Clint Dempsey (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
Clint Dempsey says the “pressure” is on Team USA to win after coming up short in the CONCACAF Nations League Tournament.
Dempsey, who is arguably the best American soccer player ever and a Hall of Famer, says they need to have a “strong showing” after their disappointing finish in the CONCACAF Nations League tournament. Team USA not only failed to win the tournament—they were aiming for their fourth consecutive title—they lost the third-place game against Team Canada.
That’s in addition to not being able to advance past group play in Copa America in 2024.
“Losing in terms of not getting out of group play in Copa America, being the first host country to not be able to do that,” says Dempsey of Team USA in a one-on-one interview with RG. “Losing in the semifinal to Panama and losing in the third-place game against Canada. Now you have the Gold Cup, puts more pressure on that situation, depends on how that goes and then the World Cup. You’re never going to have more pressure on you than being the host country and trying to do something, never going to have a better opportunity as well.”
While Dempsey clearly outlines the pressure that is on head coach Mauricio Pochettino and Team USA after their shortcomings, he does mention that he believes in the national team.
“They need to have a strong showing, and hopefully they can do that,” Dempsey continues to say. “But you have to take it one game at a time. First and foremost, you have to get out of the group, which they weren’t able to do in Copa America.”
Legacy and the Future
Dempsey obviously made a name for himself as the star player of Team USA, an All-Star in MLS and a key player in the English Premier League, tying Landon Donovan (57 goals) for the most goals by an American player in international play.
When asked who is the best American soccer player ever, Dempsey says it’s not something that he often thinks about.
“It’s one of those situations where I don’t really think about it, I just went out there and played and made the most of my career, and I’m able to look back and have no regrets,” says Dempsey. “I know that I was a trailblazer, I did some things that other people didn’t do, and hopefully opened the doors to the people that came after me.”
Twenty-six-year-old and current Team USA star Christian Pulisic could one day join that conversation. Pulisic is considered the face of American soccer, already ranks fifth all-time in goal scoring, and is tied with Donovan for the most U.S. Player of the Year awards (four).
“In terms of Christian, I think he’s had a great career so far, and I think there’s a lot of great stuff to continue for him,” says Dempsey of Pulisic.
“I’m looking forward to watching him play, and watching this U.S. team play and do well, because I’m a fan of it. My kids, we sit at home and watch these games, and we want to be cheering them on for them doing well. I’m looking forward to the Gold Cup this summer.”
It’s clear that the popularity of soccer continues to grow in America, a country that’s not necessarily known for its admiration of the sport. America will host the World Cup in 2026 and fandom continues to increase, with soccer fans of five years or fewer up 57%, compared to 2023. The 42-year-old Dempsey says the state of soccer is in a much better place than it was two decades ago when he first became a pro in 2004.
“For sure, 100%,” says Dempsey on if soccer is in a better place now in America. “In terms of the amount of teams that are in the MLS, the amount of money that you can make now playing domestically and also around the world. The game is easier for more eyes to watch with social media, with the way things work in today’s world. When I was growing up, it was difficult for me to watch games. I had dial-up internet where I lived in Texas, so I couldn’t really watch a lot of stuff in terms of players and games to model my game after. Now, everything is at somebody’s fingertips in terms of what they want to watch and how to get better.”
Messi Mania and MLS Growth
Dempsey also makes sure to mention the expansion of MLS, which has expanded rapidly and added an average of one new team per year since 2005. In 2025, MLS added its 30th team, San Diego FC.
“The game is in a better place,” says Dempsey. “There’s more money in it, there’s more brands behind it, and I think there’s more passion for it, especially here in the United States. You can see that with more soccer-specific stadiums, and how much ownership is having to pay to get an MLS franchise.”
It doesn’t hurt that the best player of this generation, Lionel Messi, plays in the United States for MLS club Inter Miami CF. The arrival of Messi in 2023 has also played a role in the surging popularity of the sport.
“It’s been huge, just in terms of the eyes that he’s got on the sport,” says Dempsey of Messi’s impact.
“When you think about when things really make an impact in the U.S., it’s only every four years during the World Cup, and he’s someone that’s able to move the needle. You don’t have to wait every four years to see such an impact that’s being made. He’s the talent that’s able to do that. I think it’s great for the game.”
Dempsey further details Messi’s impact on growing the popularity of soccer in America.
“Impacts how stadiums fill, brings more eyes on it, and also gives other people the opportunity to do bigger things by trying to leave MLS and go to Europe, to go to some of these bigger leagues in the world,” says Dempsey of Messi. “When you have the opportunity to play against the likes of Messi, you have that platform to take your game to the next level and test yourself against one of the best ever. It’s been great and I’m happy that he’s here.”
DJ Siddiqi
