Tuesday News and Notes: Beasley Golazo

Sorry for the lack of posts over the last 48 hours, I've been pulled away from the blogosphere by the demands of the real world. I'll pick up right where I left off, though, starting with this post on some of the big new stories on the day.

Beasley Continues to Impress

DaMarcus Beasley looks completely rejuvenated of late, turning in fine performance after fine performance. Today, against Dundee United, Beasley added to that impressive run of form with another spectacular showing, scoring on a fantastic left-footed curler from the corner of the box. Playing at right midfield, Beasley freed himself from a defender before hitting a bending shot to the far post. The shot went over and around the Dundee United keeper and into the net, giving Rangers a 1-0 lead that they would only add to. Beasley went on to add an assist to his stat line later in the game, setting up Kenny Miller for the third and final goal in a 3-0 Rangers victory before being pulled off in the 82nd minute. The win vaults Beasley's team to the top of the SPL standings, one point ahead of rivals Celtic.

Though a lot still lies ahead, it seems more and more likely every week that DaMarcus Beasley will be in South Africa come June. Aside from the great run of form, Beasley just looks like a completely different player than the one fans have seen over the past year or so. It looks like he's regained that extra gear, that quickness that made him such an attacking threat for the USMNT in years past. I'm no doctor, but I've been told by more informed sources that players who suffer knee injuries like the one Beasley had back towards the end of 2007 usually need two years to get back up to being completely healthy. Though I don't know if that's exactly true, it would seem to make sense in this case, as the former Chicago Fire star is looking like his pre-injury self, creating havoc on the wing and playing with confidence.

With the transfer window quickly approaching, Beasley is only increasing his value, assuming Rangers do decide to unload his contract. If it weren't for Rangers' financial issues, you would have to figure that Beasley would be kept around as a key cog in the stretch run of Rangers' title defense. Regardless of what happens at the club level, though, it seems probable that Run DMB will be back with the Yanks early next year.

Holden Offered Big MLS Contract

It's being reported that MLS has offered Stuart Holden a contract that would pay the Dynamo star $350,000 per year. When you consider that he was making just $35,000 last season, this qualifies as a significant pay raise. With Holden's contract set to expire, Don Garber and company have made their pitch to keep the Aberdeen native from making the jump to Europe. Holden has said that he is flattered by the offer and will consider all of his options before making a decision.

USA-Honduras Confirmed

After such a busy year for the USMNT, these two months between games seems like an eternity. While it won't make the wait any shorter, US Soccer did announce the team's first friendly of 2010 today. Bob Bradley's side will take on fellow-CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers Honduras at the Home Depot Center on January 23rd at 9 PM ET. The announcement just confirms what was being reported earlier in the week, but fans now have a definitive time and date to anticipate in these dreary winter months.

European Wrap-Up

Aside from DaMarcus Beasley's start with Rangers, there were several other USMNT players whose teams were in action today. Brad Guzan once again sat, as Brad Friedel got the start for Aston Villa in their 2-0 win over Sunderland. Jonathan Spector, meanwhile, was an unused substitute for West Ham in their 3-1 loss to Bolton. Last, but not least, Marcus Hahnemann started in Wolverhampton's 3-0 loss at the hands of Manchester United.