On this day in 2002, Beasley scores first goal

⚽️ | 📅 #OnThisDay in 2️⃣0️⃣0️⃣2️⃣

🇺🇸 #USMNT 2-1 🇰🇷 South Korea

📍 Pasadena

👔 Arena

📋 Gold Cup GS

Arguably the best calendar year for the US started with this Gold Cup victory over South Korea. 

36’

After a Kasey Keller penalty save on Yoo early in the first half, Ante Razov played a pass over the top, which led to a Landon Donovan chip for the opener.

Song equalized for the Koreans two minutes later and the points appeared to be shared late in the match.

93’

It starts with a Cobi Jones throw-in down the line. Donovan to Jeff Cunningham to DaMarcus Beasley.

He caught it well on the half-volley for his first international goal and the win.

This was just Beasley’s fourth cap and the goal set the #USMNT up well in Group B. (@DaMarcusBeasley)

The Americans can top the group with a win over Cuba in two days.

This match would set the excitement for an excellent year for the Yanks.

Scorers: Landon Donovan (Ante Razov) 36′, DaMarcus Beasley (Jeff Cunningham) 92′ — Song Chong-Gug 38′

USA: 8-Kasey Keller; 2-Frankie Hejduk, 26-Danny Califf, 12-Jeff Agoos (Capt.), 17-Carlos Bocanegra; 21-Landon Donovan, 14-Chris Armas, 19-Manny Lagos (27-Jeff Cunningham, 64′), 7-Eddie Lewis (4-DaMarcus Beasley, 79′); 20-Brian McBride, 11-Ante Razov (13-Cobi Jones, 75′)
Subs Not Used: 1-Tony Meola, 8-Richie Williams, 9-Brian West, 25-Pablo Mastroeni

KOR: 12-Lee Woon-Jae; 15-Choi Jin-Chul, 18-Yoo Sang-Chul (Capt.), 4-Kim Tae-Young; 16-Park Ji-Sung, 7-Song Chong-Gug, 5-Kim Nam-Il, 13-Lee Eul-Yong (3-Hyun Young-Min, 72′); 11-Lee Chun-Soo (17-Lee Young-Pyo,72′); 9-Choi Yong-Soo, 20-Cha Doo-Li (24-Kim Sang-Sik, 87′)
Subs Not Used: 1-Kim Byung-Ji, 8-Kim Do Hoon, 10-Hwang Sun-Hong, 21-An Hyo-Yeon

Referee: Samuel Richard (DMA)

Cards: Dan Califf [Y 18′], Eddie Lewis [Y 27′], Landon Donovan [Y 37′] — Kim Nam-Il [Y 11′], Lee Chun-Soo [Y 29′], Choi Jin-Cheul [R 56′]

US Soccer History Lineup

All match reports and stories posted to Twitter. Follow at @usmnt_historian