Clint Dempsey’s transfer from Tottenham Hotspur to Seattle Sounders is a serious coup for Main League Soccer. However is it the perfect factor for Dempsey himself, and for the U.S. nationwide workforce?
BY
John Godfrey
Posted
August 03, 2013
10:54 AM
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PEOPLE ARE ALLOWED to alter their minds. It occurs on a regular basis, even to soccer stars.
That stated, Clint Dempsey’s transfer to Seattle Sounders from Tottenham Hotspur represents a whiplash-inducing 180-degree change of path for the USA captain and No.2-ranked participant within the ASN 100.
As a substitute of difficult Manchester United and Chelsea and Arsenal and Manchester Metropolis over the subsequent 9 months for a spot in Europe’s Champions League, Dempsey’s subsequent 4 matches could possibly be towards TorontoFC, Portland Timbers, Houston Dynamo, and Columbus Crew.
It’s a steep drop when it comes to competitors and an enchanting, surprising change of coronary heart for one of many best-ever American soccer gamers.
Through the years Dempsey has repeatedly stated that he’s pushed to play soccer on the highest-possible degree. Competing within the European Champions League, he has stated, is his final membership objective, and Dempsey fell simply quick final season when Arsenal eked out a fourth-place Premier League end, one spot forward of Spurs.
(We reached out to get a remark from U.S. nationwide workforce coach Jurgen Klinsmann, however a U.S. soccer spokesman knowledgeable us that Klinsmann is vacationing in Europe and unavailable.)
Tottenham reportedly let it’s recognized that Dempsey was accessible for a value, and the deep-pocketed Sounders jumped on the alternative.
Dempsey’s rationale for transferring again to MLS will little doubt be coming quickly, and the refreshingly candid 30-year-old will doubtless present trustworthy solutions to all traces of inquiry. Till then, we have assembled a number of beforehand revealed quotes from Dempsey about his drive and ambition to succeed on the very best ranges, in addition to a number of feedback from Klinsmann.
Collectively they supply a vivid backdrop for Dempsey’s transfer, and underscore the seismic nature of his transfer to Seattle.
June 2011, Mail On-line
“Proper now I’m desirous about Europe and taking part in within the Champions League. That’s a objective. Everybody desires to play on the highest degree. If sometime I get the chance to play for an enormous membership within the Champions League, that will be nice.
I might be mendacity if I stated that wasn’t a dream. However on the identical time you must take advantage of the place you might be. I have been right here [Fulham] for 4 and a half years and I’ve had a profitable profession in England, which is likely one of the hardest leagues on this planet.
However there are higher issues to return for me. I have to hold working exhausting and higher myself and see the place i can take this. I do not need to have regrets.”
Could 2012, Sports activities Illustrated
“I need to do as a lot as I can in my profession and look again and say I made essentially the most of all of the alternatives I’ve had. I am at all times going to need to play in Champions League. It is one thing I’ve by no means carried out. I might like to check myself at that degree. That manner I can look again and say, ‘Hey, I gave it a go. Both I used to be ok or I wasn’t ok.’
If I wished to be snug, no offense to MLS, however I’d’ve stayed in MLS, ‘trigger I’d have been nearer to my household and mates, and I’d have been used to the lifestyle. I am a risk-taker. I need to throw myself within the deep finish and see if I can swim.”
June 2013, New York Instances
“For me, it’s concerning the combat. The entire season we had one thing to combat for and making an attempt to get into the highest 4, that’s thrilling. That’s what it’s all about. It’s what you take pleasure in. We’ll regroup and do it once more subsequent season.
I hope for me that the Champions League is within the playing cards. I do know we’re in it yearly. The workforce at all times will get stronger and that’s what we’re capturing for. It’s the membership’s objective. That, and at all times ending within the prime 4. I believe at Tottenham there’s been a change in mentality. There are greater expectations on the workforce. It places extra strain on you as a person as a result of different groups are at all times making an attempt to beat you. It’s tougher, however with the ability to take care of the strain is thrilling. It’s what you need to play for on the highest degree. It makes you higher, the competitors combating for spots to get on the sector. It’s what helps me get higher.”
These and comparable feedback are likely to make American soccer supporters’ hearts beat a bit quicker. There is not any defeatism or humility—attributes typically related to U.S. soccer gamers taking part in overseas—simply pure aggressive edge. And whenever you marry Dempsey’s phrases with comparable phrases uttered by United States nationwide workforce coach Jurgen Klinsmann, it is easy to see why the latter gave the previous the captain’s armband earlier this 12 months.
“Is he extremely proficient? Does he have all of the instruments that you must must play on the highest degree? Sure,” Klinsmann said. “However what is way extra vital: He has the drive. He has the starvation. He isn’t happy. He isn’t happy right now with scoring two targets towards Germany, as a result of he’ll solely be possibly slightly bit extra happy if he scores in Jamaica. He at all times appears for the subsequent recreation. It’s simply in his personal being, having that interior drive.”
“Having a player like Clint Dempsey is a privilege, and if I look back, I think this is one of the best players in U.S. history.”
Given what each Dempsey and Klinsmann have stated about aggressive zeal, and given the truth that the 2014 World Cup is simply 10 months away, how ought to American soccer followers take a look at this transfer?
Is it nice for Main League Soccer however much less so for the U.S. nationwide workforce?
Is it a a shrewd monetary determination for Dempsey (Seattle will reportedly pay him $8 million a 12 months for 4 years) but in addition a change of surroundings that might restrict Dempsey’s growth as a participant?
As at all times, we’re keen to listen to your take. The feedback part beneath is open, and we have additionally created an ASN Matrix on the Dempsey switch—please test it out.
John Godfrey is the founder and editor in chief of American Soccer Now.
