Clint Dempsey Bio Send To Friend  

Dempsey made his World Cup debut in '06, starting against Italy and Ghana. He will see plenty of more action in the starting 11 in his second appearance. Signed with Fulham through the 2012-13 season, Dempsey has also been an asset for the EPL side. Dempsey's durability and consistency go way back to his college days. He played three years at Furman University (2001-03), starting 61 out of 62 games, while scoring 17 goals in the midfield. New England made him the eighth pick overall in the 2004 MLS SuperDraft.

Despite missing part of the season with a broken jaw, Dempsey scored seven goals for the Revolution, and was named MLS Rookie of the Year. He scored 10 goals, including five game winners, with nine assists the following year. Perhaps, Dempsey first impressed Fullham in the '05 All-Star Game by assisting on the game-winning goal against the EPL side.

He also helped the Revolution to the MLS Cup and was named to the league's Best XI as rumors began to swirl that Dempsey would soon be doing his thing in Europe. Dempsey trained with the Dutch team Feyenoord and, in August 2006, Charlton Athletic offered the MLS a $1.5 million transfer fee. The league rejected it.

At the time, Dempsey was ready to take his rising game to another level, and stated, regardless of salary, he would be leaving New England after 2007. Enter Fullham. The club offered the MLS a $4 million transfer fee for Dempsey in December 2006. This time, the league took the check.

Dempsey made his first appearance for Fulham on Jan. 20, 2007, entering as a late substitute against Tottenham Hotspur. He played sparingly for the rest of the year and tallied just one goal. However, it was a big one.

His 54th-minute goal as a sub against Liverpool gave Fulham a 1-0 win and staved off relegation. Demspey's six goals in EPL play in 2006-07 led Fulham. For his efforts, he earned an extension through 2010. He signed a contract extension with the club through 2013 in August.

Dempsey made his U.S. national team debut on Nov. 17, 2004, against Jamaica. He played in the '06 World Cup and scored the U.S.'s only goal, which tied the game at 1 in a 2-1 loss to Ghana. A U.S. Soccer Male Athlete of the Year finalist in 2008, he finished the year as the team's top scorer along with Brian Ching (four goals).

Dempsey started slow this season and some even questioned if coach Bob Bradley should bring him to South Africa. Then came the Confederations Cup -- one of Dempsey's most spirited and emotional performances ever. Dempsey scored in three straight games against Egypt (in the final pool game), Spain (semifinals) and Brazil (final). Nobody's questioning Dempsey now.

Strengths: His toughness, ability to find the net and versatility.

Weaknesses: Dempsey was up and down during qualifying, at times, looking tired and distracted. Still, he scored a goal against El Salvador and assisted on Carlos Bocanegra's game winner against Honduras in June.

Career high: Scoring in three straight games, against Egypt, Spain and Brazil, in the Confederations Cup.

Career low: Giving up a 2-0 lead and losing to Brazil 3-2 in the Confederations Cup final. Dempsey and his mates have nothing to be ashamed of. However, the competitor that he is, Dempsey may have taken the defeat as hard as anyone.

Style: Gritty and resourceful, Dempsey's also versatile, moving between the striker and midfielder positions.

Quotes: "We knew we had to pick and choose our moments to go forward. We're happy with the result and we know we're going to have our work cut out to get anything out of the final. This win is huge for American soccer." -- June 1999 after upsetting Spain.

Trivia: Move over Eminem. A huge rap fan, Dempsey recorded his own single "Don't Tread" in 2006.

Soccernet says: His versatility and ability to attack from different spots on the field make Dempsey a Bradley favorite. The U.S. could sure use a nice Dempsey scoring spree at the World Cup, a la his Confederations Cup run.