, 2007, and 2013, in which he led the team to victory as a captain. He also set up the U.S.’s only goal, scored by teammate Clint Dempsey, against rival Ghana in the 2006 World Cup. Aside from his talent on the pitch, DaMarcus Beasley has worked with the UEFA and FIFA to crack down on racial taunting and chants during matches, which he was a victim of during his time with the Rangers. He has also launched a jewelry collection with the Scottish jewelry suite, The Diamond Studio. To expand to the list even more, DaMarcus has opened his own soccer school, the Beasley National Soccer School, which works to develop talent in young athletes and spread the passion for the sport. As a sports speaker, DaMarcus can talk about his experience playing international soccer, his efforts to fight racism in soccer, and his work with youth.