I don't really feel bad for Wigan. Martinez needs to get out of there, and that rugby town can get replaced by a club with real support like West Ham.
Team America Thursday 22nd March 2012 While our Premier League rivals are only now just discovering the delights of America’s top league, it’s fair to say that we’ve been unearthing its hidden treasures for 13 years. By signing unknowns, taking risks, and developing rough diamonds, few have enjoyed more success from the American market. From the likes of Marcus Hahnemann, Eddie Lewis, Carlos Bocanegra, Kasey Keller and Brian McBride to, of course, Clint Dempsey, we have sat back and reveled in the superb skills on show as they have helped Fulham win promotion, maintain a place in the Premier League for 11 consecutive seasons, and reach the UEFA Europa League Final. And, in turn, we have played a significant role in raising the profile of US soccer, as our former Captain McBride told the Club’s official magazine Fultime: “Fulham have been major players in increasing awareness of what American soccer players have to offer,” he said. “When a player moves overseas it creates a big buzz. Look at the kids in America coming through that have ambitions of getting a professional contract and a life as a soccer player. They look at this and think, 'wait a second, it’s even possible to go and play overseas and experience other cultures'.” Ambitious young Americans need look no further than our own Clint Dempsey – a player who has come from humble beginnings and has gone on to become one of US soccer’s most successful exports. Last season he became Fulham’s highest scoring Premier League player with his brace against Bolton Wanderers, and his winning goal against Liverpool in December saw him overtake McBride as the most prolific US international to play in the Premier League. He has since achieved even more; his trio of superb strikes against Charlton Athletic and Newcastle United saw him become the first American to score a hat-trick in both the FA Cup and the Premier League. This term Clint, it seems, has been on a mission to score as many goals and collect as many accolades as he can. The most productive American in Premier League history, he now has 18 goals in all competitions. Dempsey, the last American standing at Craven Cottage, has already surpassed the 50-goal mark in his five years at Fulham, and his development has delighted his former team-mate McBride. “I’m really pleased for him, because he has shown that he will work as hard as he can to improve, not only himself, but the team too,” he added. “There have been times when a new Manager has come in and he’s had to prove himself all over again, and that’s a sign of a player who is not only high quality, but who is also dedicated. “You can really see how far along his game has come in terms of depth, understanding, and the things he can do. “He’s a good friend of mine and I know how hard he has fought to achieve what he has, so he deserves all the credit that comes his way. It shows his character and class, as not just a sportsman, but a person too.” To read more about our American connections, as well as much more including: Martin Jol’s desire to instil a new football culture at the Club, new boy Pavel Pogrebnyak answering questions from fans, plus interviews with Mark Schwarzer, Simon Davies and chart-topping Fulham fan Felix White from The Maccabees, plus lots, lots more besides, be sure to pick up your copy of Issue 37 of Fultime magazine which is free to Season Ticket Holders and Members, or available from the Club store now.
I don't want to overexaggerate but I can't think of a better season an American player has had abroad than Dempsey is having this year.
Dempsey is having the best season he will probably ever have. If he wants to move on to a top level club this is the off season to do it. No offense to Fulham, I'm sure he loves it there.
I think he's been working really hard on that part of his game. He used to just blast the ball and it would go over the bar by 20 yards. If i remember correctly, he came close on the couple attempts he had against Italy.
are you watching jurgen? there is no excuse at this point for him to be out wide when he has wanted to play up top for a while now.
Besides the goal, my favorite part of sundays game was when Dempsey took that rocket from cech right off his head from 20 yards away without even a flinch. Just kinda looked anoyed. Almost every other player would have been rolling around on the ground. Dempsey is a pure bad ass.
loved watching him in games against Mexico. That and the World Cup game against Italy when he got elbowed and still played
Fulham FC Official 10 hours ago Congratulations to Fulham and US international star Clint Dempsey who came fourth in the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year Award. Robin van Persie came first ahead of Manchester United duo Wayne Rooney in second place and Paul Scholes in third place.
Would love to see what he could do at a bigger club but selfishly I also want to see him stay with Fulham. What an amazing year.
Going to London in July. Really excited to make a stop by Craven Cottage. Unfortunately will probably also stop by stamford bridge since my brother whose coming with me is a Chelsea fan .
Craven Cottage is right there in the middle of the neighborhood, and it's a nice walk along the river from the stadium to a collection of pubs. It's an awesome gameday atmosphere and probably a really nice visit on a random weekday as well.
Would love to go back for a game at some point but I always find myself in London during summers. Do they have some kind of fan shop there to pick up some souveniers? I also wanted to have a beer in McBrides pub but when I looked it up I guess its actually within the stadium and only open on game days. I like going to Europe and talking soccer because people are always impressed when an american knows what they are talking about.
yes right when you get off the Putney Bridge underground stop and head toward Craven Cottage there's one.
American Liverpool fans are the worst. They randomly choose some team and then pretend to get all emotional when they hear "You'll Never Walk Alone" as if they have lived and died with Liverpool their entire lives. Such contrived fandom, like guys in the midwest who used to try to convince people they were long-suffering Red Sox fans before they finally won the WS. I hope you all die soon. Faggits.