Yanks Soccer

Opportunities in life are far and few between.  They come fleetingly, on the whims and wants of others, so when they do come, they must be taken, taken and pursued to the fullest.

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