By Jim Sack

Fort Wayne’s greatest soccer star, ever, has signed to play this year for a German team, Hannover 96.

DaMarcus Beasley had been let go by Glascow Rangers at the end of the previous season, struggled to make the World Cup team, but got on to the pitch. Since South Africa he has, however, been passed over for a birth on a US National team “friendly.”

Speculation in local Fort Wayne papers suggested the three-time US World Cup team member was done and would probably end his playing days with a pick up team of farm laborers in Guatemala. Not a terrible place to play, stunning views and all, and probably with what he has earned over the years he could afford a large ranch, a beautiful hacienda, and plenty of domestics to mix his mimosas.

Instead, Beasley is on with a middle level team in the first level German Bundesliga. Hannover 96 avoided relegation, being sent down to the second division, last year by a cat’s whisker, but have beaten the might Bayern Munchen team to start the new season. So, Beasley could be said, with some authority, to be on his way up in the pecking order. No team in the Scottish League would last a season in the Bundesliga. So, that, itself, is a simple step up. He has fit in well, according to the German press, in his first couple of games. Not bad.

You might remember that Beasley was not treated hospitably in Glasgow. His BMW was torched shortly after he moved to town. Later, bananas were tossed at him during a game. That will not be the case in Hannover.

Hannover, by the by, is in the north-central part of Germany and was the birth place of George the First and George the Second of England, the grandfather and father or our own George III who sent Hessians to fight the colonies. Hessians come from Hesse which was once a part of George’s domain. And, Hannover is the largest city in the area from which most early Fort Wayne German settlers came. On our city’s east side is found Hanover Street, in honor of our link with the past. (Know of any other city not a few miles down the road that is so honored?) So, it seems sort of fitting that a boy from Fort Wayne would find welcome in the area that was so good to early Fort Wayne. I wonder if they know?

Beasley will play middle field, wear number 16 and serve as a reserve unless he shines. He did score a goal in one of the team’s pre-season “friendlies.”

While he may never play again for the US National Team the 28-year old has plenty of trophies, souvenir jerseys and a burnt chunk of his dashboard to remind him of his career with Einhoven, Manchester City, Glascow and now, Hannover. All teams are first division, all have grand histories and DaMarcus could, if he chose, rest on his laurels.

Nice to hear he is doing well. Viel spass in Deutschland, DaMarcus!

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