Source: Team_Talk
Beasley dampens public expectation
United States star DaMarcus Beasley realises an expectant public back home thinks a repeat of 1950s World Cup heroics will be easy.[LNB] There may well be far more recognition of the game Americans call soccer than there was in 1990, when they began a run of six successive finals appearances.[LNB]But the most popular team sport on the planet still has to fight for recognition in the most lucrative commercial market.[LNB]The World Cup provides an invaluable shop window but in order to seize the opportunity to showcase their wares, America has to make an impact, something they totally failed to do in Germany four year ago.[LNB]Victory over England in Rustenburg tomorrow would certainly make people sit up and take notice, and maybe create a longer lasting impression than was managed 60 years ago when Joe Gaetjens scored the only goal in one of the most sensational results in the tournament's entire history.[LNB]Beasley is aware life is not so simple. He is not sure the vast majority of American sports fans understand.[LNB]"People back home have read about 1950 and think we beat them then so we can beat them now," he said.[LNB]"But they are the people who don't know anything about football.[LNB]"England are one of the favourites to win the tournament. I am sure the people who know about these things would think it was a massive shock even if we got a draw."[LNB]Beasley is one of the growing US contingent to have a British connection.[LNB]He spent six months with Manchester City - and remains in contact with former team-mate Joe Hart - in 2008 before spending a couple of unfulfilling years at Rangers.[LNB]His Ibrox contract expired this summer and he will not be going back, disappointed at leaving supporters he had a lot of affection for but disillusioned by the way he was treated.[LNB]"I am done with Rangers," said the 28-year-old.[LNB]"They are a great club with great fans and in that respect I didn't want to leave.[LNB]"But I never felt I got a great chance in Scotland and that was disappointing.[LNB]"I need to play football and I need to move my career along, so I have to find another club."[LNB]Beasley spent enough time on both sides of Hadrian's Wall to be aware that while the flag of St George will fly proudly over England, in Scotland, the Stars and Stripes will be the flag of choice.[LNB]Already plenty of Scottish friends have been in touch offering their best wishes to the Indiana-born player ahead of a game Beasley in anxious to ensure England start burdened down by the pressure of increased expectation.[LNB]"England should beat America," he said.[LNB]"We will try everything we can but they have the better players because they play for the really big teams. All the pressure is on them."[LNB]There is even a difference in terms of the wildlife both sides have managed to see in the build-up.[LNB]Whilst England were on an unsuccessful hunt for the big cats at the Pilanesberg Game Reserve on Tuesday, the USA squad have been sharing their space with farm animals on their Pretoria base.[LNB]Fortunately they are removed from the main action just far enough to avoid the unmistakable farm smell.[LNB]But they are never that far away from a crowing cockerel, or even worse.[LNB]"I almost got stampeded by about 80 cows the other day," smiled Beasley.[LNB]"They just came around the corner. You also get monkeys jumping around on the roofs and trees - it is pretty cool really.[LNB]"There might be places in America where you get that kind of thing, but if there is, I have never stayed there."[LNB]
