.jpg)
3 hours ago
1
Clint Dempsey knows a thing or two about having to stand out amongst a crowd of talented soccer players.
Before he was a USMNT legend, Dempsey had to prove himself on numerous occasions throughout his career. He began as a player at Furman University before being drafted by MLS club New England Revolution.
After working his way up to the U.S. national team, a strong 2006 World Cup earned him a move to Premier League side Fulham, where he repeatedly earned his way back into the starting lineup after each successive coaching change at Craven Cottage.
Now, Dempsey is hoping to give some of that knowledge back to the younger generation. The former national team star has traveled to select cities across the United States with the Abbott Dream Team, hoping to find young players who have flown under the radar to give them the opportunity of a lifetime.
Abbott, a global health advocate, is combing the nation by holding tryouts throughout the summer of 2025 to identify a crop of talented young players. Those selected will have the chance to fly to Spain for the opportunity to train with Real Madrid and gain valuable insight towards maintaining healthy nutritional habits and caring for their bodies.
So, after attending these tryouts and seeing the kids look to impress, what advice does Dempsey have for future young players hoping to stand out?
"It's important to play your style," he told The Sporting News while in Chicago for one of the tryouts. "Don't try to play a style you think someone wants you to play, but play the style you fell in love with. You first have to do that in a relaxed setting, whether that's dribbling cones, playing pickup, doing street soccer, then taking it to a higher level whether that's club ball or a men's league on the weekends.
"Find out the player that you are, watch the style of play you like in certain players that your eye gravitates towards, and take some of the good things they do in the game and add it to your game."
MORE: Clint Dempsey details what characteristics make up a good USMNT captain as debate rages
Part of the Abbott message to those trying out for the Dream Team has been around proper nutrition and mental health, which Dempsey says he recognized early in his career was a critical part of his push to be a top professional player.
"Rest is important, going to bed at a good time and getting the proper hours that you need," he said. "Hydration is key to make sure you're not cramping or pulling muscles, and then focusing on a balanced diet. Things in moderation, whether it's protein, carbs, fruits, vegetables, cutting out too much sugar that's never good for you."
The former USMNT star also made sure to mention the mental side of things, saying resilience is a massive part in determining whether a player can prove themselves to others.
"When you hit a speed bump you're not derailed; when your back's against the wall, you don't fold and you keep fighting. If you make a mistake, don't let that define you; it's always about the next play or the next shot."
Finally, Dempsey talked about certain skills he felt were missing from the camps he watched, to give some insight into how players can stand out by displaying techniques that are both rare and highly desirable.
"What I think they need to focus on more is first touch with both feet," Dempsey said. "You want the house to be level, you don't want one side to be better than the other to where it's going to fall down. I think it's important that if you have a bad ball to you, the game is simple take another touch and give the next person a good pass, rather than trying to play a one-touch pass and passing it to someone's shin, neck, knee."
Abbott's tryouts were held in Chicago, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Dallas and Los Angeles through July, seeking 11 players to join their Dream Team.
English (US)