DaMarcus Beasley - International Career

International Career

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. Beasley then earned a place with the U.S. squad that finished in the quarterfinals of the 2002 FIFA World Cup, where he played in all three group stage matches. He was a key part of the United States national team that won the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2002, 2005 and 2007.

Beasley, along with fellow young midfielder Landon Donovan, was criticized by fans and U.S. coach Bruce Arena for poor play during the 2006 FIFA World Cup. He set up the USA's only goal (scored by Clint Dempsey) against Ghana and had a potential game-winning goal disallowed against Italy when Brian McBride was adjudged to be screening Gianluigi Buffon in an offside position.

In a 2010 World Cup qualification fourth-round game against Trinidad and Tobago, Beasley went the full ninety minutes at left back. Beasley remarked that this was the first time in his career he had played an entire game at the position.

As Beasley has struggled with injuries and playing time at Rangers, he has seen his national team form drop considerably. During the second game of the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup against Brazil, Beasley lost the ball on a short corner kick, creating a Brazil counter-attack that resulted in a goal. He was substituted shortly after, and did not make an appearance for the rest of the tournament.

Beasley was named by USA coach Bob Bradley to the United States' 23-man roster for the 2010 World Cup but made only one substitute appearance in a group match against Algeria.