US defender DaMarcus Beasley to fourth World Cup

STANFORD, Calif. (AP) DaMarcus Beasley is too busy to contemplate his place in the history of U.S. soccer. That reflection, he promises, will come one day during retirement.

Beasley earned a spot on his fourth World Cup roster Thursday, named to coach Jurgen Klinsmann's 23-man list for the tournament in Brazil. He would become the first American to play in four World Cups, as goalkeeper Kasey Keller was on the roster in four tournaments.

Now, Beasley is ready to prove he should be starting left back for the June 16 opener against Ghana in Natal. He started five of the six U.S. matches during last summer's run to the CONCACAF Gold Cup, also serving as captain.

The leadership from Beasley, who turns 32 on Saturday, on an inexperienced defense is important to Klinsmann.