Clint Dempsey ties with Landon Donovan as USMNT's all-time Scorer
04 Aug 2017
Seattle Sounders striker Clint Dempsey edged closer to breaking Landon Donovan's all-time record for USMNT after he scored in his country's 2-0 win over Costa Rica in the Gold Cup semi-final.
The former Fulham man tied Donovan's feat of 57 goals for USMNT yesterday, and he will now hope to eclipse this record when his nation take on Jamaica in the final to be held on Wednesday.
Following the game, United States legend Donovan congratulated Dempsey on tying the record, and he playfully suggested that they should simply call it a tie, he tweeted: Complete performance from the #USMNT Congrats to @clint_dempsey on tying the record.....feel free to stop now and we can share it "
The USMNT utilised a young squad during the early stages of the Gold Cup but they recalled some of their senior statesman including Michael Bradley and Tim Howards in the backend of the tournament in order to push for glory. Donovan's record could be done and dusted in history when the United States take on Jamaica in Wednesday's final after the Reggae Boyz clinched a 1-0 victory over an understrength Mexico side last night.
Despite this, Donovan will always be remembered as one of the greats in the nation's history with his assists tally of 58 unlikely to be caught in the near future. Out of the current players, Michael Bradley stands joint second on the list with just 22 whilst Dempsey is fourth with 20.
The USMNT last won the Gold Cup in the summer of 2013, and they will enter the final as favourites against Jamaica, who finished runners-up to Mexico in the previous tournament. Dempsey has remained the lynchpin in the USMNT's attack over the years, and his contribution is likely to be key as the country hope to qualify for the 2018 World Cup finals held in Russia.