After playing the hero on June 25 against the Portland Timbers, Clint Dempsey was back at it as the Seattle Sounders rolled the Colorado Rapids on July 4th, 3-1. Dempsey, who’s struggled along with the rest of the Sounders attack this season, looks back to his best after registering a brace and an assist on the night, taking his total number of goals this season to seven from 16 games.
The United States has appeared in 10 FIFA World Cups, including the last seven straight. Out of those 10 appearances, they've fallen at the first hurdle on five occasions. The most notable exceptions include the first-ever World Cup in 1930 when the side finished third in the 13-team tournament and their run to the 2002 quarterfinals in Japan and South Korea.
These footballers shoulder a lot of responsibility when they step out on the pitch for their clubs, but they have an even bigger responsibility when they return home. For Father's Day, we are celebrating some of the famous footballers who are also loving fathers. Take a look at some of these players hanging out with their adorable little ones.
Clint Dempsey is one goal away from tying Landon Donovan's USMNT scoring record. He is two goals away from breaking that record. On current form, he is creaky and looking awfully like he will never get to do either of those things.
On Thursday against Trinidad & Tobago, Dempsey looked out of sync with the rest of the team. He looked, and I really hate to say this, like the game had passed him by. Dempsey's replacement, Bobby Wood, looked much more dangerous. On Saturday, Dempsey didn't play.
Big ups to Steve Fenn (@StatHunting) for breaking down MLS wages by team and player in a brilliantly interactive infographic. You can get lost in this masterpiece for hours.
Football has had its fair share of beautiful photography over the years, but what if there was a gallery of short, animated moments that illustrated the artfulness of the game? That’s where the Football In Motion Art Gallery comes into play. It’s a shitty name, but it’s one helluva art gallery.
It’s difficult to quantify what exactly has gone down here in Panama City. For one, some sensational work from 18-year-old Christian Pulisic gave the United States a 1-0 advantage. However, Panama went straight back at the other end to equalize, making the scores level at 1-1 after 45.
Here’s what we do know: Clint Dempsey is now one goal shy of Landon Donovan’s all-time mark for the United States. Christian Pulisic is the best 18-year-old in the history of the CONCACAF region. We’ve got a feisty one in Panama City. The second half promises to be a classic.
So far, so good on the return of Bruce Arena as manager of the USMNT. Sebastian Lletget scored a tap-in after Honduran goalkeeper Donis Escober saved Christian Pulisic’s shot, Michael Bradley scored a brilliant solo goal from distance and then Pulisic provided a wonderfully linked assist to Clint Dempsey, the Texan returning to international duty after missing the opening two games of the Hex with an irregular heartbeat.