Clint Dempsey: 2012 U.S. Soccer Male Athlete of the Year

For his excellence at the highest levels of the sport, U.S. Soccer announced U.S. Men’s National Team forward Clint Dempsey as the 2012 Male Athlete of the Year. Dempsey led U.S. scorers in 2012 with six goals, including five in the Semifinal Round of 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifying. The forward was also a big part of the USA’s memorable win against Italy on Feb. 29, tallying the lone goal in the 1-0 victory in Genoa. He now has 30 goals in his career, tied with Brian McBride for third all-time. In England, Dempsey concluded his career at Fulham as the team’s all-time leading scorer in the Premier League before moving to Tottenham in August in one of the highest-profile deals ever for an American abroad.