Clint Dempsey

At 41 years old, Clint Dempsey has this physical status:

Clinton Drew Dempsey (born March 9, 1983) is an American retired professional soccer player who played as a forward.

During his career, he played in the Premier League for Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur, and in Major League Soccer for New England Revolution and Seattle Sounders FC.

ESPN, FOX Sports, and NBC Sports have each ranked Dempsey as the greatest American soccer player in history.A native of Nacogdoches, Texas, Dempsey spent his youth career with the Dallas Texans before joining Furman University's men's soccer team in 2001.

In 2004, Dempsey was drafted by the New England Revolution, where he scored 25 goals in 71 appearances.

Between 2007 and 2012, Dempsey played for Fulham in the Premier League, eventually becoming the club's leading Premier League goalscorer.

Dempsey also became the first American player to score a hat-trick in the Premier League during a 5–2 win against Newcastle United in 2012.

On August 31, 2012, Tottenham signed Dempsey for a fee of $9.6 million, then a record signing for an American.

Dempsey scored 12 goals in one season with Tottenham, giving him 72 goals across all competitions for Premier League clubs—the most by an American in a top-tier European league.

He was signed by the Seattle Sounders the following year and played 115 matches for the club, scoring 47 goals, and leading the club to win the 2014 Supporters' Shield.

During the 2016 season, Dempsey was diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat and missed the team's run to the MLS Cup.

Dempsey returned the following season and announced his retirement from professional soccer on August 29, 2018. Dempsey represented the United States at the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship and made his first appearance with the senior team on November 17, 2004, against Jamaica.

He earned more than 140 caps and scored 57 international goals, making him the nation's fourth-most capped player and tying him with Landon Donovan as the top all-time scorer with 57 goals.

Dempsey has represented the United States at four CONCACAF Gold Cups (winning three), helped them to the final of the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup, and scored in each of the three FIFA World Cups he attended.

Personal life

Dempsey is married to Bethany Keegan Dempsey. They have five children and live in Pinehurst, North Carolina.

Dempsey is a practicing Catholic. He grew up in a Catholic family going to church every Sunday with his grandmother. He has spoken about his faith saying, "I play to the best of my abilities and am thankful for the many opportunities and amazing success God has given me. Through it all, I want to do right, not make mistakes, and live a life that is pleasing to Him."

Dempsey is a fan of the NFL's Houston Texans. Although not known for his fandom of hockey, he sounded the siren before the Carolina Hurricanes 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs Round 2, Game 5 matchup against the New York Rangers in Raleigh, North Carolina on May 27th, 2022.

One of Dempsey's passions outside of soccer is hip hop music. Using the alias "Deuce," he, along with fellow Texas rappers XO and the late Houston rapper Big Hawk from the Screwed Up Click, is featured rapping the song "Don't Tread" in a Nike soccer advertising campaign for the 2006 World Cup with the intention to showcase both the sport's working-class roots and the United States team ahead of the World Cup. The song's video is dedicated to his sister Jennifer, who, at age 16, was suddenly struck with a brain aneurysm, which proved fatal. The video ends with a shot of Dempsey placing a flower at his sister's grave.

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Early life and career

Dempsey was born in Nacogdoches, Texas, and he has traces of Irish ancestry on his father's line. Dempsey's family grew up playing soccer in a trailer park where he and his siblings grew up playing soccer with the dense population of Hispanic immigrants for a large area.

Dempsey maintained his youth by participating in a local Mexican-dominated adult league. Ryan, his older brother, was given a tryout for the Dallas Texans, an elite youth soccer team, and Clint, who was discovered and recruited after passing time juggling a ball on the sidelines.

At an early age, Dempsey made a name for himself on the team, but he had to leave due to financial hardships as his eldest sister Jennifer was ranked as a top youth tennis player. Several parents of his teammates with the Texans offered to help the Dempseys with bills and travel, allowing him to return to school.

Jennifer Dempsey's 16-year-old sister died of a brain aneurysm on November 27, 1995. Dempsey's family was devastated by the family's death, but he later revealed that this experience aided him in finding a greater passion to play soccer in honor of his sister.

He went on to be the captain and high scorer of the Texans and was voted MVP of the Tampa Bay Sun Bowl tournament. Dempsey investigated Argentina's national team, particularly Diego Maradona, and was devastated to Nacogdoches that Maradona would not be participating in the 1994 World Cup game played in the Cotton Bowl. He attended Furman University as a health and exercise science major and a key player for Paladins soccer.

Club career

Clint Dempsey, the eighth overall in the 2004 MLS SuperDraft, was selected by the New England Revolution. He appeared in 23 of 24 games scoring seven goals in his rookie season. Dempsey was a member of the Revolution in the Eastern Conference Finals and received the 2004 MLS Rookie of the Year Award. The Midnight Riders had also named him as the Year of the Year in 2004. In 26 games, Dempsey scored ten goals and nine assists. On his way to a MLS Cup Final appearance, he scored the game-winning goal in the Eastern Conference Final.

Dempsey scored 8 more goals in 2006, but he missed a lot of time in the playoffs due to injury. He appeared as a substitute in the MLS Cup Final, but the Revolution lost their second straight final, this time in a penalty shoot-out.

Fulham's dempsey's transfer fee was $4 million, then the most expensive ever paid for an MLS player, and he became the second American addition to a Cottagers' squad that featured American internationals Brian McBride and Carlos Bocanegra.

Fulham reported signing on a long-term contract on January 11, 2007, and he was given a work permit from the Home Office. In a contract worth $2 million, Dempsey became the most expensive American export to the Premier League in the Premier League. He made his Fulham debut against Tottenham Hotspur on January 20, 2007. He made his FA Cup debut seven days later against Stoke City in a 3–0 home win.

Dempsey scored his first goal for Fulham on May 5 when he scored the only goal in a 1–0 home victory over Liverpool. Fulham was saved from relegation and effectively guaranteed their spot in the top-flight for the upcoming season thanks to this goal.

Dempsey was not in the starting lineup for the first three matches of the 2007–08 season, but after an injury to Brian McBride, he came into the team as a striker and scored in a 2–1 loss to Aston Villa. In Fulham's next match, he scored in a 3–3 home draw against Tottenham on September 1, he followed this up by scoring in Fulham's next match.

In Fulham's 1–1 away draw against Wigan Athletic two weeks later, he opened the scoring.

In as many games, Dempsey got three goals. Dempsey was involved in an aerial clash with John Terry on September 29, which resulted in Terry being substituted later in the game. According to some, Dempsey used a deliberate elbow on Terry; however, referee Martin Atkinson did not report the incident to The Football Association.

Dempsey scored during Fulham's 3–1 home win over Reading on November 3, giving the team their second league victory of the season.

In a 1–1 home draw with Wigan Athletic and a 5–1 away loss to Tottenham in December, he scored his last goals of the season.

Fulham announced Dempsey had signed a deal extension in May 2008, extending his stay at the club until the summer of 2010. Fulham beat Portsmouth 1–0 on the final day of the season to clinch Premier League status for another year. He was one of Fulham's top Premier League goalscorer with six goals this season.

After arriving as a replacement, Dempsey made the Fulham XI only once in the first eleven games of the 2008–09 season, but he scored his first goal in a 1–1 away draw at Portsmouth on October 26. In a 3–0 win over Middlesbrough on December 20, he brought Zoltan Gera aboard and scored his first home goal of the season. He scored twice in the West London derby against Chelsea, which featured a last-minute equalizer in a 2–2 home draw.

In a 2–1 home win over Swansea City in the fifth round on February 24, 2009, Dempsey scored his first FA Cup goal of his career. In a 2–1 loss to Blackburn Rovers on March 11, his final home goal of the season came in a 2–1 loss. Fulham came from a goal down to defeat Manchester City 3–1 away from home, while Dempsey scored two goals on April 12.

Dempsey was named Fulham's top Premier League goalcorer joint with Andrew Johnson for seven goals in his second season. Fulham's goals helped the club win their seventh-place finish in the Premier League, the highest in the club's history, and announced their qualification for the newly formed UEFA Europa League for the following season.

Dempsey signed a deal extension on August 13, 2009, extending his contract with Fulham until 2013.

Fulham scored his first goal in European competition on August 20, scoring his second goal in the play-off round against Amkar Perm.

Dempsey was named one of the top eleven Premier League players of the season on December 30, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport.

In a 2–0 home loss to Blackburn Rovers on January 17, 2010, Dempsey sustained a suspected cruciate knee ligament injury.

Dempsey returned on March 11 after being involved in Fulham's loss to Juventus in the last minute, and then completed 72 minutes of Fulham's 3–0 away loss to Manchester United in the league.

Dempsey came off the bench against Juventus in their second leg, last-16 tie in the Europa League, on March 18, scoring the winner on a long-chip shot. Fulham came away with an award, as well as Dempsey receiving an award for his contribution, since the game 4–1.

The target, according to the Guardian, "could become Fulham's most important target."

In the 55th minute of the 2010 UEFA Europa League Finals, Dempsey replaced Bobby Zamora, making history by becoming the first American to appear in a major European final. Fulham lost the game after Atlético Madrid's Diego Forlán scored in the 116th minute of extra time, giving Atlético a 21-0 victory.

As a result of his performances in 2009–10, SoccerOverThere.com named him as the Most Valuable Player in Europe.

Dempsey was on the substitutes' bench for Fulham's first two away games of 2010–11, but he became a regular starter, one of only five U.S. players to do so. Fulham continued his unbeaten run in the Barclays Premier League on September 18, 2010, defeating Blackburn Rovers on 56 minutes with a header at Ewood Park in the 1–1 draw.

He scored against West Ham United on October 2, the same keeper against whom he had scored in the World Cup. Fulham defeated Wigan Athletic 2–0 winners on October 30, continuing his form by scoring two goals against Wigan Athletic.

Dempsey scored another double against Stoke City on January 22, 2011, knocking Fulham out of relegation contention for the first time.

Dempsey scored 10 goals in a Premier League season on March 19, beating Brian McBride's previous record of nine goals, which was also set when at Fulham in 2005–06 season and 2006–07 season.

In a 3–0 victory over Bolton on April 27, 2011, Dempsey tied Fulham's Premier League goalscoring record by netting twice. He has scored a total of 33 goals for the team in the Premier League, defeating both Brian McBride and Steed Malbranque, each with 32 goals. In the 2010–11 season, he scored 12 goals for Fulham.

By the Fulham fans, Dempsey was voted Fulham player of the season for 2010-2011, and he was the club's top goalscorer for the season.

In the first leg of Fulham's 2011-12 Europa League play-off match against Dnipropetrovsk at Craven Cottage, Dempsey scored a brace. Fulham beat 3–0 winners, setting up a good second leg in Ukraine, with Dempsey scoring two goals.

Dempsey's 85th minute gave the victory over Liverpool a 1–0 victory against Liverpool at Craven Cottage on December 5, 2011. Dempsey became the most prolific U.S. goalscorer in the Premier League thanks to Fulham legend and fellow American Brian McBride. In a 2–0 home win over Bolton on December 17, Dempsey scored his fifth Premier League goal of the season, putting his team six points ahead of the drop zone.

Dempsey scored the equalizing goal in the club's West London derby against Chelsea on Boxing Day, the game came to a 1-1 draw. Dempsey was only the second American to post a hat trick in the FA Cup since Chris Cleary's first hat trick of his career against Charlton Athletic in their FA Cup Third Round match that ended in a 4–0 win. Dempsey scored his first Premier League hat-trick against Newcastle on January 21, 2012, but Fulham won by 5–2 on Sunday, taking his total number in the Premier League to nine for the season.

With his hat-trick against Newcastle, he became the first American player to score a hat-trick in the Premier League. In a 1–1 draw against former manager Roy Hodgson's West Brom on February 1, 2012, Dempsey scored his 10th Premier League goal of the season, his sixteenth in all competitions.

In a 2–1 win over Stoke City on February 11, 2012, Dempsey "assisted" another goal. Thomas Srensen, Stoke goalkeeper, made his 28th-minute shot crash the crossbar and was deflected by him. It was also awarded as an own goal off the goalie. Dempsey scored twice against Wolverham Wanderers in a 5–0 win for Fulham, and his form this season continued.

Fulham boss Martin Jol revealed on March 8, 2012, the day before Dempsey's 29th birthday, that the club had begun talks with the North American over a new three-year deal.

In a 3–0 away victory over Bolton Wanderers on April 7, Dempsey scored his fourteenth and fifteenth Premier League goals of the season, taking his total number to twenty-one in all competitions. The strikers beat Dempsey's record of thirteen Premier League goals for the club in a single season. Dempsey came in fourth and third on the FWA Footballer of the Year list, behind Arsenal's Robin van Persie, and Manchester United's Wayne Rooney and Paul Scholes, who came in second and third place respectively. With a free kick against Sunderland in the final home game of the season, Dempsey became the first American player to reach the milestone of fifty goals in the Premier League.

Fulham confirmed Dempsey's move to Tottenham Hotspur on August 31, 2012.

Dempsey joined Tottenham Hotspur on a three-year deal for a fee estimated to be in the region of $9 million.

Dempsey was the highest-paid soccer player of all time after the agreement was made. He opted for the number 23 shirt he wore at Fulham and the number 8 he normally wears on international service, rather than the number 8 he wore at Furman University. Tottenham defeated Manchester United 3–2 for his first and eventual match-winning goal. It was the first time in 23 years that Tottenham Hotspur had defeated Old Trafford. In an away game against Southampton in October, he scored his second goal for Spurs in the 39th minute. In an eventual 2–1 loss and a deflected attempt against Reading on New Year's Day, Dempsey's third and fourth goals were scored against Everton, a lonesome loss, and a deflected effort against Reading that earned his Spurs a 3-1 victory. He scored a double against Coventry City in the FA Cup 3rd round.

Dempsey was able to salvage a dramatic 1–1 draw for Spurs against league champion Manchester United on January 20, 2013, by slotting away a pass from Aaron Lennon in the 93rd minute. In 2013, the goal was his fourth appearance in four appearances. Dempsey scored a looping header against Leeds United in the FA Cup on January 27, 2013, taking the score to 2–1, but Tottenham Hotspur couldn't keep up the game, leaving the score at 2–1 at the whistle.

On March 17, Dempsey was unable to make a strong appearance against his old club when Fulham defeated White Hart Lane with a 1–0 victory. Tottenham's 3-0 victory over Manchester City at White Hart Lane on April 21, he scored the first of three goals for the team. Spurs defeated 2–1 and kept them in contention for their fourth Champions League spot on May 12. Dempsey scored a long range goal and added an assist while playing against Stoke City on May 12. Dempsey scored two goals against FC Basel in the second leg of the Europa League quarter-finals on April 11, 2013 to send the match into extra time. Tottenham ultimately lost the match on penalties and were thus barred from the competition.

Dempsey was signed as a Designated Player on a four-year contract with Seattle Sounders FC for a $9 million transfer fee. He wore the number 2 shirt again, forgoing the number 8 he usually wears for the United States and the number 23 he wore at Fulham. DeAndre Yedlin, the previous owner of the number 2 shirt, has demolished his shirt to number 17. In a 2–1 victory over Toronto on August 10, 2013, Dempsey made his league debut for Seattle. After Obafemi Martins came off with an ankle injury, Dempsey entered the game as a 34th-minute replacement.

Dempsey re-signed with Fulham on a two-month loan on December 24, 2013. In the Third Round of the FA Cup against Norwich City, he made his return to action on January 4, 2014. Dempsey played the whole game, which resulted in a 1–1 draw, and then took part in the replay at Craven Cottage, a 3–0 win for Fulham.

Despite Fulham's demise of a name, Dempsey was in the Seattle squad against Sporting Kansas City in the season opener on March 10, 2014. Dempsey had returned to form against the Portland Timbers, scoring a hat-trick against the Portland Timbers, and playing braces against FC Dallas and the Colorado Rapids, bringing his overall goal total to 8 in 5 games for 2014. For April, he received the MLS Player of the Month award. Both Dempsey's 15 goals and ten assists were MLS career highs as Seattle won the Supporters' Shield but the eventual champions of the MLS Cup were disqualified in the conference finals of the MLS Cup by eventual champions LA Galaxy.

In the fourth round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup against rivals the Portland Timbers, Dempsey was banned for tearing up referee Daniel Radford's notebook in protest against Michael Azira's dismissal. The Sounders won the game with seven men after three dismissals and an injury, while the Sounders lost 1–3 at home. In comparison to a second fine, he was given a three-match MLS suspension and a fine, and was barred from the Open Cup for two years.

Dempsey received his first MLS red card on July 13, 2016, after being involved with a late challenge on Dempsey. Dempsey scored and gave Jordan Morris's goal a helping hand. Orlando City defeated Orlando City 2-0 on August 7, gaining their second road win of the 2016 season. Dempsey played his last game of the season against Portland on August 21, winning by a convincing margin against one team in MLS play, with the goals being his 7th and 8th. Although Dempsey was forced to miss Seattle's next game due to a scheduled break, he was still playing with an irregular heartbeat ahead of their Cascadia rivalry match in Portland.

Dempsey was ruled out for the remainder of the season by general manager Garth Lagerwey on September 27 after returning to training in September.

Despite rumors of his death due to irregular heartbeats, Dempsey's career was eventually allowed to play in time for the 2017 MLS season. Dempsey scored 12 goals in 29 regular season appearances and was named MLS Comeback Player of the Year for 2017.

On August 29, 2018, he announced his retirement from soccer.

International career

Dempsey has regularly lined up as a striker due to his scoring ability and aerial ability, but his most common and more normal role is off the striker.

Dempsey first appeared for the United States national team in the United Arab Emirates at the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship. On November 17, 2004, he made his first appearance with the senior team against Jamaica in 2006 World Cup qualifying, beating Ramiro Corrales for the final 23 minutes of a 1-1 draw at the Columbus Crew Stadium.

He scored his first international goal on his sixth cap in a 2–1 loss to England at Soldier Field, Chicago, on May 28, 2005, after goalkeeper David James scored a consolation in a 2–1 loss to England. Dempsey's first international tournament was the United States' triumphant 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup campaign; he scored their first goal, equalizing as they came from behind to defeat Cuba 4–1 in Seattle.

In Germany, Dempsey was selected to the US roster for the 2006 World Cup. With his equalizing goal in the Americans' eventual 2–1 loss to Ghana, he was the only American player to score a goal in the tournament, a group stage elimination. In a poll of sportswriters, he received the highest individual award in soccer in America in 2006, defeating Fulham teammates Kasey Keller and Brian McBride. The award was given to Dempsey by 237 points in a poll by 207 sports journalists.

In Bob Bradley's first match as coach, Dempsey was also present as the United States defended their gold medal in 2007, scoring their first goal and the nation's victory over Guatemala in the country's first match as coach.

Dempsey scored the then fastest goal in US qualifying history with a chest trap and sliding shot 53 seconds during their 8–0 victory over Barbados in the United States' opening 2010 World Cup qualifier. However, Dempsey suffered with a slump in form that caused some to question his first-choice with the national team. In the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup, however, Dempsey turned his fortunes around. Dempsey scored a trademark diving header off a Jonathan Spector cross in the final group stage match against Egypt, resulting in a score of 3–0. The United States advanced to the semi-finals after Brazil's 3–0 victory over Italy in the other group match that was being played simultaneously. Dempsey scored twice in the semi-finals against Spain to advance the United States to the finals. He was named Man of the Match for his efforts. In his third straight game in the Confederations Cup Final against Brazil, Dempsey scored in his third straight game against Brazil, redirecting a similar cross from Spector in the 10th minute to open scoring.

Following the disappointment, he was honoured with the Bronze Ball as the tournament's best performer. With five goals in thirteen matches, he tied for second place in World Cup qualifying, behind Jozy Altidore.

Dempsey made history by scoring in more than a World Cup after England goalkeeper Robert Green made a major mistake on June 12, 2010. The disallowed goal of Dempsey in the tournament against Algeria in the group stage was highly tense. Dempsey was called offside, but the replay revealed that he was most likely not offside. Despite this call, Landon Donovan, his coworker, won the game 1–0 thanks to a late stoppage time penalty.

Dempsey was instrumental in the 2011 Gold Cup's winning the United States to the final. He scored a goal in a 2–0 victory over Canada, and Dempsey also scored a goal in a 2–0 victory over Jamaica in the quarter-finals. Dempsey scored the only goal to advance the Americans to the final in the semi-finals against Panama, who had shockingly defeated the United States 1–2 in the group stage. Landon Donovan's pass was redirected into the net by Dempsey, who had a slippery touch.

Dempsey scored the lone goal in an international friendly victory over Italy's four-time World champions on February 29, 2012. Jozy Altidore contributed to the goal, allowing the US to win for the first time against Italy in eleven games played since 1934.

On September 7, Dempsey set his new World Cup qualifying record, defeating Jamaica in Kingston in 2–1 defeat. Dempsey scored his 29th and 30th international goal in his debut against Guatemala on October 16, 2012, tying him with Brian McBride for third most goals scored for the United States national team. The United States' goals aided them in qualifying for the 2014 World Cup.

For the crucial World Cup qualifiers against Costa Rica and Mexico in March 2013, Dempsey was given Jürgen Klinsmann's armband. Dempsey scored two goals against Germany in a 4–3 victory on June 2, 2013. The goals were his 34th and 35th for the national team, surpassing Eric Wynalda as the second all-time top-goalscorer for the United States. In a 3–1 away loss to Costa Rica in a qualifier on September 6, 2013, Dempsey became the 14th American to reach 100 caps on September 6, 2013. netting a penalty.

Dempsey was voted captain of the 23-man United States squad in 2014, just shy of the FIFA World Cup. He scored against Ghana 29 seconds into the group play match on June 16, a player who was in possession of his own country play match. It was the fastest goal in American World Cup history and the fifth fastest goal in all-time World Cup history. Dempsey also became the first American player to score in three straight World Cups with this goal. As the US defeated Ghana 2–1, Dempsey suffered a broken nose midway through the first half. In the following match against Portugal, Dempsey scored his fourth World Cup goal in a 2–2 draw. Bert Patenaude finished second in the world cup's second-highest goalscoring American, second behind Landon Donovan.

In the aftermath of the U.S. Open Cup incident, Jurgen Klinsmann gave Michael Bradley the captain's armband before the 2015 Gold Cup.

In a 2–1 group stage victory over Honduras at the Toyota Stadium in his hometown Texas, Dempsey scored both U.S. goals. He scored the only goal to beat Haiti three days later in New England's third international hat-trick victory over Cuba. He scored his seventh goal of the tournament to equalize for a 1-1 draw against Panama and also netted his attempt in the penalty shootout, which his team eventually lost; he finished the tournament as the tournament's top scorer.

All three group stage games of the Copa América Centenario were held in Dempsey in June 2016. He scored his 50th international goal against Costa Rica and his 51st international goal against Paraguay, helping the United States finish first in the group and qualify to the quarterfinals. Argentina had defeated the United States in the semi-finals. Dempsey scored the first goal and assisted on the second goal, which was scored by Zardes, in Ecuador's quarterfinal victory over Ecuador.

In the 4–0 victory over Guatemala in March 29, 2016, Dempsey's first goal during qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup was scored. He also contributed to the fourth goal of the evening, which was also scored by Jozy Altidore.

During Dempsey's 6–0 victory over Honduras, one goal from a free kick and the other two assisted by Christian Pulisic at Avaya Stadium in San Jose, CA, on March 24, 2017. In a 1–1 draw with Panama City on March 28, four days after that, he scored the United States' lone goal, again assisted by Pulisic, four days after that.

Dempsey was added to the 40-man preliminary roster for the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup by head coach Bruce Arena on June 3, 2017.

Following the team's conclusion, Dempsey was not added to the 23-man roster on June 25, but he was still eligible to be called up as one of six roster replacements. Dom Dwyer was called in to replace Dempsey on July 16, who was sent to relieve him. Eric Lichaj scored in the United States' 2–0 victory over El Salvador in the quarterfinals on July 19, tying him for fourth on the all-time assists list. Dempsey assisted Altidore's goal and kicked a free kick to defeat Costa Rica 0–2, sending the United States to the final and seeing Dempsey overtake Reyna for fourth place in assists with 20 goals and tie Landon Donovan for the most U.S. goals at 57.

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