Men's Soccer Southern Conference

Former Furman Standout Dempsey Nets Goal In United States World Cup Loss To Ghana

Story Courtesy Furman sports information

GREENVILLE, SC - Former Furman soccer standout Clint Dempsey blasted a DeMarcus Beasley cross past Ghana goalkeeper Richard Kingson to become the only United States player to score a goal in three World Cup matches as the U.S. bowed out of the tournament with a 2-1 loss Thursday morning in Nuremberg, Germany.

With the United States trailing 1-0 in the 43rd minute and needing a victory to advance to the round of 16, Beasley made a run down the left wing and played a low cross into the middle of the box. Dempsey, streaking through the box, hammered a shot into the left side of the net to knot the match at 1-1.

Ghana was awarded a penalty kick after a questionable call in the box two minutes later and Stephen Appiah beat U.S. keeper Kasey Keller for the eventual game winner.

Dempsey, who scored 17 goals and recorded 19 assists in his career at Furman, earned starts in Saturday's 1-1 draw versus Italy and the 2-1 loss to Ghana.

The midfielder was a key member of Furman's 2002 team that posted a 19-3-1 record, reached the third round of the NCAA Tournament and set NCAA standards for consecutive shutouts (11) and longest conference unbeaten streak (43 matches). He was selected to the NSCAA Second Team All-America squad in 2002 and was an All-Southern Conference selection all three years at Furman. He was also a two-time NSCAA All-South region choice.

Dempsey was the eighth overall selection in the 2004 Major League Soccer Draft by the New England Revolution and was later named league rookie-of-the-year. The Revolution midfielder tallied 10 goals and nine assists in 2005 while being named to the MLS Best XI Team and earning a start in the 2005 MLS All Star Game. Dempsey's fourth minute goal versus Chicago in the Eastern Conference championship earned New England a trip to the 2005 MLS Cup final.

Dempsey has appeared in 23 matches with the full U.S. National Team netting six goals. In 2006, Dempsey has made seven starts for his country scoring four goals and helping the U.S. to a 6-4-3 record.