DaMarcus Beasley, 1 of the Best Players in USMNT History, Retires From International Play

DaMarcus Beasley quietly retired this afternoon from the U.S. men's national team in his typical understated fashion: he let fans know about it by posting a very heartfelt message on his Instagram page. He was the first American to play in four World Cups (2002, 2006, 2010, 2014) and I think the most impressive part of his 121 CAPs (5th all-time) including 11 in the World Cup (2nd all-time) is that he successfully reinvented himself from an outside midfielder to a fullback in his last few years which is almost unheard of (at least going smoothly).

At age 32, Beasley kept himself in great shape since he started in all four World Cup matches for the U.S. last summer in Brazil. During his 14-year career (he debuted in 2001), he won four Gold Cup titles (2002, 2005, 2007, 2013). Since they are from the same generation and ironically are retiring at the same time, it's hard not to compare him a little bit with Landon Donovan. While the latter always got the lion's share of the attention for his goal-scoring and flashy moves, you could argue that Beasley was more consistent throughout his national team duties. What's more, he outlasted Donovan on the U.S. which has to mean something.

Finally, while Donovan mostly failed in his first few business trips to Europe, Beasley became one of the best American exports we've ever seen. He was the first American to score goals for two different clubs in the Champions League (Rangers, PSV Eindhoven) and he holds the USMNT record for Champions League appearances (22). He won two Dutch League championships at PSV and two Scottish titles at Rangers. The guy is a winner and that all-important trait seemed to follow him wherever he went.

He had two stints in MLS: with Chicago and Houston. Beasley is pretty tiny and he was never super skilled but he still put up decent goal (17) and assist (13) totals for the U.S. More importantly, he was extremely low-key and never brought the drama or unnecessary attention upon himself (ahem Landon). He is going to remain with the Dynamo but it will be weird not to see him in a U.S. uniform anymore. Just writing this and thinking about his career made me realize that Beasley was one of my all-time favorite U.S. players. What's not to like about him?

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Ribery officially out for Champions League final

Bayern Munich and star midfielder Franck Ribery did everything in their power to try and overturn his three-game suspension but it didn't work.

He'll miss the Champions League final this Saturday, the second game of the three he has to miss for receiving a red card against Lyon in the Champions League semifinals.

It's a predictable but still disappointing ruling.

Ribery appealed to both UEFA and CAS after receiving the red card against Lyon for an over-the-ball tackle on Lisandro Lopez and was looking to turn the three-match ban into the standard one-match suspension (which he has already served).

However, after UEFA rejected their first appeal, CAS followed suit and Ribery will now miss out on the game against Inter Milan at the Bernabeu on Saturday.

A CAS statement read: ''The Court of Arbitration for Sport has rendered its final decision in the appeal filed by FC Bayern Munich and Franck Ribery against the decision taken by the UEFA Appeals Body on May 5, 2010.

''This expedited procedure was referred to a Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) Panel composed of Mr Bernhard Welten (Switzerland) President, Dr Stephan Netzle (Switzerland) and Dr Andras Gurovits (Switzerland).

''A hearing was held at the CAS headquarters today, during which the parties and their legal representatives were heard. The CAS Panel has dismissed the appeal and confirmed the three-game suspension imposed by the UEFA appeals body on the Bayern Munich player Franck Ribery.

''Accordingly, the player will not be eligible to play in the final of the 2010 Champions League. The reasons for the decision will be published by the CAS in a few days.''

It seems like rather than second-guess their offical's shaky call, CAS would like to try and sweep this under the rug.

Bayern appealing Ribery's suspension

It's been a busy couple weeks for Bayern Munich and French star Franck Ribery. He was red carded out of the first leg of Bayern's Champions League semifinal vs. Lyon last week and caught in the middle of a French prostitute scandal (as Shimer reported).

For the red card, he's supposed to be banned for three games. He sat out yesterday's 3-0 win over Lyon and by the letter of the law he'd have to miss the Final against Inter Milan and the first game of next season's European campaign.

Understandably, Bayern is appealing this and they hope to have him back for the Final. It was a bogus red card to begin with so to take away one of the game's biggest draws is silly.

Let the man play, just keep him away from those skanky French whores.

Champions League quarterfinal draw

The Champions League quarterfinal draw was today and while it sets up some juicy matchups in the next round, it's also rather anti-climatic as it pits powers against each other.

On March 30-31, Lyon plays Bordeaux, Bayern Munich plays Manchester United, Arsenal plays Barcelona and Inter Milan play CSKA Moscow. The second leg of the quarterfinals is April 6-7.

The semifinals begin April 20-21 with Bayern Munich/Man U vs. Lyon/Bordeaux and Arsenal/Barcelona vs. Inter Milan/CSKA Moscow. The second leg of the semifinals is April 27-28.

The quarterfinal matchup that I'll be looking forward to the most is Arsenal hosting Barcelona in Thierry Henry's return to North London vs. his old club. It's also a rematch of the 2006 Champions League final won by Barcelona.

The news goes from bad to worse for Blues

It wasn't intentional but after watching Chelsea's depressing 2-1 loss yesterday to Inter Milan in a Champions League game, I just didn't feel like blogging about it.

I had simultaneously been glued to the U.S. men's hockey team's game vs. Switzerland and they came through with a much more satisfying 2-0 win to advance to the final four and the medal round.

For Chelsea, it was a forgettable result and match. They'll still have the second leg at Stamford Bridge in three weeks but it was a lifeless effort on the road from Chelsea.

Today club officials from Chelsea confirmed that goalkeeper Peter Cech, one of the best in the world, tore a calf muscle yesterday. He's expected to be out for a month while backup Hilario will take over the starting role.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=747042&sec=england&cc=5901

Fulham's only hope to make it to the Champions League

Interesting news out of England as the Premier League is apparently considering making a playoff for the fourth spot in the Champions League.

For now, the top four teams in the EPL qualify for the Champions League. The proposal apparently would allow the 4th-7th clubs to have a shot to move on based on a mini-playoff.

On the plus side, it would add more competition for a league that is completely dominated by the Big Four: Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool. Those same four teams have filled the top four positions in five of the last six years. Only Everton in 2005 was able to break through.

Opponents say that the seasons are too long already and this would add a burden, especially in a World Cup or European Championship year.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=742160&sec=england&cc=5901

Champions League Final to be aired on Fox, insert your tired Family Guy joke here

Big news for network TV and the Champions League as word has come out that the 2010 Champions League final will air on Fox this spring.

It's the first time that Champions League final will be aired on a U.S. network (as opposed to cable outlets).

The game takes place at Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu Stadium and it will air live at 2:45pm on Saturday, May 22.

It's the first time that Fox has broadcast a soccer game and also the first time the global event has been moved to a Saturday so you officially have no reason to miss it.

ESPN and ESPN2 had aired the Champions League final since the 1994-1995 season up until last season's 2-0 win by Barcelona over Manchester United.

Fox Soccer Channel gained control of the Champions League this season with a three-year deal and originally the final was going to air on FX but somebody must have woken up Rupert Murdach and told him that was a stupid idea and nobody pays attention to FX (aside from Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia of course).

So in advance, sorry if your regularly scheduled, boring as watching paint dry, Fox saturday baseball game is on at a different time. And good luck trying to convince your grandpa that he'll like soccer.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/soccer/02/10/champions.league.ap/index.html