I don't know about getting the captain's band, but I sure hope he makes the move back to Europe soon. I think he'd do exceptionally well at this point in his career.
Also a captain should realize who is better to take free kicks or penalties. When Dempsey is on the field...they all his.
Are there people on here really writing off Clint Dempsey? Do you not understand the World Cup cycle. If Dempsey was not going to wear the armband in Russia, he would have internationally retired already. Standard international protocol. Best player we have ever produced. Not even close. Very happy he was only banned three games. The referee had a bad night in that particular fixture.
Eric Wylanda had more than 100 caps. No need to compare the two eras. If Eric Wylanda can get 100 caps (almost more this his true domestic appearances), the amount of cap argument needs to be thrown out. Asterisk. *
Are there people on here really writing off Clint Dempsey? Do you not understand the World Cup cycle. If Dempsey was not going to wear the armband in Russia, he would have internationally retired already. Standard international protocol. Best player we have ever produced. Not even close. Very happy he was only banned three games. The referee had a bad night in that particular fixture. Worst.Post.Ever. "Best player we ever produced?". Maybe you are unaware of men like Landon Donovan, Brian McBride, Michael Bradley? Wow. Just wow. So, you are "happy" he only got three games. Why blame the refs? Dempsey is a grown a** man, who completely lost it and proved what an entitled punk he is. Good player: yes. Anger management issues:yes. Spoiled prima donna:yes. If that's your guy, have fun with it. No thanks.
I appreciate Dempsey's fire and drive for the game, but this dude ain't irreplaceable. He'll be 34 in 2017, and 35 by the WC. We'll have a shite load of strikers in their prime by then with experience. One of the best to wear the shirt, but not above the bench at this stage in his career
Donovan is not one of the best players we ever produced. Terrible argument and I realize I am completely in the minority on this. Michael Bradley? C'mon man. Brian freaking McBride? Unreal in the air, was a massive player for us. Surprised you didn't mention Clint Mathis while you were at it. Dempsey is the best player we ever produced. I will repeat it. John Harkes is second. I. Am. Right. Landon freaking Donovan? Are you kidding me? Couldn't hack it in Europe other than one of his two short stints at Everton. Prima Donna: Donovan is your man. Klinsmann was not going to start him in the World Cup, did not feel like dealing with him when he was going to complain about coming off the bench, so he sent him home. Donovan also wanted to be "rested" during World Cup qualifying when MLS players get more rest than any other players in any other league in the world. The standard of officiating does not match the level of MLS yet. We are behind in officiating. We are behind in scouting. We are just now starting to develop proper potentially European level managers (other than Bruce Arena and Bob Bradley), three Americans I can think of off the top of my head that will be in line to replace Klinsmann. I could argue Reyna much more than I can for Donovan. (BTW: As far as I can see, that was Dempsey's first red card ever all the way back to his NE Revolution days. I am still looking, but I am pretty sure that is his first red card. Not sure about the anger management argument if that is true.)
Standard international protocol? So far from the truth. You don't have to look further than Bocanegra, the player CD took the captaincy from to see the issue with your post.
I don't either with that sort of response. Here comes another Landon argument. I repeat. Clint Dempsey is the best player we have ever produced without question. John Harkes is second.
Boca was also playing in a European league during the time you were referencing and was not when the 2014 World Cup came around. Injuries played a part. Playing for Chivas USA did not help. So we are writing off Dempsey then. Got it. Seen him score two World Cup goals, albeit one on a keeper mistake, from absolutely nothing. His one season at Spurs was perceived as a failure, which is not accurate. You don't play for Tottenham 43 times if you are failing.
You haven't said anything yet. Clearly, a lot of people are holding MLS accolades as high as Premier League and Europa League accolades. I guess. But you don't say anything though, so I will never know. (Insert "you are new here, shut up" comment here)
Fair play to you. I have been doing this so long that I am still amazed people are willing to debate. If I offended you in any way with my opinion, I apologize.
Not writing off Dempsey at all just saying it's not fully his choice when to stop captaining the usmnt. I think he still has a lot to offer- though may not at the point 2018 rolls around.
Maybe not Best Player. But he's had 1 of the best careers. Both for club and nation. Not to mention record breaking performances for a US player in Europe.
Outsiders pov: Clint Dempsey is not the best US player ever IMO, Donovan is. Of course Demspey is inarguably one of the best players that the US have ever produced still, but that is his main qualification for being captain. I.e. he doesn't have much qualifications beyond that. I can see why Dempsey was made captain: he's a talisman to the team and the rest of the players look up to him and it's certainly not unusual in the course of things for Dempsey to be appointed captain. However in terms of temperament and playing style he isn't that qualified: he's an individualistic player more focused on the his game than the rest of the teams (this is not necessarily a criticism) and the red card incident is not completely isolated and it is indicative of someone, who can provide leadership, but not always in the right direction. Michael Bradley too is one of the best players the USA has ever produced, arguably the best outfield player USA has at the moment. Also he has a team-centric style of player and you'd be hard-pressed worldwide to find man players with a better attitude/temperament. He's also more of the future of the team than Dempsey. For me it's a no-brainer: the USA has precisely one exceptional candidate for captain and that's Michael Bradley.
Here is my take on the two.... Dempsey will find ways to score, even if it means taking shots others wouldn't even attempt. Bradley will find ways for others to score, even if it means never taking a shot during a game. Now, who do you want to be your captain?