Clint Dempsey is no stranger to scoring important goals. In Tuesday evening's pivotal World Cup Qualifying match versus Guatemala, Dempsey's goal opened the floodgates for the USMNT, which went on to win 4-0 and get back on track in the group stage of qualifying.
The Seattle Sounders forward has had some beauties for the Red, White and Blue since joining the Rave Green and in honor of his most recent goal, we're counting down his top five since coming to the Emerald City in 2013.
#5: USA 2, Honduras 1 | 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup | 7/7/15
The 2015 Gold Cup opened with considerable pressure on the Yanks to do well in their home country. In the team's opening match, the USMNT answered the call on the back of Dempsey, who scored both goals in the match.
In the 64th minute, Dempsey rose up above the Honduran back line to meet a Michael Bradley free kick and tipped it into the side netting for the 2-0 lead. It was the decisive goal of the match and allowed the US to survive a Honduran goal five minutes later. The US came away with the victory and began the tournament on right foot.
#4 USA 2, Panama 0 | International Friendly | 2/8/15
Though not the highest of stakes in an international friendly, there is no denying the skill it took for Dempsey to juke and then leap over the goalkeeper while still maintaining possession and the strength to fight off a Panamanian defender while he finished with the outside of his right foot.
#3 USA 1, Panama 1 | 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup | 7/25/15
In their last match of the 2015 Gold Cup, the USMNT found themselves in the third-place match against a formidable Panama side and down by a goal. In the 70th minute, Dempsey changed all that when he lobbed in a sliding finish off a pass from former Sounders teammate DeAndre Yedlin.
Dempsey picked up Golden Boot honors at the 2015 Gold Cup and he tied for second most all-time in the tournament’s history with 12.
#2 USA 2, Portugal 2 | 2014 FIFA World Cup | 6/22/14
The USMNT came into the 2014 World Cup facing a daunting task. Having been placed into the group of death with Germany, Portugal and Ghana, even most Americans didn’t believe the US could advance.
Dempsey had other ideas. In the 81st minute against a Portugal side that many believed were contenders for the title, Dempsey stomached in a Graham Zusi cross to take the lead. It was a goal that ultimately led to the USA’s advance out of the group of death and into the Round of 16.
#1 USA 2, Ghana 1 | 2014 FIFA World Cup | 6/16/14
Ghana…the bane of American World Cup existence. Having knocked out the US in two consecutive World Cups, Dempsey and company were determined not to let it happen again. With this goal, scored within the first 35 seconds of their first match, the US made their intentions for the tournament very clear.
It was the fastest goal in American World Cup history and made Dempsey the first American to score in three different World Cups. For many, it was a moment of gleaming hope they’ll never forget. Feast your eyes on the video below, with Dempsey's goal at the 5:19 mark.
