

DaMarcus Beasley was Jurgen Klinsmann’s first-choice left back at the World Cup in Brazil (By Jamie McDonald — Getty Images)

U.S. World Cup veteran DaMarcus Beasley is nearing a deal to return to MLS and, according to multiple sources, will join the Houston Dynamo.

Beasley, 32, has spent 10 years abroad, the past three with Mexican club Puebla, and is a free agent. His representatives have been engaged in talks with MLS since the U.S. team’s elimination from the World Cup in Brazil three weeks ago. Beasley, who launched his professional career with the Chicago Fire in 1999, is the only American to appear in four World Cups.

Sources told the Insider that Beasley is headed to an Eastern Conference club and that Houston has emerged as the front-runner.

It is unclear what mechanism the Dynamo would use to acquire him. Returning U.S. national team players are typically subjected to MLS’s allocation order but the league does make exceptions for high-profile, high-salary players (Clint Dempsey to Seattle last year and Michael Bradley to Toronto this season). Toronto is atop the allocation order, followed by the Columbus Crew and FC Dallas; Houston is 14th.

Beasley would almost certainly receive a multiyear, designated player contract, worth at least $387,500 over a full season. Houston could apply allocation funds to lower Beasley’s impact on the salary cap. Honduran midfielder Oscar Boniek Garcia is the Dynamo’s only current senior designated player.

Corey Ashe is Houston’s regular left back. Beasley could end up on the backline or on the left wing, a presence that would allow Brad Davis, a natural wide player who started one World Cup match in Brazil, to remain in central midfield. Davis is accustomed to playing centrally for the Dynamo.

With 19 points in 20 matches, Houston is ninth in the 10-team Eastern Conference but just four points off the playoff pace with three months left in the regular season.

Beasley’s club career:

1999-2004: Chicago Fire

2004-2007: PSV Eindhoven

2006-07: Manchester City (loan)

2007-10: Glasgow Rangers

2010-11: Hannover

2011-14: Puebla

U.S. national team: 2001-14. 120 caps, 17 goals.