CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The New England Revolution selected midfielder Clint Dempsey, a Nike Project-40 signee out of Furman University, with the eighth overall pick in the first round of the fifth annual MLS SuperDraft this morning.

A three-year star at Furman, Dempsey finished in the top four on his squad in scoring in each of his three seasons with the Paladins, finishing with 17 goals and 19 assists for 53 points in 62 games. During his time at Furman, Dempsey helped lead his team to a pair of Southern Conference titles and two NCAA Tournament appearances, including a berth in the third round in 2002 and a top 10 National ranking. He was a second team NSCAA All-America selection in 2002.

Dempsey was named to the United States Under-20 National Team for the FIFA World Youth Championships where he made one appearance, replacing Freddy Adu for the final 20 minutes against Korea to help the U.S. win its group and advance to the quarterfinals.

Dempsey can play attacking midfield, wide midfield, and forward as well as in the defense. He is forgoing his senior year at Furman to play professionally.

“The kid’s versatile. He’s a horse, he’s a monster,” said Revolution Head Coach Steve Nicol. “Because he’s versatile, early on in his career we might, you know what we do, we just chuck people in - and that might help him get time to begin with. And then we find out through training and everything else where his fit is.”

“It’s real exciting. I just hope I can in the mix, get some playing time. I’m looking forward to preseason, looking forward to meeting all the guys and learning from them,” Dempsey said.

Dempsey is just the third first round selection for New England since the inception of the SuperDraft in 2000. Taylor Twellman (2002) and Pat Noonan (2003) are the other two.  Dempsey will join the Revolution for preseason training, which begins in February.

Before the draft began this morning, the Revolution traded their natural second round pick (18) for the Chicago Fire’s natural first round pick (9). Once on the clock in the first round, New England then traded the 9th selection back to Chicago for the player allocation spot attributable to Peter Nowak’s retirement.
Created in 1997, Nike Project-40 is a joint venture between MLS and U.S. Soccer aimed at providing America’s top young soccer players with the opportunity to play and train in a professional environment on a daily basis. Players signed to Nike Project-40 contracts receive an educational stipend in addition to their salary and a developmental spot on the roster of their MLS club.
Season tickets for the 2004 Revolution season are available now by calling 1-877-GET-REVS.

Clint Dempsey

Midfielder
Born: 3/9/83 
6-1, 170 lbs.
Furman
Hometown: Nacogdoches, TX

- 20 years old
- One of the leading scorers on the Furman University team with seven goals and five assists in 17 games
- A second team NSCAA All-America selection in 2002
- Currently a member of the U.S. Under-20 National Team