One to Watch – Clint Dempsey

Name: Clint Dempsey

Date of Birth: 9/3/1983

Nationality: USA

Former Clubs: New England Revolution

League Appearances (Goals): 224 (59)

International Appearances (Goals): 78 (22)

Stat of the Day: Clint Dempsey scored a season-high 5 Premier League goals from corners in the 2010/2011 season

The Premier League has often been graced with talented goalkeepers of American nationality (not forgetting ex-QPR goalkeeper Juergen Sommer), but a handful of ‘soccer` flops have had their fair chance of making a name in the English top flight (Eddie Johnson, Jozy Altidore, Oguchi Onyewu to name a few) and have sensationally failed to impress. One not to be associated with this assembly of American washouts is Clint Dempsey. The 28-year-old has brought guile, enthusiasm and a touch of class to Craven Cottage, earning him the respect of everyone associated with Fulham.

Dempsey has the knack of making things happen out of nothing, and whilst he prefers to play in an attacking role just behind the striker, is often employed as a left winger able to cut in and create chances for his strike partners. He is certainly a player that has a bit of everything – great dribbling technique, an impressive heading ability, the skill of getting in simple goal scoring positions and a feistiness that adds a bit of toughness to his game. One of the many under-rated players in the Premier League the American is definitely one to watch out for on Sunday.

(If you fancy a laugh, search for Clint Dempsey (aka Deuce) ‘rapping` on youtube).

Playing Career

‘The New England Revolution selected Clint Dempsey 8th overall in the 2004 MLS SuperDraft`. As I`m not entirely sure what that actually means, we`ll say Dempsey started off his career at The New England Revolution, where in his first season he scored seven goals in 24 appearances, earning him the honor of ‘MLS Rookie of the Year 2004`.

In 2007 Fulham signed Dempsey for $4 million, then the largest amount ever offered for an MLS player. During his first few months at Craven Cottage, Fulham`s longest serving player helped retain the club`s top-flight status at the end of the 2006/07 with a winning goal against Liverpool. Dempsey continued his goal scoring form the season after, finishing as the club`s joint top scorer in the league with seven alongside Andrew Johnson.

At the end of the 2008/09 season the frontman led the United States to the final of the Confederations Cup, underlining his talent on the international stage with three goals in five games – form that earned him the Bronze Ball as the tournament`s third best player behind Tim Howard and winner Kaka. During the 2009/10 season Dempsey more than played his part in helping Fulham reach the Final of the UEFA Europa League. It was his winning goal against Juventus, a spectacular chip from 20 yards, which earned Fulham a 5-4 aggregate victory over the Italian giants.

Following his European adventure with Fulham, Dempsey headed to the 2010 World Cup, managing to ‘score` against England. Dempsey returned to Fulham to lead the line admirably during the 2010/11 season, scoring 13 goals as Fulham finished the season in 8th place. This season Dempsey has started where he left off last campaign, scoring a brace against FC Dnipro in the UEFA Europa League.