Fort Wayne Native DaMarcus Beasley will play 2010 World Cup

Last night I watched the movie Invictus so it was nice to wake up to the knowledge that DaMarcus Beasley will be playing not rugby but Soccer on the World Stage. Beasley made the

United States Men's National Team's 23-man World Cup roster.

This will be third time on the World Cup team for the seasoned 28 years old Beasley. third times on the team. Nicknamed Jitterbug for his movements,

"DaMarcus Beasley is the American soccer player nicknamed "Jitterbug" for his quickness and elusive qualities with the ball. Like his fellow American phenom Landon Donovan, Beasley began playing internationally as a teen; he was named player of the tournament at the 1999 Under-17World Cup in New Zealand. From 2000-2004 Beasley played for the Chicago Fire of Major League Soccer. In 2004 he moved to PSV Eindhoven in The Netherlands. Beasley played for the U.S. World Cup team in both 2002 and 2006. His World Cup biography from 2006 praised his 'pace and industry down the wing.'"
Beasley also had a remarkable turnaround and will be going to his third World Cup. He teamed with Donovan to spark the Americans to a quarterfinal appearance in 2002, their best finish since reaching the semifinals at the first World Cup in 1930. Then he was part of the disappointing team eliminated in the first round four years ago.

He was exiled from the national team after poor play at the Confederations Cup last June, but returned for the March exhibition at the Netherlands.

"I like being one of the old guys. I get called grandpa now," said Beasley, who turned 28 on Monday.

Beasley made a strong showing at the training camp that began May 17.

"He certainly had to prove himself," Bradley said. "He needed to make a renewed commitment to the team, a renewed commitment to doing things as a player that make his team better. We've seen that."