Q& A: DaMarcus Beasley

The 23-year-old U.S national soccer team star is currently playing in Holland for PSV Eindhoven
October 23, 2005

SI: How is European soccer different from MLS?

Beasley: It's like night and day. In MLS we listened to music before the game, and people laughed and joked. At PSV there are no iPods, no music in the locker room before the game. It is very quiet. I don't enjoy it, but that's the mentality of Europe. They want you to think about the game, and that's it.

SI: Then there's the clothing....

Beasley: My teammates come to training in Gucci, Armani, Versace and Dolce & Gabbana. And I'm wearing Nike sweats. People here come to training in what they would wear to a club. The shirts are O.K., but the tight jeans have to go.

SI: What's your favorite phrase in Dutch?

Beasley: Tot ziens. It means, See you later. I say it to my boys in America just to be funny.

SI: What's a realistic goal for the U.S. next summer in Germany at the World Cup?

Beasley: I think we're a ways from winning, but [reaching the quarterfinals] like we did four years ago is something we can do again. Everybody wants to show they are better than the U.S. and that we shouldn't be playing soccer. That's another piece of pressure we have.

SI: If you won, what do you expect would be the reaction in the States?

Beasley: I think it would help soccer, but I still don't think it would become one of the top three or four sports in America.

SI: What's your take on the Dutch lifestyle?

Beasley: Everybody is open about everything. You see naked girls on billboards. People smoke weed on the street just walking around. That took some time to get used to.