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Commentary: Clint Dempsey is US soccer's true No. 10, not Landon Donovan

brennan.164@osu.edu

Published: Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Updated: Saturday, June 16, 2012 00:06

Soccer

Courtesy of MCT

US soccer midfielder Clint Dempsey heads to goal during a May 29, 2010, game against Turkey. The US won, 2-1.

When looking for the star of a soccer team during a game or practice, look no further than the player wearing the No. 10 shirt.

The same can be said of the U.S. men's national soccer team, which saw midfielder Clint Dempsey — the best player on the squad — wearing the No. 10 shirt during a friendly match against Italy on Wednesday

The Americans' usual No. 10, midfielder Landon Donovan, was absent from the U.S's international friendly match against Italy due to illness, according to multiple reports.

Fortunately for the Yanks, Dempsey donned the No. 10 shirt, and he didn't disappoint.

You wouldn't expect Dempsey to disappoint, though — after all, he, and not Donovan, is clearly the go-to player for the U.S.

You don't walk into the locker room of most national, professional or collegiate soccer teams and demand the No. 10 shirt. Rather, you're given permission to borrow it, sometimes on a game-by-game basis. And unlike the NFL, the number can't be from another player simply because they covet it enough. In soccer, you earn the No. 10 through hard work and artful, on-field play, as well as finishing on goal.

Famed No. 10's throughout the history of soccer include Brazil's Pele, Argentina's Diego Maradona and Lionel Messi and France's Zinedine Zidane.

Dempsey did the number justice on Wednesday when he hit the eventual game-winning goal against Italy in the 55th minute at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris in Genoa, Italy, to help lift the U.S. to its first-ever win against the Italians. The goal was the 25th Dempsey has scored for his country since debuting against Jamaica in November 2004.

In his own right, Donovan is deserving of wearing No. 10 for America, but he isn't the best American on the field during national team games anymore — Dempsey has passed him.

Donovan plays the majority of his games with Major League Soccer's Los Angeles Galaxy, save for an occasional loan stint at English Premier League side Everton F.C. Donovan went on loan to the English club in January 2010 and went again at the start of this year. Both times, Donovan returned to America in time to begin the domestic season with the Galaxy.

On the other hand, Dempsey has graduated from MLS and is a fixture in England with fellow Premier League club Fulham F.C. Dempsey played in every minute of every Premier League game for Fulham in 2011. He is also tied for eighth-best in Premier League goal-scoring with 10 goals so far in 2011-12.

Earlier in the current season, Dempsey became the first American to score a hat trick in the Premier League when he dumped three goals to help sink Newcastle United on Jan. 21. Fulham won the match, 5-2.

During Fulham's 2009-2010 campaign, Dempsey stood on the medal stand of a major European club competition when he helped guide his club to the Europa League final against Atletico Madrid on May 12, 2010.

Fulham lost the game to Atletico Madrid in extra time, 2-1, but that's still more than Donovan has accomplished in Europe.

Donovan helped lead Everton to some impressive wins during his two loan stints, but never to a piece of silverware or a medal for the club.

Donovan is one of the great Americans to ever lace his boots up for the country — he's scored big goals, won trophies and will always be remembered for the dramatic stoppage-time goal he scored against Algeria in the 2010 FIFA World Cup to help America win its group. In the process, Donovan has elevated the world's awareness of American soccer and made the country relevant on international stages — this is his greatest contribution.

The game hasn't necessarily passed Donovan by, but Dempsey has. You can expect Donovan to retain the No. 10 shirt for the U.S. Considering his accomplishments, he's probably earned the right to wear it until he retires from international competition. With or without the No. 10 shirt, Dempsey is the man for America, and he showed the world why again on Wednesday.  

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10 comments

USA Fan
Tue Sep 11 2012 00:27
The title of this article doesn't make sense. Yes, Clint Dempsey is a better goal scorer than Landon Donovan, yes he has had more success than Landon Donovan in Europe, and yes he was the reason USA beat Italy. But to say he is worthy of wearing the no. 10 shirt over Landon Donovan. Sorry, check your facts son. The no. 10 shirt is not reserved for the best goal scorer on a soccer team, nor for the one who's had the most success in the EPL. It's reserved for the one who understands the fundamentals of the beautiful game the most on his respective team. Dempsey is a goal poacher, and an exceptionally talented one at that. Landon Donovan is a playmaker. Better passing, creative plays, assists, AND, yes he can score goals as well. He has better technical skills. How often do you see Dempsey do anything besides score goals? He does not cross, he rarely distributes, and he rarely dispossesses either. This is why Donovan wears no. 10 and Dempsey wears no. 8 (although no. 9 might be more appropriate for him). Honestly, why do people compare the two? They're only similar in the sense that they're both midfielders, but both have completely different styles of play, and many times both have combined and been responsible for the success of USA. Quit sparking this argument, it should have been buried years ago.
Anonymous
Mon Mar 5 2012 18:04
This is no contest. Maybe two years ago it was, but have you watched the EPL lately? Dempsey is one of the best players in the Primer League. He carries his club.

This is not an age issue either. No other American has ever, EVER carried a club in a top flight league before. Period. End of story.

Anonymous
Sun Mar 4 2012 09:58
How tragic. Seven years from now Landon Donovan will still be with LA Galaxy and doing the occassional and brief loan stints to Everton when its convenient for him or when prodded enough by Klinsmann. Its very unfortunate. The insiders are right. Donovan has an attitude and lacks the heart and drive to be truely great. He will never wear the captain's armband under Klinsmann.
Anonymous
Sat Mar 3 2012 22:06
To the author of Friday, March 2nd, post, which starts, "I think the author is somewhat politely saying what insiders know.." I couldn't agree with you more. As a fan of US Soccer who has followed Donovan's career, I think you hit the nail on the head - the guy is a total flake. Its a real shame.
Anonymous
Sat Mar 3 2012 18:00
What happened when Everton played Fulham?

On that day Donovan was the better player. Dempsey may be the best player on the national team right now, but Donovan hasn't gone anywhere yet, either would make a good Captain.

Anonymous
Fri Mar 2 2012 01:28
I think the author is somewhat politely saying what insiders know - Donovan has given us all some moments of joy but he lacks courage and determination and consistency. He has said in interviews that he likes his life to be a very particular way and when it isn't he isn't happy. When the going gets tough he shrinks. And part of the problem is that he also has an attitude. He could be truly great but has chosen not to be. For some of us it is disappointing even though we appreciate his moments of great play. Dempsey is eager and works very hard to improve. He is reliable and a true team player. We need them both but it is OK to point out that Donovan is flawed and is not likely to put in any effort to change it.
Anonymous
Thu Mar 1 2012 18:41
Dempsey had a great game, no doubt. I can't understand all this talk about who is the best US Player. We need 4 to 6 more players that can play at that caliber before the US has a world level soccer program. Stop trying to write about which criteria makes the best player [and possibly cause division in our young program]. Lets find where the next stars are going to come from to complement the program.

It was not too long ago that I saw Dempsey miss a goal in front of the marker and play mediocre soccer and I have also noticed that there have been games where Donovan does not seem to be as quick or in control as in the past. Everyone has a great day and everyone has a bad day. I am glad we now have two goto guys. I am NOT ready to give up on Donovan.

Anonymous
Thu Mar 1 2012 14:21
I agree with the author's basic premise, which has often been expressed by the Eric Wynalda, that Dempsey has gone out and earned his stripes by graduating from MLS and playing in a better league. Donovan, on the other hand, has made a living out of putting himself in positions where he can't lose, e.g., signing a sweetheart deal with LA Galaxy and then going on loan to Everton before the 2010 World Cup. Again, he goes on a brief loan to the Toffies, probably due in large part to Klinsmann's pushing and prodding. Yet, always, he returns to MLS, content with being the big fish in a little pond. As a fan of U.S. soccer, it is a huge disappointment when our best player decides to retreat to the comforts of home, instead of going out to the better leagues and clubs to prove himself on the world stage. This is an all too familiar pattern for Landon. Its unfortunate for him and its unfortunatel for U.S. Soccer.
Anonymous
Thu Mar 1 2012 13:35
Wow , its funny how fast people jump ship. "Dempsey is the man for America" ... how funny. I love both Dempsey and Donovan and think both of them are big time ballers. You cant just go and throw Donovan under the bus though, and say he is number one or number two. Whats wack is how how you write this up the day after Demp scores against Italy. It was a nice goal and a huge win for the US , but now he is the man for America ? Im guessing you think Jeremy Lin must be the best player in the NBA now too. Its not even the about if you are right are wrong, but how you just decided he was now the front runner for America, and didnt really anything up for debate. You didnt completely throw Dono under the bus, you talked him up and gave him props, and then was like, BUT.... Dempsey is captain america now. And no, i dont agree with your closing arguement at all , that Demp has passed Donovan. Put it this way, if you could only pick one player to have on my team, i would pick Donovan. He is a little more explosive and dangerous. If one of these guys had me on a one-on-one 30 yards out, I would much rather it be Dempsey than Donovan coming at me.
dabes2
Thu Mar 1 2012 13:20
If you are asserting that Dempsey is clearly the go to player for the US national team, why not compare their national team performances? Seems sort of like the obvious criteria. Plenty of club stars have had limited impact on their national teams. It's a good conversation to start with a much less clear cut answer. For me, the US national team conversation needs to include Donovan, Dempsey, Bradley, Bocanegra and Howard. I wouldn't knock Donovan off his perch so fast. He's got the best long-term track record with the USA by a mile and he's still amazingly productive.




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