Clint Dempsey believes that strong performances during next year’s friendly matches will encourage more American fans to attend the World Cup. U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Mauricio Pochettino, alongside his players, observed that recent matches had the majority of cheers directed toward Guatemala in St. Louis and Mexico in Houston.
“We’ve seen fans heavily supporting opposing teams in crucial games like the semifinals and finals. There are more supporters for the rival teams. The national team players are putting in the effort on the field that fans want to see,” Dempsey shared in an Associated Press interview. “This drives people to rally behind the team, especially when they demonstrate both grit and skill.”
The Americans will play ten friendly matches during upcoming FIFA International dates, opening the World Cup twice across September to June, with a notable match planned in Inglewood, California on June 12.
"I want the team to display an exciting style of play, regardless of whether it’s defensively solid or focused on creating scoring opportunities," Dempsey expressed. “I’m keen to see the resilience and determination similar to what we witnessed during the Gold Cup.”
Tied with Landon Donovan for the all-time record of 57 international goals, Dempsey reflects on his experiences: he played for the U.S. squad eliminated in the 2006 World Cup group stages and reached the Round of 16 in both 2010 and 2014, missing out on the 2018 tournament. He noted that the U.S. team’s resurgence in 2022—where they reached the Round of 16 again—brings new energy, although it has come with the sacrifice of veteran experience. DeAndre Yedlin remains the only player from 2014’s squad.
After triumphing in the CONCACAF Nations League in 2021, 2023, and 2024, the U.S. was eliminated in the group stage of the 2024 Copa America. This led to the U.S. Soccer Federation replacing Greg Berhalter with Pochettino, following losses in the League semifinals and Gold Cup finals this year.
“There wasn’t a significant presence of older players with experience,” Dempsey noted. “Sometimes, a shake-up is needed, but I can’t speculate on the reasons for the struggles.”
Dempsey insisted that players should compete for their starting positions through their training efforts, not just rely on their previous status. He and his wife Bethany are busy raising six children, with their son Jackson playing for the academy in Charlotte. Though Dempsey didn’t foresee remaining in football as a broadcaster, he finds satisfaction in his new role.
At the World Cup, the U.S. will be seeded as one of the three co-hosts, which allows them to avoid facing top 10 teams in the group and potentially sidestep strong competitors in the knockout rounds, should they secure first place.
“You can see the potential numbers—this is a chance to do something special, and we must seize it. All the best players need to come together and perform consistently,” Dempsey summarized.
Fan Take: This news is significant for soccer enthusiasts because it highlights the U.S. Men’s National Team’s potential to draw crowds and inspire local support for the World Cup. As American fans rally behind a promising and competitive squad, it could signify a turning point in soccer’s popularity in the U.S., galvanizing more fans to engage with the sport.
