That's a tearjerker, no doubt. As a footnote you can also add to the article the fact that "Big Hawk" the guy who produced the "Don't Tread" cut was shot and killed earlier this spring. Not sure how tight they were but... yeah. Dude's got some stuff to play for. Here's to "Deuce" ripping it up.
what I find most interesting is that his story is unusual... and his game is unusual. Has much more " backyard" to it than most of our players.And that is a compliment.
Here's the Dallas Morning News feature on Clint. http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcon...dcup/stories/060806dnspocuplede.1cd47fa2.html As SoftTackle said, this was featured in today's Sports Section. With a big photo of Mom, Dad, and older brother Ryan on the front page:
The Dallas article does point out that his older brother also played select soccer in Dallas. His older sis played high level tennis. It sounds as though all of the kids got the same opportunity - It's just that Clint was able to take it farther than his siblings. I don't think he received better treatment than his siblings when trying to make these teams, he was just fortunate enough to have the God-given talent and drive to take it to levels most people don't have the capability to do.
Not to jump on the bandwagon or anything, but that was a great story. A very "American" story in the old school sense. Go Clint. Score one for you're sis in WC '06.
Hard not to like Clint after reading this story. I get the feeling that if you put a ball at Clint's feet and a 10 foot high brick wall between him and the goal, he'd run right through the wall in order to score. Reminds me a lot of Jay Demerit in that regard. You can practically see them gritting their teeth with determination whenever they play. I think he's going to get on the field (maybe not start), and when he does, he'll find a way to make something happen.
Great story, great young man. Promise me this - next time some jackass sneers at "soccer moms," think of this article and Debbie Dempsey. That's the reality out there. There are a lot of moms busting their asses to help their kids achieve a dream, and what they get in return is smirks from smug jackmos about people who shouldn't be living through their kids.
How am I supposed to hate the guy now (Well when he plays for the Revs)? It was a great story It will take that kind of grit to win in Germany, whether it is a starter, or as the disrupter role that Cobi played in Korea.
I have met Duece a couple of times at meet and greets. He is VERY intense, He looks like he can chew glass at any moment.
so how much time do you think Clint will get on the pitch in Germany? i think he'll be a dangerous contributor off the bench and either score one or get fouled to setup a goal!
That's my guess as well. Although he could easily start some matches depending on matchups, injuries, etc.
the "Motorcycle Dance" from the Young Joc song, the one which Clint tried after his goal vs. Venezuala is all over the place now. Would be sweet to see a bunch of the guys do this when they score vs. czechs!
I agree! I hope ABC/ESPN do more stories like this. It kind of gives everyone an American view of the way the youth develop into soccer players in the USA. To think he was only 7 years old when the United States took the field in 1990.
Clint did not come out of No where and the tiny Furman mentioned in the article was a strong program with many U-17 NATS before and during his stay there. (Not a good program now) I went with my son on a recruiting visit to Clemson and Clint was a man playing with boys. He played center midfield and dribbled thru 3 and 4 players before sending perfectly weighted thru balls. He also scored on a bomb from distance. At the USMT level with everyone having so much talent, Clint is average but in College he was a stud from the game that I witnessed.