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One chance, one goal. Clint Dempsey’s life has been about seizing chances.
Less than a minute into their match on Monday, the United States had a 1-0 lead thanks to an adventurous run, matched by a <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2014/06/16/watch-clint-dempseys-goal-for-usa-against-ghana-gif/">masterful Dempsey finish</a>. His first opportunity near goal was taken head down, full speed ahead. Nothing was going to stop him. Not an oncoming defender and not a helpless goalkeeper. Nor will a broken nose from playing against Portugal.
The same could be said about his path to becoming “Captain America.”
Unlike some of his American teammates who grew up in suburban surroundings, playing at glitzy soccer clubs, Dempsey had a rocky path.
He grew up in a trailer park with two sisters and a brother in Nacogdoches, Texas, and was playing the wrong kind of football. Outgrowing the talent pool in his recreational league, his brother Ryan went to try out for the Dallas Texans, an elite youth soccer club. Ryan’s age group had already selected their team but Clint was noticed by Zeph Badii.
“I said ‘Listen, you need to make sure this boy is playing this level,’” Badii said. “I saw the talent in him and thought, ‘We just have to keep this kid going.’”
It was 170 miles, roughly a three hour drive, from Dempsey’s home to training sessions with his new team. But soon financial difficulties forced Dempsey’s family into a tough decision.
Eldest sister Jennifer was a rising tennis star. Seeing as Clint was still young, his parents opted to support Jennifer financially with her tennis career, leaving 12-year-old Clint angry and upset, and his passion for the sport faded.
Sadly, in November, 1995, his 16-year-old sister Jennifer suffered a brain aneurysm and died. Reinvigorated yet devastated, Clint found new purpose in his pursuit of a soccer career that has led him to MLS, Europe and the captain’s armband in this World Cup.
Dempsey is the X factor in the United States formula of attack. His goal against Ghana sums up what he brings to the pitch — the flair with his cheeky step over before his first touch, the fearless nature with which he ran at his defender, the deadly “no doubt about it” finish, the “don’t mess with Texas” demeanor he carries. No other player on his team brings that.
Then he was lost for the remainder of the match.
With <a href="worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2014/06/16/jozy-altidore-stretchered-off-with-hamstring-injury-and-replaced-with-aron-johannsson-gif/">Jozy Altidore leaving the match injured</a>, the teams ability to hold up play disappeared, a role Dempsey either can’t or doesn’t know how play.
This poses the question for the match against Portugal: what do you do with Dempsey?
He has an unsuccessful history playing lone striker and no one on the US bench can play with their back to goal like Altidore can. Aron Jóhannsson’s inclusion didn’t change things much but that could have been due to Ghana not giving the Americans many chances to link the strikers and midfield.
The team will look to USMNT striker (aka&nbsp;<a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2014/06/18/listen-to-usmnt-star-clint-dempseys-new-rap-single-audio/">rap singer Deuce</a>) to replicate his magic against Portugal to put them through to the second round. It’s too bad they can’t just bank on <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2014/06/18/listen-to-usmnt-star-clint-dempseys-new-rap-single-audio/">his mad flow</a>.
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Clint Dempsey, USA World Cup Player Profile: From Humble Beginnings to the World's Stage - World Soccer Talk

Clint Dempsey, USA World Cup Player Profile: From Humble Beginnings to the World's Stage

<figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-105245" title="jozy-altidore" src="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/jozy-altidore.png" alt="" width="598" height="331" srcset="https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/06/17053927/jozy-altidore.png 598w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/06/17053927/jozy-altidore-150x83.png 150w, https://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2014/06/17053927/jozy-altidore-300x166.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 598px) 100vw, 598px"></figure>
The USMNT will face <a title="Portugal in Manaus" href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2014/06/17/with-jozy-altidore-injured-usa-has-3-tactical-options-to-consider-for-game-against-portugal/">Portugal in Manaus</a> without striker Jozy Altidore who suffered a hamstring injury during USA’s 2-1 victory over Ghana last Monday. Altidore was sprinting for a ball and pulled up clutching the back of his thigh. He was carried off the pitch looking to be in immense pain and underwent MRI scans at the team’s base in Sao Paulo. Altidore previously suffered a hamstring injury in 2011 and missed the Gold Cup finals.
While the severity of his injury has yet to be released the United States will likely have to rely on Aron Johansonn, who replaced Altidore in the 21st minute, or Chris Wondolowski.
Clint Dempsey, who scored the quickest goal in USMNT World Cup history on Monday, suffered a broken nose when he collided with Ghana’s John Boye while chasing a high ball. Dempsey’s status against Portugal is unaffected and is expected to start with no problems. ESPN’s <a title="Jeremy Schaap" href="https://twitter.com/JeremySchaap/statuses/479628340740231168">Jeremy Schaap</a> reported that Dempsey is unlikely to wear a mask when facing Portugal, probably not wanting to feel uncomfortable in the intense heat of Manaus.
Along with the injuries at the front of the team, defender Matt Besler was seen clutching his hamstring and left the Ghana match after halftime. Besler spoke in a press conference after the game ended and complained of cramps but said removal was precautionary and is expected to be match-fit for the Portugal game.
Alejandro Bedoya left the match in the 77th minute complaining of a hip pointer and a cramp in his hamstring. Bedoya was replaced by <a title="Graham Zusi" href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2014/06/18/why-klinsmann-should-consider-mix-diskerud-or-graham-zusi-to-help-us-defeat-portugal/">Graham Zusi</a> whose corner kick led to John Brooks’ winning goal. Bedoya is also expected to play against Portugal and should be fully healthy.
<a title="Conditions for the game" href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2014/06/18/how-hot-is-it-in-brazil-right-now-2014-world-cup-infographic/">Conditions for the game</a> in Manaus will be no better than what the USMNT faced in Natal with temperatures around 75 degrees Fahrenheit and 88% humidity. Both teams are likely to slow down as the match goes on as we saw in the England-Italy game at the same venue, making the players on the bench likely to be difference-makers in the game as was seen on Monday against Ghana.

Jozy Altidore to Miss USMNT Game Against Portugal

Jozy Altidore to Miss USMNT Game Against Portugal - World Soccer Talk

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Clint Dempsey, USA World Cup Player Profile: From Humble Beginnings to the World's Stage

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Jozy Altidore to Miss USMNT Game Against Portugal