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DaMarcus Beasley is talking to MLS about joining the league as a Designated Player, according to Steven Goff. Beasley is a free agent and most people expected him to rejoin MLS, but this is the first report that he is actually negotiating with the league.
Goff also reports that Beasley would avoid allocation, which is somewhat curious. It is one thing for Michael Bradley or Clint Dempsey to avoid allocation, but Beasley isn't that quality of player and doesn't have the same name recognition.
If Beasley was subject to allocation, Toronto FC would have first dibs, but they do not have a DP spot available. Columbus would be next, and they do have two available DP spots, but if they pass it would be FC Dallas' pick. More likely, one of the teams at the top of the allocation order would trade their spot to a team lower that really wants Beasley.
Beasley started his career in MLS, joining the LA Galaxy after establishing himself as one of the United States' best young players, but he was traded to the Chicago Fire before he ever played for LA. It wasn't long before Beasley was one of the league's best players and a regular for the national team. By 2004, he had earned a move away from MLS, signing with PSV Eindhoven and beginning a European career that would take him to Manchester City, Rangers and Hannover. Three years ago, he moved to Puebla, where he revived his career and re-established himself on the national team -- this time as a left back instead of his usual left wing -- but at 32 years old, has hinted at finishing his career in MLS.
Beasley would almost certainly play on the wing in MLS, not at left back, but he showed at the World Cup that he still has something left in the tank. He was one of the Americans' better players, and while he may not have a lot of years left, he would definitely be a boost to whoever signs him for the rest of this season and maybe another one or two.
It has been 10 years since Beasley played in MLS, but he should be back in the league before long. What team he will play for is still unclear, but the man who holds the American record for goals in the Champions League and is the only American to play in four World Cups, looks set to rejoin the league that kickstarted his career.