I live in Argentina, so I can't follow MLS. Can anyone tell me more about this guy Clint Dempsey who apparently played well on his debut last night? What kind of player he is, what positions he plays, what TEAM he plays for, how old he is.... Basically, I'm in the dark down here in the So. Hemisphere.
He looks to be a midfielder for the national team going forward into the future. He has played both at forward, and all over the midfield for his club team, which is the New England Revolution. He's listed at 6'1" and about 175 or so, so he is a pretty big and tough kid. Good speed, loves to attack, and seems pretty strong. He's a solid player who actually won Rookie of the Year this year in Major League Soccer. you would probably get more responses if you went to the MLS: Team: New England Revolution board.
I wonder if it'll be Dempsey OR Gaven for '06. (I'd shade for Dempsey in that case...) Locks for mid (I think): Reyna Donavon Beasley Lewis (Beasley back-up on left) Mastro O'Brien Now, I think there is one more midfield spot open, and likely its between Zavagnin or Dempsey or Gaven. Possibly we see an injury (O'Brien?), and 2 of the 3 guys can go.. Also, I think at some point Cherundolo gets a look at right midfield too.... Going to be interesting... By the way, I don't see how we can take 8 mids and 'make the numbers' but if someone wants to enlighten...
https://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?t=112523&page=1&pp=15&highlight=Shalrie Follow the saga, and please note I was the first guy on Dempsey's bandwagon.
Tough as nails. He played two games this year with a broken jaw before the medical staff sat him down. He is a tireless worker who tackles well. He also reads the game well allowing him to get into positions on the field where he might not be expected but can help the team. He started the year as a defensive midfielder, moved up front when the starting strikers were hurt and then move back into the midfield as they became healthy again. Everywhere ont eh field that he played this year he was an offensive threat. He also plays the game the right way. None of the diving or cheap shots that are seen so often these days.
and there are quite a few coming up the ranks... There was a time I wondered who would ever replace the Agoose's, the Pope's, the Reyna's... glad I don't have to wonder that much anymore.
dempsey can be just as good as a dmid as he can as an a-mid, even better IMO. His size in physical skills and athleticism could make him a great ball winner.
were you implying eddie lewis is a lock and a lock to be a starter over beasley? NO CHANCE. beasley is a much more complete player, not to mention he wont be 32 years old come germany 2006.
Other boards have mentioned that he'll be training with Feyenoord during the MLS offseason. Very interesting.
I am pretty sure he was penciling in Lewis as Beasley's back up. He just forgot the 's at the end of Beasley.
I like Dempsey's game a lot, but I was less enamored with his performance last night than most, I think, and think he still has a way to go. A couple of reasons. 1) He's strong, and aggressive, but I'm not sure he has the flat out speed that's essential for an international attacking midfielder these days. 2) HIs vision is pretty good for an MLS midfielder, but I haven't seen enough positive out of him, either for the Revs or last night, to suggest he's got the ability to be an international class playmaker. 3) To me, that leaves him as either a holding/possessing midfielder like Reyna on the national team, or as a disruptive, ballhawking D-Mid. And while he has some skills that look promising for those positions, he doesn't yet seem to have the positional maturity they demand. He's not quite as tactically naive as Convey, but I see from him a lot of brash, sixty-yard runs with little probability of success. That's something you want to see form your attacking midfielders, but again, I'm not sure he's got the tools to play attacking mid. All of this is nitpicking. He's going to be a terrific player. But I wouldn't write him in the starting 11 for 2006. In some ways I think Gaven is more likely.
Firsteble, Reyna is OUT the question, Lewis willbe 32/34 and never ben a mayor force, like this, I will say that Demsey will be playin in 2006 as Striker and Gaven as Mid filder
Yeah but his game is you can make a reasonable argument for him at any role in the offense or at dm. That is incredibly valuable for a world cup with a limited roster and potential injuries. He would be the backup for donovan, the rm (gaven?), and the dm and an extra option at striker.
i wouldnt count our captain out just yet. i mean sanneh was 31 and mcbride 30 in 2002, so reyna should never be counted out due to age for everything he has meant to our team.
Picture: First Name: Clint Last Name: Dempsey D.O.B.: March 9, 1983 HT: 6'1" WT: 170 Hometown: Nacogdoches, Texas Club: New England Revolution College: Furman Position: F, AM, DM, LM, RM, wherever he pleases Here's a video recap of some his goals (though they missed a few of his diving header specials): mms://a1503.v115042.c11504.g.vm.akamaistream.net/7/1503/11504/v0001/mlbmls.download.akamai.com/11504/2004/open/awards/111104_gatorade_roy_award_384.wmv
Apparently Clint is on trial with Feyenoord next week: http://www.feyenoord.nl/domains/fey...2.asp?content=12790000010165_2_12770000000008 Doesn't he know that Feyenoord is vastly inferior to say Ajax?
I really hope Fey does not sign him. He should play at least one more year in MLS. He needs to play every minute of every match at this point in his career.
He was playing as a wide midfielder/not a winger. Sorta like Earnie used to play for the Nats, and like Clint played late in the year for the Revs when he was merely a good player and not a dominant force. Gaven has a definite headstart as a wide mid/not winger. Maybe Clint will play there for the Revs and improve. But if the question is which will play in the middle of the park, my money's on Clint.
He's the American Redondo. But more versatile. He even has a bit of the Mathis in him. But there's a calm, controlled combativeness to him that would be welcome on the national team. And he's fearless. He's not going to running and crying to the Guardia Nacional down in Saprissa. If Bruce stays with the box, he could see all kinds of playing time. Superdave, you were among the first on the bandwagon. That's for sure. People would laugh when I said the Revo in their own frustrating way were fun to watch. I sure as heck do not see him competing with Gaven for a spot. Put them both out there. Gaven would be more of an attacking sub as opposed to Dempsey who would be perfect in a dmid spot.
Someone posted these pictures from the game on another thread. Wow, I never realized just how big Dempsey was. Slightly bigger than EJ.
"American Redondo," that's pretty good I think. But I don't think he'd serve himself well by making an early move to Europe.