LOS ANGELES – National Soccer Hall of Fame voters left little doubt about Clint Dempsey’s candidacy, electing the former New England Revolution and U.S. Men’s National Team forward in his first year of eligibility as he appeared on 97.9 percent of ballots. CBS Sports host Kate Abdo broke the news to Dempsey on Sunday’s broadcast of the USMNT game against Canada, alongside another former Revolution player and longtime friend Charlie Davies.
Dempsey was always a no doubt Hall of Famer, building a legendary career that included seven years in the English Premier League with Fulham (189 appearances) and Tottenham (29 appearances), six seasons with Seattle Sounders FC (115 appearances), and a 14-year run with the USMNT that included 57 goals in 141 appearances and a trio of FIFA World Cups. With goals in the 2006, 2010, and 2014 editions of the tournament, “Deuce” became the first American to score in three straight World Cups.
But it all started in New England, as Dempsey was the eighth overall pick in the 2004 MLS SuperDraft and went on to play his first three professional seasons with the Revolution, winning MLS Rookie of the Year honors and eventually scoring 25 goals in 71 appearances for the Revs. Dempsey’s three years in New England included three straight appearances in the Eastern Conference Championship, and two trips to the MLS Cup final.
Current Revolution sporting director and head coach Bruce Arena first brought Dempsey into the USMNT picture in late 2004, coaching him through the 2006 World Cup in Germany, where Dempsey scored the USMNT’s lone goal in a 2-1 loss to Ghana.
“He’s obviously been a great goal scorer in his career,” Arena said from the Revolution’s preseason camp in Los Angeles. “The time I’ve had with him in the national team, he’s a very good player. I remember what a great goal he scored in the 2006 World Cup against Ghana. He scored some big goals in 2017, as well, for the US team.
“In the short time with the Revs, he had an impressive showing that gave him the opportunity to go on to Europe, and as we know, he had a successful career there. On behalf of the Revolution, we’re really proud that Clint will be inducted into the Hall of Fame. He’s been a very good player, not only abroad, but for MLS and the national team, as well.”
Dempsey will be formally inducted into the Hall of Fame on May 21 at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, alongside Marco Etcheverry (D.C. United), Shannon Boxx (USWNT), Hope Solo (USWNT), Linda Hamilton (USWNT), Christie Pearce Rampone (USWNT), and Esfandiar Baharmast (referee).
