2010 World Cup Player Profile: Clint Dempsey, The Flare In The United States’ Attack

He steps up his play in the biggest games.

He sometimes tries to do too much on his own instead of involving his teammates.

Clint’s nickname is “Deuce”. He has been known by this nickname since his days at the New England Revolution. When he is not playing football he is an aspiring rapper. He is a big fan of hip hop music. He is certainly well known by this nickname. Even some announcers refer to him as Deuce. When Clint scored a goal against Juventus they called him by the name “Clint Deuce Dempsey”.

According to Wikipedia, Clint was also featured rapping on a song on a Nike Football advertising campaign. This campaign was going on during the 2006 World Cup. The song was called “Dont Tread on Me”. Clint dedicated the video to his sister Jennifer. Clint’s sister suddenly died at the age of sixteen of a fatal brain aneurysm.

Clint has been an integral part of Fulham Football Club’s success since joining in 2007. He has been a very dangerous winger. In the 2008/ 2009 he scored 8 goals. In the current 2009/2010 season Clint has scored 9 goals. Clint has played big in some of Fulham’s most important matches. In the 2008 - 2009 season Clint scored 2 goals against Manchester City on the road. That season he also scored a tying goal at the end of the match against Chelsea at Craven Cottage.

Most recently, he scored the winning goal against Juventus in the Europa League to put Fulham in the Quarterfinals. This was an incredible goal. Fulham had less than 10 minutes left in the second leg of the Europa League against Juventus. Just outside the penalty box, on the right side he chipped the ball to the top left corner of the net.

Clint has been very important in the Europa League and the EPL this season. He was hurt in the middle of the EPL season. Fulham actually dipped in the EPL while he was out. He is also the first American player to play in a major European Club Final.

Clint debuted for the USA in the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship. He played for the American National Team in the 2006 World Cup in Germany. He scored a goal against Ghana. The U.S. eventually lost this match 2 - 1. In 2006 Clint was also named Honda Player of the Year. In 59 matches with the U.S. team Clint has scored 17 goals.

Clint was huge during the 2009 Confederations Cup. Against Egypt, Clint scored on a diving header that gave the U.S. a 3 - 0 victory. The U.S. needed that final goal. That goal put the U.S. into the Semifinals. Against Spain, he scored again as the U.S defeated Spain to get into the Finals. In the Finals against Brazil he scored once again. Clint scored in 3 consecutive matches in the Confederations Cup. Unfortunately for the U.S. they lost to Brazil. That shouldn’t take away from Clint’s great performances in this tournament. He was actually awarded the Bronze Ball for being the third best player in the tournament.

Clint has also been important in the World Cup Qualifying Stages. He has scored goals against Barbados ,Cuba, Trinidad and Tobago, and most recently against El Salvador in September. I expect him to play well in the World Cup.

I think fans should follow Clint for several reasons. First, he plays football with flair and personality. Clint plays football with much emotion. When he scores he certainly knows how to celebrate. When he scored against Juventus you would have thought Fulham had just won the Final.

Second, I think a player that can raise their game in the biggest matches makes them special. Clint I think thrives on situations that would be considered clutch. When you need that pass to a striker in a big spot he will be able to deliver. When you need that goal to move you ahead in a tournament Clint has come through. In fact, he has done this several times with the National team and Fulham.

Third, He is also a very versatile player. In his time at Fulham he has played on the right and left side in midfield. When needed he has played up front as a striker. I have personally watched him play in many positions for Fulham.

Fourth, he is a complete player. Fulham play a very disciplined style of football. Roy Hodgson demands his players to play defense and keep their shape. Clint doesn’t just score goals. He is a complete team player.

Russ Goldman is Cottagers Confidential’s complete player, keeping SB Nation up-to-date on all things Fulham FC. He will be contributing to SB Nation Soccer in the run-up to World Cup 2010.

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