Greg Seltzer (of MLSSoccer and No Short Corners fame) talked to Dempsey’s agent, Lyle Yorks about a potential move away from Craven Cottage.  Yorks said there were “Big Clubs” looking at Dempsey in France and Italy.

My purpose is not to ponder and conjecture about where Dempsey will end up, whether it is ultimately at Fulham, or somewhere else, it is rather to say that if the opportunity comes to join a big club, he should take it.

Dempsey is at the prime of his career, coming off a World Cup where he was arguably the best player for his team, a team that won its group, and on another day, would be competing in a quarterfinal tomorrow.  He has Europa League experience, he was the Bronze ball winner at last year’s Confederations Cup, just behind Luis Fabiano and Kaka, two players who’s transfer fees alone are ten times more than that of Dempsey, and he has a never say die attitude, the mentality of winner.

Dempsey’s mentality is perhaps is most useful quality.  just when things are looking most bleak, he arises with magic, a cunning back heel, a daring run, or a crucial goal.  Demspey has been the x-factor, the game changer on every professional team he has ever played on.  He was New England’s star, playing with flair and panache.  When he moved to Fulham, he once again assumed the same role.  He scored the goal to keep Fulham up against Liverpool in 2007, and once again a stunning chip this past season to knock out mighty Juventus from the Europa League.  At the Confederations Cup, he scored clinching goals against Egypt and Spain.

Landon Donovan is undoubtedly the Poster Boy of the National Team, and he his performances serve to substantiate the claim.  Clint Dempsey will never be the leading scorer, assister, or cap-winner on the National Team, but he has an opportunity to eclipse Donovan in the club soccer world.

In the Modern Era, no American field player has ever featured with regularity and success for a top club in one of the top European Leagues (No, I don’t count Damarcus Beasley at PSV).  Donovan, although he enjoyed success at Everton, couldn’t cut it at Bayern Munich or Bayer Leverkusen, the two top clubs he played for.  Dempsey has a chance, with a move to a big side, to cement his legacy as the best American club player of all time.

People have been saying for a long time that what America needs is a superstar player to root for, to get behind, to support.  It wasn’t Freddy Adu, but perhaps it is Clint Dempsey.  Everywhere Dempsey has played, he has done well, and with his recent glowing performances in Europe and for the National Team, he is primed for success at whichever club he moves to.

Especially for the longevity of the National Team, the American Youth need a trailblazer at Europe’s top clubs, somebody who they can look to for inspiration.  Most assumed it would be some young star, but perhaps it is Clint Dempsey, one already among our ranks.

If some storied European Club comes calling, he shouldn’t shy away or fear he wouldn’t get playing time.  He should take his chance, as it may only come once, and cement his legacy as the best club soccer player this country has ever produced.

–Max Zeger

I’m going to defer to Kartik Krishnaiyer who has been on the case from day one and has good knowledge of the sale, and it’s implications.  Take a peek.

-Max Zeger

Very Nice!

-Max Zeger

-To start off, I need to pimp three articles I have written for goal.com recently.  The first is the new outlook of the US World Cup Roster based on the post Azteca fallout.  The next is a catchup with Vincenzo Bernardo, and finally, a chat with Lee Nguyen who’s playing in Vietnam.

-Bakary Soumare is off to France to join Boulogne.

-Jozy Altidore scored a 30 yard blast in a Carling Cup match yesterday vs. Southend.

-Paul Oberjeurge with an in-depth look at the Landon Donovan to PSG rumors.  It’s quality stuff.

-Fifa.com has a fascinating feature on Thomas Rongen.

-And finally, a look at the unfortunate story in which World Soccer Daily has been pushed off the air.

–Max Zeger

One interesting thing to note is the notable difference in career path as opposed to Freddy Adu.  At 14, Adu was playing in MLS, and six years later, it’s clear that maybe he would have been better served developing in a European academy.  The path taken by Gyau and Renken as well as Lleget who joined West Ham, and Luis Gil who recently joined Arsenal, is far different.  They don’t have to deal with the pressures associated with being a young star being pushed to produce before they are ready.  For this reason, I support any US youngster’s move to a European Academy.

While I really should hold my tongue on this because I might jinx are chances, I’m really looking forward to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.  With many of our youngsters joining big European clubs, we may have the most talented World Cup roster yet come 2014.

That’s all for now, if you want more information, you can look here.

–Max Zeger

Jozy has fantastic skill.  We all know that.  He’s big, strong, quick, and he uses all of those tools well, but I think a tempering of expectations is in order.  While Jozy’s first touch in the Premiership was perfect, the rest of his performance was slightly less heartening.  Bolton’s defending was shambolic after the goal, and Jozy found himself in space numerous times.  Most premier league defenses are organized and disciplined, so Jozy will need to be on top of his game to get space and shots.

I like to think of England this way:  The top 14 teams are premiership quality.  The final 6 are in between Championship and Premiership along with the top 6 from the Championship.  Bolton is in that bottom 6, and when he goes up against the likes of Chelsea, or even Fulham, space like he saw saturday will be hard to find.

I love Jozy’s game.  I’m not hating on him, I just think the expectations need to be lowered.  Ten goals this season would be fantastic.  The real litmus test comes in a month when Hull face Liverpool.  Unless Jozy starts scoring goals consistently before then, I’ll wait and see how he battles against the big boys.

–Max Zeger

Summer’s ending soon, the high schools have started fall practices, and a lot of us will go back to college, so I thought I’d organize a big end to the summer while everyone was still around.

…So I challenged the NY Red Bulls* to a match. Seriously. I think we can take them.

If they show:

5:30 PM
2104 W. Rogers Ave

Bring:

Light/Dark Shirts
Water
Balls
Friends

See you there!

Bryan

*Baltimore Pick-Up Soccer is not responsible if the NY Red Bulls do not show or participate on Thursday. Baltimore Pick-Up Soccer can also not be held responsible if the NY Red Bulls show little soccer acumen, teamwork, or athleticism. The NY Red Bulls are not a soccer club; they sell energy drinks.

This really sums up the awful season that the Red Bulls have had.  They couldn’t even beat W Connection from Trinidad at home.  I really feel awful for the fans, and keep in mind that is coming from a DC United fan… I’m supposed to hate.

–Max Zeger

This would certainly be a great move for the youngster.

–Max Zeger

I’m getting out of here before I start dancing myself to some Eurobeats!

–Max Zeger

 Do I like this move?  Yes.  Sochaux have just sold a striker, so Davies at the very worst will be the third striker, but chances are, he will be starting in Ligue 1.  I also like that he hasn’t moved to a league that isn’t too big.  Davies, although talented, is not yet ready for the Premiership, or La Liga, but France is a stepping stone to those big leagues.  He will be in the shop window, and if he can prove his worth by bagging some goals, he could be in line for a move to a top European club in a few years.  

What do you think of the move?  Excited to see Davies finally take get his long awaited move to France?  Let’s hear it.