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USA Soccer and Clint Dempsey are in a Mutually Beneficial Relationship Clint Dempsey has had a rough go of things in Europe. He shed some light on this in a recent interview on ESPN.com: I haven't felt that connection [in Europe] with a manager that when you're going into battle, I'm a guy they look to try to make things happen. It's more enjoyable when you have a manager that believes in you. You feel loved. MUST READ: Top 20 Goals of the 2010-11 EPL Season
He gets to put all of that behind him—for a few weeks at least—as he helps his USA teammates try to capture the 2011 Gold Cup. And that is something he is going to enjoy. Dempsey from the above linked ESPN article: I feel like I can breathe. ...They (Stevie Nicoli and Bob Bradley) believe in me, and they know I'll run through a brick wall for them, and I do miss that. I haven't felt that way in Europe; I haven't felt that connection with a manager that when the chips are down and you're going into battle that I'm a guy they look to try to make things happen. It's more enjoyable when you have a manager that believes in you. You feel loved.
And so far the process has been not only beneficial for Dempsey, but for team USA. Dempsey played fantastic in the USA's opening 2-0 victory against Canada. He scored the second goal, and just before had a spectacular attempt blocked. That is when Dempsey almost scored an incredible goal. Dempsey was making a run at the far post when a deflection put a cross behind Dempsey, but it didn't put him off. He jumped for a chest high backheel volley. The shot was on target, but a nice block turned it away. If Dempsey continues to play like that he is likely going to feel a lot more love from those around him, and have a Gold Cup Championship to go with it. Check back for more on Soccer as it comes, and check out Bleacher Report’s Soccer Page to get your fill of soccer. —Richard Langford
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