American men’s soccer legend and Dynamo mainstay
DeMarcus Beasley played his last professional soccer game Sunday at BBVA
stadium. “DeMarcus Beasley Day” created an emotional atmosphere to end to the
season, as well as ninety thrilling minutes of action.
Beasley was honored with a pre-game ceremony in
the presence of his family and Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner. Major League
Soccer fans everywhere had their eyes on BBVA Stadium for the afternoon game
where Beasley hoped to finish his career on a high note.
Although the
Dynamo were not playing for a playoff spot, they were playing for much more in
this game. They wanted this win for Beasley’s farewell match.
Although the
Dynamo grabbed a 4-2 victory, the game was even throughout the whole match as the
Dynamo outshot the LA Galaxy 21 to 20. This was due in part to both teams being
very offensively minded. The Dynamo also had four saves compared to the Galaxy’s
three as well as both teams being awarded one yellow card each.
The Galaxy were
on the Dynamo early as forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored nine minutes into the
game, adding to his second place total of goals in the league with 30 on the
season. The rest of the half was very slow until Dynamo forward Christian
Ramirez scored a game-tying goal in stoppage time of the first half. This gave the
Dynamo all the momentum going into the last 45 minutes.
The second half nearly
replicated the first. Nine minutes into the second half the Galaxy scored again
like clockwork. For the second time the Dynamo were behind. Thirty minutes
remained in the game when Dynamo defender Aljaz Struna sent a long cross into
the penalty area. Albert Elis controlled the ball with his chest and took a
shot that once again evened the score.
But the game would not
end in a draw. Elis made another impressive play when he stole the ball from L.A.
defender Dave Romney at the end of the field and made a pass that found the
feet of Ramirez for a goal. In the 82nd minute, the Dynamo were ahead of the Galaxy,
and the crowd reveled in the moment. Six minutes later captain Beasley was subbed
off as a curtain call.
That moment marked the
end of Beasley’s professional soccer career. As he walked off, his teammates
and soccer colleagues approached him to say their symbolic farewells. The crowd
rose to their feet and cheered as they demonstrated their love and
appreciation. Beasley held back his tears as much as he could. He walked off
with tears running down his cheeks and with a smile on his face. The
prolonged goodbye underlined an emotional moment for American soccer fans and for
Beasley fans around the world.
After the captain was
subbed off the pitch, the Dynamo managed to make one more attempt on goal. Elis
used his speed and agility to skillfully evade defender Diego Polenta and then assist
Memo Rodriguez in scoring his eighth goal of the season.
After the game, Beasley spoke to the media in his final press conference.
“I told the boys to not make this game about me” Beasley said. “Just win the game. Don’t do anything special, and don’t do anything out of the ordinary. I just want to play. I just want to win. I play with a smile on my face, and that’s just who I am.”