It was beautiful. But I'd guess that's a successful move what, one out of five attempts. Now, if he had finished with a goal?? #1 on ESPN plays of the day/week.
Thats Dempsey in 'try shit' mode, always good to see that, sometimes it looks silly but other times it works. Maybe it will come in handy in Brazil, who knows.
Looks a lot better when it works in the box rather than trying it a midfield and it hits the guy's shins and is going for a counter attack.
God, how do you feel as a defender when that happens to you. Shellshocked? It's like you're not even there. I'd wager that he liked it too. The defender, not so much.
Nice move to get past the defender, but so is a lob right to the keeper. Finish with a score, and either is a brilliant move. End up with the keeper pouncing on it easily, and it just ain't much but useless flair.
Definitely a product of Klinsmann's pregame "express yourself" speech. Part of me loves that approach, and part of me knows that we'll go back to bunkering and hoping for counter attack and set piece chances at the WC. I just wonder how much the attitude changes when the lights come on against Ghana for our players.
Sure, in that case he pushed it a tiny bit too far. So... should he never try it again? What if next time he's closer to the ball than anyone else on the play following the turn? Goal. That move was brilliant and should be encouraged in the box (not in situations further up the field).
what? He not only McGreadied him he also nutmegged him and nearly was 1 v. 1 on the keeper. That was awesome.
Brilliant move. He's the only one what did anything t Ghana last two times out(goal and drawn pk). We'll probably need more of that to get anything from the game.
World Cup 2006 against Italy, British broadcast, the english commentator said: "That's Clint Dempsey; need to watch out for him. He has a bit of trickery about him...He's also a free-style rapper, whatever the hell that is."
This is Deuce at his best and how anyone can discourage it and not simply appreciate how sick-nasty this is one boring ass over analytical fan... No, he didn't score, but that's a marginal thing that takes away from the fact that he got pretty much everything right on that play. This is what Deuce does - he out foxes players. Let's all be reminded that he left a Ghanaian player in the dust at the World Cup with another nice nutmeg. His flair and courage helps the whole team against world powers. Thats why Im not too upset with him wearing the captains armband. The whole team feels it when Clint Dempsey feels it. Its one reason we've done so well without Landon...
Not sure what that random dig at Landon at the tail end of that post was. Dempsey has overlapped his entire career with Donovan - they are nearly peers from the same generation. Different style of player, different results. My only wince around Dempsey is when, like another poster mentioned, he does it in the mid-field and it gets spoiled and off the races the counter begins. Far too often Dempsey is 'too-cute' which leaves us exposed. Fact is, there is no highlight reel where he pulls off that spin, plus nutmeg, and proceeds to score. He's done some great stuff, recalling his plays against Germany a year ago when he just did straight forward nose to the goal work... it's efficient, it's effective, and it works. Though love me some flair.
Sorry. Not a dig at Landon just a statement. Didn't intend to smear. And you're right sometimes Deuce does this in midfield and loses it. But, when on form, Clint is able to navigate the midfield and is difficult to disposess. Its all about the Deuce you get on the day.
Though he's done this... ... and considering the above, he still has the best "almost goal" in US history
Posters get carried away with the 'he gets too cute in midfield' meme. There was what one turnover that resulted in goal in a meaningful game...