Feb. 5, 2007
Greenville, S.C. -
Former Furman soccer All-Americans Ricardo Clark and Clint Dempsey headline interim head coach Bob Bradley's 20-man United States National Team roster as the Americans prepare to face Mexico in an international friendly in Glendale, Arizona, on Wednesday.
Clark, who made his national team debut as a substitute in a 2005 World Cup qualifier against Panama, earned a start in a 3-1 U.S. victory over Denmark last month. This past week Clark netted a goal from more than 20 yards out in a closed-door friendly against Swedish first division side Hammarby.
The Jonesboro, Ga., native played in 31 matches netting two goals and adding three assists while helping the Houston Dynamo claim the 2006 MLS Cup. A defensive midfielder, he played two seasons at Furman earning NSCAA and College Soccer News First Team All-America honors in 2002.
"It's neat to see two former Furman teammates still playing as teammates and practicing their trade at the highest level," said Furman head coach Doug Allison. "Following their success is exciting for our current team and their former Paladin teammates."
Dempsey returns to national team duty after completing an estimated $4 million transfer from the New England Revolution to London-based English Premier League side Fulham during the January transfer window. The midfielder has appeared in three EPL matches and Fulham's FA Cup victory over Stoke City in his first three weeks in England.
A three-time MLS All-Star, Dempsey 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.
The U.S. national team star scored four goals in nine games for his country this past year, including one in the World Cup, and finished tied for the team lead in goals. Dempsey, who made his debut with the national team in 2004, has scored six goals in his 23 career matches.
Wednesday's match will be televised live on ESPN2 with kickoff slated for 9:00 p.m. ET.
