Photo: Rangers

CHICAGO (July 17, 2007) - It’s only the middle of July and already we’ve seen the first head-to-head matchup between U.S. internationals. In a preseason friendly in Hanover, a recovered Steve Cherundolo took on the newly acquired DaMarcus Beasley with the home side running out 1-0 winners against Glasgow Rangers.

Beasley got the nod for the first 45 minutes, sparring with his 2006 World Cup teammate.

“Steve looks really good,” said Beasley. “I talked to him after the game, and he said he’s feeling healthy, so that’s the most important thing.”

Cherundolo suffered back problems at the end of the 2006-07 season, preventing him from participating in the USA’s championship run in the 2007 Gold Cup. He played 33 games in his 10th season at Hannover, increasing his career total to 149 games in the Bundesliga, a record for a U.S. national.

Meantime, shortly after getting his Gold Cup medal, Beasley inked a three-year deal with Rangers. He had less than a day in Glasgow before the team took off on a preseason tour in Germany, but the perennially unflappable winger didn’t miss a beat.

“It’s only been a week, but I’m already starting to feel very comfortable,” said Beasley. “This is a team that tries to play good, attacking football. That definitely suits my style.”

Rangers will open their Scottish Premier League campaign on Aug. 4 away to Inverness, while Hannover kick off their home schedule a week later when they host Hamburg at the AWD Arena.