Clint Dempsey's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Clint Dempsey. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

Clint Dempsey is a retired American professional soccer player celebrated as one of the greatest American players ever. He played as a forward and midfielder, notably for Fulham, Tottenham Hotspur, New England Revolution, and Seattle Sounders FC. He achieved significant success in Europe and is tied with Landon Donovan for the most international goals scored by an American player, with 57 goals. He currently works as a sports analyst on CBS Sports' Soccer program.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2001: All-Southern Conference First Team Honors

In 2001, Clint Dempsey was named to the All-Southern Conference first team.

2002: Second Team NSCAA All-American

In 2002, Clint Dempsey was named second team NSCAA All-American while at Furman.

2003: NSCAA All-South Region Honors

In 2003, Clint Dempsey earned NSCAA All-South Region honors.

2004: MLS Rookie of the Year

In 2004, Clint Dempsey earned MLS Rookie of the Year Honors and was named an MLS All-Star.

2005: Continued Success with Revolution

In 2005, Clint Dempsey contributed ten goals and nine assists for the New England Revolution, was named MLS Player of the Week, won MLS Goal of the Week, and was named an MLS All-Star and a member of the MLS Best XI.

2006: Suspension and Playoff Injury

In 2006, Clint Dempsey received a two-week suspension for fighting with a teammate, missed playoff time due to injury, but won MLS Player of the Week and MLS Goal of the Week, and was named an MLS All-Star and to the MLS Best-XI.

2006: Honda Player of the Year

In 2006, Dempsey was named Honda Player of the Year, the highest individual honor in soccer in America.

2009: Most Valuable Player Among Americans in Europe

For his performance throughout 2009, Clint Dempsey was named Most Valuable Player among Americans in Europe.

2009: UEFA Europa League Runner-Up

In 2009, Clint Dempsey was part of the Fulham team that were runners-up to Atlético Madrid for the 2009–10 UEFA Europa League.

2010: Fulham Player of the Season

For the 2010-11 season, Clint Dempsey was voted Fulham player of the season by the Fulham fans.

2010: Wonder goal for Fulham against Juventus

In 2010, Clint Dempsey scored a "wonder goal" for Fulham in the Europa League against Juventus. The goal, an audacious chip from the edge of the penalty box, highlighted his creative and instinctual playing style.

2010: Fastest goal in U.S. qualifying history

In 2010, Dempsey recorded the fastest goal in U.S. World Cup qualifying history, scoring 53 seconds into an 8-0 defeat of Barbados.

April 27, 2011: Breaks Fulham's Premier League Goalscoring Record

On April 27, 2011, Clint Dempsey broke Fulham's Premier League goalscoring record by netting twice in a 3–0 victory over Bolton, scoring a total of 33 goals for the team in the Premier League.

December 5, 2011: Most Prolific U.S. Goalscorer in the Premier League

On December 5, 2011, Clint Dempsey became the most prolific U.S. goalscorer in the Premier League, passing Brian McBride, after scoring against Liverpool.

2011: Fulham Player of the Season Award Again

In 2011, Clint Dempsey was awarded Fulham Player of the Season for 2011–12, for the second consecutive year, and was the club's top scorer for both seasons.

January 21, 2012: First Premier League Hat-Trick

On January 21, 2012, Clint Dempsey scored his first Premier League hat-trick against Newcastle in a 5–2 win for Fulham.

October 16, 2012: Tied for third-most goals scored for United States

On October 16, 2012, Dempsey scored his 29th and 30th international goals against Guatemala, tying him with Brian McBride for third-most goals scored for the United States national team.

2012: First American Hat-Trick in Premier League

In 2012, Clint Dempsey became the first American player to score a hat-trick in the Premier League.

June 2, 2013: Surpassed Eric Wynalda as second all-time top-goalscorer

On June 2, 2013, Dempsey scored two goals against Germany in a 4-3 win, surpassing Eric Wynalda as second all-time top-goalscorer for the United States with his 34th and 35th goals.

September 6, 2013: Reached 100 caps

On September 6, 2013, Dempsey became the 14th American to reach 100 caps, scoring a penalty in a 3-1 defeat to Costa Rica in a qualifier.

2014: Wins Supporters' Shield with Seattle Sounders

In 2014, Clint Dempsey led the Seattle Sounders to win the Supporters' Shield.

2014: Fastest goal in American World Cup history

In 2014, Dempsey was named captain of the United States squad for the FIFA World Cup. On June 16, he scored against Ghana 29 seconds into the match, the fastest goal in American World Cup history.

March 24, 2017: Hat trick against Honduras

On March 24, 2017, Clint Dempsey scored a hat trick in the U.S.'s 6–0 victory over Honduras at Avaya Stadium, with two goals assisted by Christian Pulisic. One of the goals was from a free kick.

June 3, 2017: Named to CONCACAF Gold Cup preliminary roster

On June 3, 2017, Clint Dempsey was named to the 40-man preliminary roster for the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup by head coach Bruce Arena.

2017: MLS Comeback Player of the Year

In 2017, despite concerns about an irregular heartbeat, Dempsey tallied 12 goals in 29 regular season appearances and was named MLS Comeback Player of the Year.