Player Profile: (8) Clint Dempsey

Born: 9th March, 1983

Hometown: Nacogdoches, Texas

Height: 6′1″

Weight: 170 lbs

Caps: 20 (4 goals)

World Cups: -

Clubs: New England Revolution (2004-present)

College: Furman

Positions: CM (probably strongest through the center, where he plays for the Revolution) RM (but looks equally impressive wide right)

Highlights:

• MLS Rookie of the Year 2004
• MLS Cup runner up with NE Revolution
• Score the only goal as USA beat Poland 1-0 in March 2006, a confidence boosting win over a European team on European soil

Lowlights:

• Shortly after the Polish high, Dempsey was suspended by NE Revolution for beating up team captain Joe Franchino. He was then left out of the squad for USA’s friendly with Germany.

Arena says: “He’s a little along the lines of Ben Olsen. He played his way on the roster. He had a good year. He has qualities that make him unique to our roster — an aggressive, attacking style.”

Assessment: While the likes of Donovan, O’Brien and Reyna have class Depmsey offers unpredictability. Like to get forward into goalscoring positions and likes to dribble at opponents, but also shows a desire to work back and defend. If he can convince Arena that he’s the man to play wide right, Dempsey could make a name for himself this summer.