Dempsey has been a fabulous player! ...but for me it is clear that LD is the USMNT GOAT. I don't really think it's that close (even if LD says Dempsey was on a faster pace, didn't play against as many B-teams, etc) -- LD performed well over a long stretch and he has the stats to show for it. Of course, we're setting keepers aside here... (Imagine if Keller and Friedel hadn't overlapped to the same degree. ...and btw, Keller won me over with the game against Brazil - I'm still not sure we've seen an equal or better performance from a US keeper than that game.) ...and so many other players (from other eras) could be brought in... But it'll always be apples to oranges. It's a pity though when these discussions turn into 'knock-down' competitions. We've had a number of great players, players who flashed amazing potential, players who displayed great skill... Finally, for me,Tab Ramos isn't really a contender statistically, but I do think he deserves to be mentioned in the discussion (even only if in passing) - but that's mostly because I was impressionable during the '94 World Cup. ...We were doing okay against Brazil until Leonardo knocked Tab out with a cynical elbow! (Still not over that.)
Dempsey has scored against the likes of Juve, Liverpool and Man U while on an extensive club career in Europe. On top of the for Country goals listed above. Clint Dempsey, for me n my buddies, his Club n Country resume is more robust than Landon's for the very reason these Club goals scored in Europe. Season after season either at outside right or up top or even when asked to play a central role. Fulham or Spurs. That chip over Buffon when Fulham knocked out Juve to go to their one and only European Regional Cup Final. Donovan never even came close to this type of Club fame for his fans n supporters in Germany or England. Even Brian McBride has a pub named after him at Fulham. Or Reyna and his lore for Wolfsburg winning promotion and with Rangers scoring against Celtic. These type of plays/efforts over in the best leagues on the planet.
Not to mention that Dempsey is Fulham's top scorer in the PL with 50 league goals in their 13 years in the PL. While McBride is their second top scorer.