Fans of US soccer can hardly contain their excitement.
Many woke up this morning wondering if today the Clint Dempsey to Seattle Sounders transfer will officially be confirmed.
Last night ProSoccerTalk’s sources told us a deal has been sealed for Dempsey to head to the Emerald City.
The figures involved have been leaked and Dempsey will likely become the best paid player in league history, so all eyes will be on Seattle this evening with Dempsey expected to be unveiled at CenturyLink Field before the league game with FC Dallas.
(MORE: Confirmed, Clint Dempsey to sign with Seattle Sounders FC)
But with Dempsey’s move from the Premier League to Major League Soccer, should fans of the USMNT be rejoicing or slightly worried?
That question has been flying around in the last 24 hours, almost as much as Dempsey himself.
So, the US national team captain is set to head back to his homeland and become the figurehead of the league’s best supported franchise. The World Cup in Brazil is less than 12 months away, and even the most ardent fan of MLS is questioning this decision from Dempsey.
Will the USA suffer from Dempsey’s switch to MLS?
I really don’t think this will have an impact on Dempsey’s role with the US, at all. Look, Jurgen Klinsmann loves having national team stars playing for the best teams in Europe against top teams week in, week out.
But Dempsey only started 22 league games last season and only played the full 90 minutes 11 times. And with the arrival of Roberto Soldado and Nacer Chadli in the last week, Dempsey wasn’t going to be a starter at Spurs. So he should find somewhere to play regularly, where he is guaranteed to be the leader and take control of games.
He will do that in Seattle and in MLS. Yes, there’s a gulf in class between the PL and MLS. But why would Clint want to be stuck on the bench at Spurs in the lead up to the biggest tournament of his career?
Some would argue Klinsmann has been reluctant to use players from Major League Soccer in starting roles with the national team. I’d agree. But Klinsmann’s attitude has shifted in recent months.
(MORE: Dempsey to Seattle in $9 million move, plus $8 million salary)
The USA’s central defensive partnership for the foreseeable future will be made up of MLS defenders Matt Besler, Omar Gonzalez and Clarence Goodson. Graham Zusi from Sporting KC has become a starter out wide, Landon Donovan of the LA Galaxy is back in. While MLSers Eddie Johnson, Brad Evans and Brad Davis have all featured prominently in recent World Cup qualifiers.
The tide is turning, Klinsmann obviously doesn’t see MLS as being vastly inferior to the top European leagues as a breeding ground for his national team.
Look, Dempsey has obviously spoken to Klinsmann about this move. And the German coach will have almost certainly given it the go ahead because there’s no way Deuce would risk his position as USMNT captain and starter for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. The level of play in MLS isn’t as high as the Premier League, but Dempsey won’t turn into a bad player because he’s scoring against Chivas USA instead of Chelsea.
Fans of Major League Soccer and the US national team should rejoice. Dempsey is coming home and it won’t effect the Yanks chances of World Cup qualification or in Brazil itself next summer.
Those who lambast Dempsey for leaving Tottenham may be upset to see one of the USA’s top players throwing the towel in because he won’t be a starter in the Premier League. I get it. But Dempsey has had seven seasons as a regular in England, scoring 72 goals in 268 appearances. He’s done his bit to raise the profile of American players in Europe. He has nothing to prove to anyone.
Now it’s time for Deuce to come home. #DempseyWatch is almost over.
More: Where does Clint Dempsey’s signing rank in MLS Designated Player history?
More: Official, Tottenham confirm sale of Clint Dempsey to MLS
More: Confirmed, Clint Dempsey to sign with Seattle Sounders FC
More: Dempsey to Seattle in $9 million move, plus $8 million salary
