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USMT: 4 reasons why Clint Dempsey is Greatest of All Time

By Adnan Bašić

NATAL, BRAZIL - JUNE 16: Clint Dempsey of the United States reacts after scoring his team's first goal past goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey of Ghana during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group G match between Ghana and the United States at Estadio das Dunas on June 16, 2014 in Natal, Brazil. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
NATAL, BRAZIL - JUNE 16: Clint Dempsey of the United States reacts after scoring his team's first goal past goalkeeper Adam Kwarasey of Ghana during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group G match between Ghana and the United States at Estadio das Dunas on June 16, 2014 in Natal, Brazil. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images) /
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US forward Clint Dempsey (2nd R) celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal during a Group G match between USA and Portugal at the Amazonia Arena in Manaus during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 22, 2014. AFP PHOTO / FRANCISCO LEONG (Photo credit should read FRANCISCO LEONG/AFP via Getty Images)
US forward Clint Dempsey (2nd R) celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal during a Group G match between USA and Portugal at the Amazonia Arena in Manaus during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 22, 2014. AFP PHOTO / FRANCISCO LEONG (Photo credit should read FRANCISCO LEONG/AFP via Getty Images) /

2. International success

Obviously, none of Dempsey’s club success would have mattered if he was a flop whenever called upon by the USMNT. That happens to some players and it mars their reputation. Not Dempsey.

He made his debut for the first team in 2004. Good times soon followed as Dempsey helped the USMNT win consecutive Gold Cups in ‘05 and ‘07. He also made the World Cup roster in 2006, and although the Yanks had a disappointing showing, exiting after the group stage, Dempsey scored their only goal at the tournament.

Then came the 2009 Confederations Cup, which might be the USMNT’s apex. It’s no surprise that Dempsey played a key role in proceedings, scoring in the final group stage game against Egypt, then versus Spain in the historic semi-final win, and against Brazil in the heartbreaking final defeat.

Dempsey continued his incredible form the following summer. His goal against England made it two in two World Cups. He should have had another versus Algeria but was incorrectly called offside by the sideline official.

In 2016, Dempsey became the only American to score in three World Cups, finding the back of the net after only 29 seconds against Ghana. He poked home from a few yards out versus Portugal in the following game as well and came astonishingly close to equalizing in the final minutes against Belgium in the Round of 16.

In ‘15, Dempsey was the top scorer of the Gold Cup and he got three more in the Copa America Centenario soon after. The end of his international tenure came in 2017 as he joined up with the U.S. during the knockout stages of their Gold Cup run, helping them win the tournament and adding another trophy to his collection in the process.

When all was said and done, Dempsey retired from international duty tied with Landon Donovan for the most goals in USMNT history. He ranks fourth in international assists and fourth in international caps.

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