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.”
