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Clint Dempsey announces retirement from professional soccer

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One of the most prolific U.S. Men’s National Team players of his generation announced his retirement on Wednesday.

Clint Dempsey, who played for the New England Revolution, Fulham, Tottenham Hotspur, and most recently the Seattle Sounders, called time on his career effective immediately.

“After a lot of thought, my family and I have decided that this is the right time for me to step away from the game,” said Dempsey in a statement on the Sounders website. “I’d like to thank all of the teammates, coaches and support staff that I’ve worked with throughout my career. It has always been my dream to make it as a pro. I’m grateful to have been on this ride.

“I would like to thank all of the fans who have supported me throughout my career with the New England Revolution, Fulham, Tottenham, Seattle Sounders, and the U.S. Men’s National Team,” Dempsey said. “Y’all have always made me feel at home, and it is something that I will always remember.”

In his club career, Dempsey won the 2016 MLS Cup with the Sounders, as well as the 2014 U.S. Open Cup. He finishes his Sounders career with 47 regular season MLS goals, tied with Fredy Montero for the most in club history.

Dempsey was a runner-up with Fulham in the UEFA Europa League in 2010 and in the 2005 and 2006 MLS Cups with the New England Revolution.

On the international stage, the 35-year-old made 141 appearances for the USMNT, scoring 57 goals, which is tied with Landon Donovan for the most in American history.

 

Comments

  1. my two cents: forgive me, does this sound bad? i love clint and the “older” generation but i want all of them out. it’s not personal. i want the kids to play now.

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  2. my god do i feel old! is the kid from nacogdoches,texas now retiring from pro soccer?

    thank you for everything you did for your clubs and the usmnt. you will be missed.

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  3. Thanks Clint. What a great role model for American players. I always felt like he epitomized what the American player should be, with his work ethic and with the chip on his shoulder that he always played with. You helped give us respect with your success and goals in Europe. Happy retirement, and enjoy the fishing that you will no doubt enjoy more frequently now that you have hung up your boots.

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  4. Among his accomplishment I think he also has the most goals for Fulham in the EPL. Fulham had a player who scored more goals, but that was when they were in lower divisions. Most of Dempsey’s goals were scored when he played midfield, usually left wing. The one year he spent solely as a striker, he had 17 goals and was 4th in scoring in the EPL. When he scored those 17 goals, none were from penalty kicks and if you removed the penalty kicks from those ahead of him, he was second in scoring from the run of play.

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  5. I’m sitting here in HTX sad. Wishing that I could see him play one more time. Just one more 15-25′ sub appearance or something. I think this dude could still put them in the “ol onion bag” … just give him a sniff and you’ll pay for it.

    With the health scare and the injuries I guess it was time. He was my first American soccer hero. I’ll never forget that goal against Ghana :31 and BOOM! Eat That!

    Come on home to TX Deuce!

    #DontTreadOnMe

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  6. The GOAT. Its sort of fitting that while everyone constantly debated “who is better, him or Donovan?”, they both retire tied for most USMNT goals ever. I’ll never forget Deuce’s fiery attitude, BARS, and swagger on the field that no one ever really had. SALUTE to you, my Texas brethren!

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  7. Arguably, the greatest American field player of all time.

    Amazing ability to score massive goals against any opponent on any stage.

    Clever player who with fantastic skill on the ball.

    The FIRST American player to complete a dominant season in any of the major leagues around the world

    A guy humble enough to walk away from the game within inches of the all time USMNT goals record..

    Great player

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  8. I had the pleasure of meeting him at practice as a fan several times and he’s the nicest guy all around. He always address people with “sir” and Ma’am”. Always greet his young fans with the warmest smile.

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  9. Pleasure watching Dempsey, the hype around that big of a signing back then would be lost these days, routine, but it was a big turning point for the Sounders, US soccer.

    He always played so well in the big games. Even when they shut him out for 89 mins, the 1 min they didn’t would be the one that counted and it would be spectacular.

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  10. Wow- that seemed to happen fast. Was he really that bad this season? Thought he’d last another year or two at least as a super sub brought on to score a late goal.

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    • It does seem unusual (maybe not for MLS) that players retire in the middle of the season. Is this announcement opening up a roster spot for someone else? Was he not able or willing to share his experience in practices?

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      • I don’t think Clint is someone that wants to ride the bench, and they had him listed as injured, but I think he just wasn’t seeing the field cause he couldn”t

        I am sure that is tough, but why wait?

    • I think he weighed his chances of seeing much playing time at all for the rest of the season based on fitness/injury, and the fact that his kids (3?) start school next week. I wonder if he’s already moved back to Texas and getting them in school there where he wants to be.

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  11. He was such a multifaceted player. A bit of Berbatov’s silky skill, a bit of Fellaini’s difficult-to-defend coordination, and a bit of Gattuso’s don’t-tread-on-me grit. He’ll be missed for a long time.

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