Yup, that’s the headline in the News Sentinel last night. Marcus Beasley, aging soccer star, former South Side standout, member of the 2010 US World Cup team, was cut from the US National Team for a coming game against Brazil. Beasley’s a “has been.”
Well, sort of.
Beasley is not included, one should actually say, in the team for the coming game. Cut sounds so final. This is not. He has been left off the team before and re-won his position. That was the case before the recently highly successful World Cup. He made the team through exemplary determination and got on the field during the World Cup Other team members did not get a chance to play, Beasley did.
Cut, eh. Well, that puts him in rather lofty company. Diego Forlan, the hero of the Uruguayan national team, one of the top scorers in the World Cup, a player whose star is rising, was also left off his team’s roster for their next international “friendly.” Same thing for top players from Brazil, Germany and a scad more countries around the world. Cut, eh. That is the way soccer teams organize themselves. People come and go, youngsters get their chance, old guys get a rest or have other obligations. Don’t expect to see ace American Landon Donovan in every game, either. Left off, yes, cut no.
So, he is a has been. Yup. He has been (and continues to be) one of the greatest players in the history of American soccer. Very, very few players make a national team. Even fewer travel to the World Cup, and from that few elite fewer still get on the field. As I remember, this was his third World Cup. He has been and continues to be a star. And he has been and continues to be a great inspiration for every kid in Fort Wayne who puts on a pair of boots, runs out on the pitch and hopes to bring a smile to the face of his mother. Yup, he’s a has been alright, and continues to be one.
So, I hope the News Sentinel sends their headline writer to soccer camp to learn the gargon. And, I hope Marcus Beasley continues to inspire and achieve, as has been the case for the past many years. Gotta be proud of him.
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Soccer, boring. Isn't that what professional paint drying monitors watch to wind down after a hard days work?
Oh, Rip. I thought you meant football, that game of committee meetings punctuated by a few seconds of violence. If it were not for instant replays, shots of cheerleaders and quips by overweight former "stars" the game would be as boring as golf. Soccer, hockey and basketball are action sports with movement and speed. Football is a bore, as is baseball. The reason Parkview Field and the Tin Caps have a strong attendance record is the way the stadium is designed: the ball game is secondary to the ongoing party. Perhaps if you watched soccer you would better understand, but perhaps not.
HEH, just giving you a hard time Jim. Someone said something similar to me during the world cup
And I giggled, childishly!
Okay, Rip, I'll back off, but if you are uppity again I'll send the French National Team, if they are back from their strike, over to kick balls through your windows, if they are sober.
I met this kid when he was like 13 and thought his brother was going to be better. His attitude made him more successful, I think. I really really doubt that he will get back in the national team roster again, but nothing to be ashamed of. He is a seasoned player and has faced a lot of adversity. I do not put any weight on whatever any News Sentinel sports writer can write about soccer. They have written atrocities in the past. Look at Riquelme – he didn't make the Argentinian soccer team either, but he is in Boca Juniors.
Well, put Cuna, we shall see, but the headline writer seemed clueless. The Germans left three top flight players behind this last WC because their style did not fit that of the coach. Beasley will probably not make the next WC, but he may win another cap or two.