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Remembering Clint Dempsey’s career: #ThankYouDeuce

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Fans remember Clint Dempsey for his colorful style of play and the big goals he scored.

Needless to say, the announcement of his retirement Wednesday caused many on social media to pay tribute to Dempsey by calling to mind some of their fondest memories and making #ThankYouDeuce trend on Twitter.

Dempsey represented the New England Revolution, Fulham, Tottenham, Seattle Sounders FC and the United States national team. That is plenty of source material, so we ask : What are you favorite Deuce moments?

 

“2009 Confederations Cup Semifinal. Clint Dempsey scored a lot of impressive goals, this wasn’t one of them but it is by far one of my favorite: Leading No. 1 ranked Spain on a 30-game plus unbeaten streak, Deuce catches noted mediocre defender Sergio Ramos napping with the ball on the 6-yard box and dispossessed him and scored in the same motion. Sure the U.S. blew the final, but that win over Spain was one of the first times I believed the USMNT will go all the way in my lifetime.” – Jake Catanese, The Bent Musket

https://twitter.com/JustinSaysThis/status/1034851903237251073

 

“With Deuce, it was always like, if a street fight broke out, he’s one of the ones you want on your side. I always remember him being like Jekyll and Hyde. He’s one of the greatest husbands I’ve ever met, one of the greatest fathers I’ve ever met, and he’s soft and he’s gentle. But when that switch turned on, look out, ‘cause he’s tough as nails.”  – Tim Howard during a B/R Live studio show 

“I have two memories. One was his Cuauhtemiña in the 2005 home opener, a 3-0 win over the Columbus Crew at Gillette Stadium. The other was him playing two games with a broken jaw as a rookie in 2004.” – Frank Dell’Apa, The Boston Globe

“For me, the 2014 World Cup goal versus Ghana will always stand out as one of Dempsey’s best. I remember the anxiety about being placed in the ‘Group of Death’ down in Brazil, and that early strike made a whole nation believe that even these Americans, coached by Jürgen Klinsmann, could so something special.” – Jonathan Sigal, MLSsoccer.com

Taylor Twellman played with Dempsey in New England from 2004 to 2006. They were also teammates for a short time on the U.S. national team. Twellman assisted Dempsey for the lone goal of a 1-0 victory over Guatemala in the first game of the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup, which turned out to be then-coach Bob Bradley’s first win in a competition.

“People look at his flicks and tricks and, ya know, the Nike commercials he does and all that stuff, but that’s not what we’re talking about. We’re talking about his heart and his character and all the other stuff that made him great. What people saw on TV and in the commercials, his tricks and flicks, that was cool he had that ability, but the heart and character and fight that he has, look man …” – Carlos Bocanegra, B/R Live 

Dempsey played for Fulham from 2006 to 2012.

“My top three Dempsey memories are: Him hitting a ‘home run’ at RFK Stadium after scoring the game-winning goal in a 4-3 victory over D.C. United in 2005; his goal against Portugal in the 2014 World Cup; and his Europa League goal for Fulham against Juventus is tied with the goal he scored against Italy in the Americans’ lone win against the Azzurri. Whoops, I gave four.” – Julian Cardillo, ProSoccerUSA

Tottenham was Dempsey’s last stop in the English Premier League. He was a key figure in the 2012/13 season.

“Off the field, Clint Dempsey was an excellent teammate, he was that father — you could really connect to him. He didn’t want any of that limelight. And it’s the most appropriate way he’s going out with an Instagram post that’s just like, ‘Peace. I’m outta here.’ Because Clint Dempsey reality is he’s probably going to disappear now into the wilderness, go fishing with his family. … Once all the people are talking about how great of a career he had, hopefully that settles in and he has time to reflect on how great he really is.” – Stuart Holden, B/R Live

The long hair got cut at the end of the 2004 season.

“Perhaps a weird choice, but the memory that has always most stuck in my mind was his goal against Ghana in the 2006 World Cup that really announced his presence on the world stage. It was a beautiful volley that, for a few fleeting seconds, gave the U.S. hope of advancing — only for it to be crushed by the penalty conceded moments later — and was really the first big moment to make the world take note that Dempsey was something special. Honorable mention to the fantastic game-winning goal he scored for Fulham in the 2009-10 Europa League knockout rounds against Juventus. That was probably the best goal an American has scored in such an important match.” – Sean Donahue, New England Soccer Today

https://twitter.com/BrianSciaretta/status/1034849890403344384

J.P. Dellacamera, a local New Englander who graduated from Waltham High School near Boston, called Dempsey’s first professional goal.

“My favorite Clint Dempsey memory has to be his goal against Ghana in 2014. The bar where I was watching absolutely exploded, and you knew then that the U.S. was destined to escape the group of death.” -Dan Rozel, Gotham Sports Network