The American soccer legend, Clint Dempsey, has expressed his optimism about the future of the national team ahead of the World Cup. Dempsey believes that success in the upcoming friendly matches will play a crucial role in attracting American fans and filling stadiums with local supporters, a significant change after the recent Gold Cup, where the fans largely supported the rival teams. Coach Mauricio Pochettino and the current players are aware that massive support leaned towards teams like Guatemala and Mexico in recent matches.
Dempsey is confident that the team, combining quality and commitment, can generate excitement among the fans.In important matches, such as the semi-final and the final, we were outnumbered in terms of fans. It is the responsibility of the national team players to offer a product on the field that motivates people to invest their money,” Dempsey stated in an interview.
Clint Dempsey
The United States has ten friendlies scheduled on FIFA international dates, with two matches in September, October, November, March, and June, before debuting in the World Cup in Inglewood, California, on June 12. Seven days later, they will play in Seattle and close the group stage in Inglewood on June 25.
Dempsey, who shares the American record of 57 international goals with Landon Donovan, is an analyst for CBS and Men In Blazers Media Network. Currently, he is participating in a promotion by the healthcare company Abbott, where 11 players will be selected to train at Real Madrid with club coaches and with the advice of Abbott scientists and the club’s medical staff. Dempsey, 42, played for the United States national teams that were eliminated in the group stage of the 2006 World Cup, reached the round of 16 in 2010 and 2014, and failed to qualify for the 2018 tournament. He highlighted the positive reconstruction for 2022, when the United States reached the round of 16 again, although at the expense of the experience of the veterans. Defender DeAndre Yedlin was the only survivor from 2014. After winning the Concacaf Nations League in 2021, 2023, and 2024, the United States was eliminated in the group stage of the 2024 Copa América, which led the United States Soccer Federation to replace Gregg Berhalter with Pochettino, and lost in the semi-finals of this year’s Nations League and in the final of this year’s Gold Cup.I want to see a team that plays with an exciting style, whether it’s defending well, building from the back, generating opportunities, and scoring goals. I want to see the fight and grit that we saw in the Gold Cup, but with more quality. That’s what I hope for, a team that makes you believe again that they can win games against the best competition,” added Dempsey.
Clint Dempsey
There wasn’t that great mix of many older players transmitting the lessons they learned over the years. Sometimes you need someone to shake things up. I think after the Copa América and the Nations League, it was definitely necessary to make some changes,” Dempsey commented.
Clint Dempsey
Regarding his personal life, Dempsey and his wife Bethany have six children. Their son Jackson plays in the Charlotte FC academy. Dempsey does not coach, but he is satisfied with his new roles in the media. In the World Cup, the United States will be seeded as one of the three co-hosts. This means they will avoid a top 10 rival in their group and, if they finish first, they could avoid a strong nation in the next round of 32.I think the more players feel that their positions are not guaranteed, and that they can earn a place in the starting eleven through training and effort, the more support the team will have,” he added.
Clint Dempsey
If we base ourselves on the numbers and on paper, we have the opportunity to do something special and I hope they take advantage of it. We need all the best players to be in shape, playing week after week. I am excited to see how they combine a little more quality with this culture of fighting and dedication that has been seen in the Gold Cup,” Dempsey concluded.
Clint Dempsey
