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ESPN's Jeff Carlisle sent out an interesting tweet today while covering the US-Mexico match set for tomorrow.
Here it is:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Klinsmann says he wishes DaMarcus Beasley was still with the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/usmnt?src=hash">#usmnt</a>, and that he really enjoyed working with DMB.</p>— Jeff Carlisle (@JeffreyCarlisle) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeffreyCarlisle/status/588091489361776641">April 14, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Why should Klinsmann miss Beasley? Brek Shea has done an admirable job filling in where DMB would be if he didn't retire from the Stars and Stripes. Two goals and a better defensive record than we've expected would vouch for that. Beasley sounds pretty comfortable focusing on family and playing his last years in the league where it all started but I'm sure he misses it too.
I think Jurgen Klinsmann misses the leadership and experience he brought to the team.
It's not surprising that Klinsmann would say something like this about Beasley. His 121 caps which includes four World Cups and 17 goals were instrumental to the United States during a time of critical growth for the sport and his ability to plug in at any spot -- note the transition and stability he brought to the left back position in Brazil -- gave the USMNT flexibility and leadership throughout the years. He's received high marks throughout the years for his quiet style of leadership, doing his talking on the field and keeping the vocals for the locker room.
DaMarcus Beasley may take a backseat to Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey or Tim Howard in terms of star power and name recognition in the annals of United States soccer history but never forget he made it to four straight World Cups because of his unwavering commitment to national team soccer.