Beasley apologizes to US teammates for mistakehttp://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/9703154/Beasley-apologizes-to-US-teammates-for-mistakePRETORIA, South Africa (AP) - DaMarcus Beasley apologized to his United States teammates for his part in the mix-up that led to a crucial goal in a 3-0 Confederations Cup loss to Brazil.
The Americans were trailing 1-0 Thursday when Beasley failed to read a short corner move from fellow midfielder Landon Donovan.
Unfortunately for Beasley, this was the five-time World Cup champions the United States was playing against. The ball was swept up the other end of the field and within seconds was nestled in the back of the net.
Robinho's deftly placed finish put Brazil ahead 2-0 after just 20 minutes and well on the way to a 3-0 win against a disorganized opponent.
"The ball just went off my foot, that was it," Beasley said Friday. "I don't think I've ever had a mistake like that lead to a goal in my whole career, so I was pretty disappointed with myself.
"When you lose a ball like that, it doesn't matter, you're on the field and you have a team that can put two or three passes together and go through on your goal. But it's football and it happens. I apologized to my teammates that I'd make a mistake."
With South African fans blowing on their noisy vuvuzela trumpets at Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Beasley said he simply didn't hear a call from Donovan to expect the kick.
The ball ran to defender Andre Santos to clear and, with Beasley slapping the ground in frustration, former world player of the year Kaka helped the ball to Ramires.
Ramires drifted out to the right and rolled a pass across the edge of the area to the onrushing Robinho, who scored with a well-placed low shot
and celebrated the breathtaking move by faking an interview into a microphone at the advertising board to the right of the goal. "At first I didn't think Landon was going to play the ball," Beasley said. "I thought he kind of hesitated so as soon as he played it, I was still looking back to see if someone was coming and the ball was right there.
"It went on my foot. That's all I can say. It happened and I felt terrible for it."
Beasley wasn't the only one offering apologies to his teammates - Sacha Kljestan said sorry for his 57th-minute red card for a foul on Ramires - but the Rangers midfielder is pretty sure his colleagues will have no problem forgiving him.
"I've been around a long time and I think they know me and what I bring to the team in my play on my part," Beasley said. "It happens in football. It happened to me and I'm sure it won't be the last time it happens to anyone."