Beasley's Goal Against Monaco

 On This Day in 2005, the Winger Became the First American to Score in a UEFA Champions League Knockout Round Goal

Dutch football fans became increasingly familiar with the sight of DaMarcus Beasley sprinting down PSV Eindhoven's left wing during the 2004-05 season. The lightning-quick American, who signed from Chicago Fire in July 2004 for $2.6 million, had already shown flashes of the talent that made PSV manager Guus Hiddink hand him Arjen Robben's vacated number 11 shirt. 

"I'm very excited about joining PSV. It's a huge step for me, and I'm looking forward to this great new challenge," the 22-year-old American said upon signing.

But European football's biggest stage still awaited. Eight months later, Beasley would prove worthy of that prestigious shirt number on European football's grandest stage.

The build-up to PSV's crucial Champions League Round of 16 second-leg match against Monaco had already seen the Dutch side carrying a slender 1-0 advantage from the first leg. But on March 9, at Stade Louis II, Beasley would help write one of the most memorable chapters in PSV's European history.

After Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink had headed PSV into a 27th-minute lead, Beasley, who had started on the bench, was introduced by manager Guus Hiddink in the 67th minute. It took the American just two minutes to make his mark. Following some clever footwork by Ji-Sung Park, veteran Phillip Cocu delivered a low cross that Beasley calmly slotted home, sealing a 2-0 victory on the night and 3-0 on aggregate against the previous year's finalists.

"They are a strong and solid team," Monaco manager Didier Deschamps conceded after the match. "Over the two legs, PSV proved they were a better side than us."

The goal was part of a remarkable Champions League campaign for Beasley, who would go on to help PSV reach the semifinals. In the quarterfinals against Lyon, despite missing a penalty in the shootout, PSV advanced thanks to goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes' heroics. Beasley later admitted, "It was quite the worst PK [penalty-kick] I've ever taken. I looked up, and he [Lyon goalkeeper Grégory Coupet] was going the way that I was going, so I tried to change it at the last minute."

However, Beasley's fairy-tale European run would end in heartbreak. Just days before PSV's semifinal second leg against AC Milan, the American suffered a devastating injury in an Eredivisie match against FC Twente. What initially appeared to be just a gash on his left leg was revealed to be ligament damage, ruling him out for up to five weeks and forcing him to miss the crucial Milan clash. He missed the rest of PSV's double-winning season and returned for World Cup Qualifying, starting both victories over Costa Rica and Panama in early June.

Still, Beasley had already exceeded expectations in his first season in Dutch football. Between his crucial Champions League contributions and helping PSV secure their 18th league title, the Fort Wayne, Indiana native proved that American players could compete and excel at the highest level of European football.

Pulisic's Quickfire Brace

Captain America Scored Twice Quickly as Milan Made the Comeback Against Lecce

Christian Pulisic delivered a match-winning performance on Saturday, spearheading AC Milan's remarkable comeback in their 3-2 victory over Lecce at Stadio Via del Mare. The American international scored twice in the final 20 minutes to help the Rossoneri avoid a fourth consecutive Serie A defeat, something they haven't experienced since April 1986.

With Milan trailing 2-0 after Nikola Krstović's brace for the hosts, the tide began to turn in the 68th minute when Lecce's Antonino Gallo inadvertently diverted the ball into his net. The momentum shifted further when Lecce defender Federico Baschirotto committed a clumsy challenge in the box, giving Milan a penalty opportunity.

Pulisic stepped up confidently, firing into the roof of the net to level the score at 2-2. The American wasn't finished there - just nine minutes from full time, he connected perfectly with Rafael Leão's cross to lash home the winner, completing Milan's dramatic turnaround.

"This is a very difficult moment for us; a victory like this is very important," Pulisic told DAZN after the match. Despite going two goals down, the midfielder never lost faith in his teammates: "This game is the story of the season: we're doing well, we have 5-6 chances, they take a shot and score. But I always believed we'd win the game, even when they were 2-0 up."

The victory was delightful for Pulisic, who acknowledged he had been experiencing a scoring drought. "It was a difficult time for me, too. I always want to score, but lately, it hasn't happened," he said.

The win moved Milan to eighth place in Serie A with 44 points from 28 games, though they remained eight points behind fourth-placed Juventus. More importantly, in a period marked by reported infighting among the club's directors, Pulisic emphasized the unity within the squad: "We are a very united group; we have shown it. The moment is very, very difficult; getting this victory is important."

Dest Returns

Fullback Returns After 10-Month Injury Layoff in PSV Victory

Sergiño Dest made his long-awaited return to competitive action on Saturday, coming off the bench in PSV Eindhoven's 2-1 victory over Heerenveen in the Eredivisie. The 24-year-old defender entered the match in the 67th minute, replacing fellow American Richard Ledezma at the Philips Stadion.

The appearance marked Dest's first competitive minutes in nearly 11 months, following a devastating ACL tear suffered during training in April 2024. The injury required surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation process, keeping the talented fullback sidelined for PSV's Champions League campaign and the USMNT's Copa América tournament last summer.

"I am immensely happy to be back," Dest told PSV's website after the match. "The supporters and the players took good care of me, and I'm very grateful for that." Despite the long layoff, Dest appeared eager to test his recovered knee, adding: "Before the game, all I thought was, I want to get in and play again. Fortunately, the coach gave me a half-hour, which was super nice. I also went straight into the duels and was just driven to seek them out."

Though Dest was conscious of the need for caution following such a serious injury, he was pleased with how his body responded. "Of course, I have to take it easy and be careful, but it felt good," he said.

Dest, who has scored two goals in 33 international appearances and started all four US matches at the 2022 World Cup, won't feature in the Nations League semifinal against Panama on March 20. The defender was not named to the 60-man preliminary roster announced a few weeks ago.

PSV's victory, secured by goals from Ismael Saibari and Guus Til, moved them to second place in the Eredivisie, five points behind leaders Ajax.

Sargent Scores Eighth in Eight

Sargent Shines Again, but Norwich Settles for a Draw

Josh Sargent continued his remarkable scoring streak on Friday night, netting his 12th goal of the season in Norwich City's 1-1 draw with Oxford United at Carrow Road. The American international has now scored an impressive eight goals in his last eight matches, further cementing his reputation as one of the Championship's most clinical finishers.

The Canaries made a dream start after just five minutes when Sargent capitalized on a brilliantly orchestrated move. Callum Doyle played a superb pass that split Oxford's defense, finding Kellen Fisher, who advanced into the box. Fisher's precise low cross found Sargent perfectly positioned, allowing the in-form striker to calmly side-foot home from close range.

Norwich couldn't extend their advantage despite dominating possession and creating numerous chances throughout the match. Oxford equalized in the 18th minute when Mark Harris reacted quickly to a deflected long throw-in, sliding the ball past debutant goalkeeper Vicente Reyes, who was filling in due to injuries to Angus Gunn and George Long.

Norwich continued to press for a winner, controlling 77% of possession and registering 16 shots to Oxford's three. Late in the game, Borja Sainz had a golden opportunity to secure all three points when he broke clear, only to be denied by an excellent save from Jamie Cumming in the Oxford goal.

The draw frustrates Johannes Hoff Thorup's side, and the head coach laments: "I am annoyed and disappointed that a performance like that didn't give us three points. In games like that, nine times out of ten, you will win it."

Sargent's impressive form hasn't gone unnoticed, with reports suggesting Nottingham Forest is monitoring the 25-year-old forward. Should Norwich fail to secure promotion, the £8 million signing from 2021 could be tempted by a return to the Premier League this summer, despite being under contract until 2028.