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| Clint Dempsey has ignited the Fulham faithful time and time again. |
For a long time, the only American players that were ever "desired" in the English Premiership were the ones tending the nets, and for good reason. American sports are all about hand-eye coordination and that's a major reason why USA goalies were always the most battled tested coming into the World Cup. Guys like Tim Howard, Kasey Keller and Marcus Hanhemann all either have spent plenty of time in England or still do. But the US had been lacking a field player with the same success in the world's greatest league. They forced Landon Donovan to be that player, but wasn't mentally focused. Brian McBride was too old by the time he reached the Premiership, and Freddy Adu was a bust. Though, I'm pretty sure they've finally found their man in the rugged, the east-Texas-born Clint Dempsey.
Dempsey spent only 3 professional years with the New England Revolution before darting for the Premiership in 2007 signing a deal with Fulham. It took Dempsey only 4 months to etch his name in the Fulham hall of fame by scoring the game winning goal against Liverpool to save Fulham from relegation(movement to the lower division). Dempsey slowly, game-by-game, year-by-year established himself as a mainstay in their lineup. The American forward had shown such a composed and commanding offensive game that he was moved to striker not shortly after joining the English side. It wasn't until last season that Dempsey broke the England-USA soccer prejudice. Dempsey was voted player of the year by the fans, and proved to the world, actually more than the United States that he was one of the best soccer players in the world. Fulham realized Dempsey's ability to control the ball in the offensive zone and make plays both with and without the ball.
People in the United States have questioned Dempsey's consistency and focus while playing with the US National Team, but those people have not seen his complete body of work. Bob Bradley had no idea how to use Dempsey and really had no idea how most effectively place him alongside Landon Donovan. I'm not saying I know how he should have played Dempsey, but I'm just saying don't blame him, blame the mediocre coaching that didn't put him in the right position. There have been some flashes of brilliance by Dempsey while playing for the red,white, and blue, like this scintillating friendly goal vs Honduras, his cheeky assist vs. Mexico in the Gold Cup, or his simple awareness against Spain.
Unfortunately, the US, has invested a lot of his focus and attention on Landon Donovan who has been equally effective, but not nearly as gutsy as Dempsey. Clint has literally poured his heart out for the United States, and I believe, has been sort of offended by the lack of attention he's gotten while on the pitch for the US. His Fulham supporters have embraced him like he was an England native, while the United States casuals have been all over Landon Donovan. While it's not exactly professional to be affected by the lack of attention, I understand his frustration. Dempsey has been tearing it up in England and quietly establishing himself among the finest players in the world. More American players need to find their niche on their club teams instead of worrying about what is going on with the United States National Teams. When you grow and develop at the highest level you're international play will naturally do the same. I'm still waiting for Jurgen Klinsmann to instill his philosophy into the American players, but while we wait I hope Michael Bradley, Jozy Altidore and whoever else finds themselves in top-tier Euro leagues can really establish themselves there first.
Clint Dempsey has one last shot in 2014 to make his memory with Americans a lasting one.
Enjoy some of Dempsey's best from across the pond:
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