DaMarcus Beasley Retires From U.S. National Team After 14 Years (Photo, Video)

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Dec 15, 2014

DaMarcus Beasley has played his last game for the United States men’s national soccer team.

Beasley, 32, retired from the U.S. national team Monday, ending a 14-year international career in which he made 121 appearances and played in four FIFA World Cups. Beasley, who plays his club soccer for Major League Soccer’s Houston Dynamo, announced his international retirement on Instagram.

Where do I start? Honestly I never thought this day would come, representing my country has been the greatest thing I've done in my career. Everytime I've pulled on OUR colors I tried to represent myself, my family and my country with the utmost respect.(and obviously tried to win) With that being said, I have officially retired from the U.S. Nat'l team. I've been blessed to be apart of the ussf family for 17yrs. I have so many memories from when I started with the U-15 nat'l team all the way to the men's team. I've met so many great ppl along the way I wouldn't know where to start. To all my coaches and teammates, I just want to say thank you, thank you for making me the player I am and the man I will be in the future. I will never forget all the games, friendships, memories we all shared. One thing I hope you all will say about me is that I was a good teammate and ALWAYS left everything on the field when I played. And lastly I want to thank ALL the fans that have supported me and the U.S. Team, without you guys we wouldn't be where we are today! Thank you all!!!

Una foto publicada por DaMarcus Beasley (@trickybeas) el

Beasley was a key figure in Team USA’s run to the round of 16 at the 2014 World Cup. Beasley started at left back and played every minute of all four of the United States’ games in Brazil. Beasley made his final international appearance last month when he came on as a second-half substitute in the United States’ 2-1 loss to Colombia.

Beasley was a standout attacker at the youth national team level. He was awarded the Silver Ball at the 1999 FIFA U-17 Youth World Cup after helping the United States reach the semifinals.

Beasley then progressed to the senior national team, making his debut in 2001 and earning a spot on the 2002 World Cup team as a winger. He played in all three group-stage games but was an unused substitute in the next two, as Team USA made a spectacular run to the quarterfinals — its best finish since 1930.

Beasley’s 121 appearances are fifth in national-team history. He ranks ninth in the all-time scoring charts with 17, and is tied for eighth in assists with 13. Beasley is the only American to play in four World Cups.

Beasley is expected to continue playing for the Dynamo. He previously played for Mexican club Puebla, German club Hannover 96, Scotland’s Glasgow Rangers, Premier League club Manchester City, Dutch giants PSV and the Chicago Fire.

U.S. Soccer federation president Sunil Gulati shared a video of some of Beasley’s best moments with the national team Monday.

Thumbnail photo via Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports Images

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