Clint Dempsey

US legend Clint Dempsey has officially announced his retirement. He was always fun to watch and a true American soccer story.



https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/20...lint-dempsey-announces-retirement-from-soccer

 

Wow. One of my all-time favorites. Simply, a bad ass for Fulham and the USMNT.

ESPN:
http://www.espn.com/soccer/united-s...-seattle-sounders-united-states-national-team

And from The Guardian:
https://www.theguardian.com/footbal...ey-retires-seattle-sounders-fulham-usa-soccer
Clint Dempsey, one of the finest US footballers of his generation, has announced his retirement from the game.

The 35-year-old confirmed the decision in an Instagram post on Wednesday with the message: “Thank you it’s been real.” Dempsey scored 57 goals for USA during his long career, making him his nation’s all-time leading scorer alongside Landon Donovan, the only other American player of his generation who could rival his impact.

“After a lot of thought, my family and I have decided that this is the right time for me to step away from the game,” Dempsey said in a statement issued by his club, the Seattle Sounders.

“I’d like to thank all of the teammates, coaches and support staff that I’ve worked with throughout my career. It has always been my dream to make it as a pro. I’m grateful to have been on this ride.

“I would like to thank all of the fans who have supported me throughout my career with the New England Revolution, Fulham, Tottenham, Seattle Sounders and the US Men’s National Team. Y’all have always made me feel at home, and it is something that I will always remember.”

Dempsey was known for his never-say-die, hard-scrabble attitude and was one of the first American outfield players to make his mark in the Premier League. He scored 60 goals in 232 appearances for Fulham, and also played for Tottenham. He helped Fulham reach the Europa League final in 2010. Earlier in the competition he came off the bench to score a crucial goalagainst Juventus, to secure one of the club’s most famous victories.

Back in the States, Dempsey also made his mark on MLS. In 2013, and while still in his prime, he chose to return home despite having the skills to continue his career in Europe. His star power helped the Seattle Sounders attract huge crowds for their home games and they went on to win MLS Cup in 2016 and were runners-up in 2017.

It is for his exploits at the World Cup that Dempsey will most likely be remembered by the casual US sports fan. His goals at the 2006, 2010 and 2014 World Cups made him the first American man to score in three different editions of the tournament. He was prevented from making it four by USA’s failure to qualify for the 2018 tournament in Russia.

 

So many moments. Just a huge thank you to Clint.

 

Just came here to post the same video.

"I just want to score goals and go fishing."

 

I'm not crying, you're crying.

 

This man, more than anything or anyone else, is the reason I finally became a soccer fan.
I’ll bet I’m not alone.
Here’s his hat trick at home against Newcastle in January of 2012.

 

I was there that night. If the last replay had been just a tad bit wider you would have seen me losing my mind (I must have been only one or two yards outside the screen)! The ball was heading right at me, might have bounced into my lap if there was no net. The madness that ensued in the stands after that was like nothing I've experienced at any other sporting event. I was lucky to be an expat and a season ticket holder during the 2008-2010 seasons. I was a Fulham supporter prior to him joining the club but I must say, it was an awesome bonus to be able to go to matches and one of the best players on the squad was an American. The fact he is a Texan and I spent 4 errr 5 years in his home town Nacogdoches while attending SFA, makes him just a tad bit extra special to me.

Sad to see him hang up the boots. Enjoy a well deserved retirement from the beautiful game sir.

 

My favorite all time player. Thank you for all the fond memories from Fulham and the USMNT. I don’t think I’ll see another player like him. In my time as a Fulham fan his intensity and determination was unmatched by anyone except perhaps Danny Murphy. For good or bad he wore his heart on his sleeve.

 

Dempsey was the classic example of the player you love if he’s on your team and hate if he’s playing for anyone else.

I’m very happy to say he was in that first category for so long. Wishing all the best for him in retirement.

 

Oh the untold stories.

https://www.90min.com/posts/clint-d...ulham-s-europa-league-semi-final-01f1gbe2h7xk

 

I was a typical American sports fan, ambivalent about soccer, until I happened to be watching a World Cup match in 2010. The audacious dribbling of our #8 through the opposition defense caught my eye. "Who the heck is THAT guy?" I wondered. I had only ever heard of Landon Donovan. I was hooked.
Gosh, I miss that man.