At 31, Clint Dempsey has an international club résumé that is the envy of almost all of his out-field teammates.
The U.S. captain is one of the few players who, if he goes on a hot streak, can give his team a shot at the second round. Particularly with Jozy Altidore struggling and the likes of Graham Zusi and Alejandro Bedoya lacking World Cup experience, Dempsey can leverage lessons from Germany 2006 and South Africa 2010 to help the U.S. at Brazil 2014.
A versatile, right-footed midfielder, Dempsey played usually in the centre or on the right for Fulham, on the right or up front as second striker for Tottenham Hotspur, and on the left for the United States, with the ability to score from long distance. However, he has proven to be more of a threat the closer to goal he gets.
His tenacity in midfield, combined with his audacious close control dribbling skills, frequently results in opponents fouling him. Dempsey has gained a reputation for fierce play and his experience could be key for USA as they have been pooled in a tough group comprising Germany, Portugal and Ghana, who run away 2-1 winners in each of their last two World Cup clashes in 2006 and 2010.
