The Deuce, Presented by Allstate: Clint Dempsey on Mauricio Pochettino, Christian Pulisic's form, and the rise of Chris Richards

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1:48This episode of The Deuce is made possible by our great friends at Allstate. We're so proud to be teaming up with a brand that's so committed to growing the game we love. We are 29 days out from the World Cup. A fever dream of hope and anxiety and a merch acquisition. It's about to all wash over us like a footballing tsunami. And so we call to action our very own US soccer spirit guide, a living legend of the US men's national team. Men's record, 57 international goals to his name. All-time leading scorer for Fulham in the Premier League era. A gent who still haunts the dreams of Robert Greene.

2:27He's the Texas Tornado, the Bass Assassin, for an episode of his show, The Juice, on the Men in Blazers media network. It is incredible to welcome back. Oh, it's Mr. Clint Dempsey. What's up, brother? How are you doing? Oh, Clint, you know what? Not as good as you. You've been working on that golf game today. I'm getting a little bit of a tan too, so. I have not seen the sunlight in what feels like years. But I've got to say, I got such joy watching you on the Beckham and Friends Champions League live stream. It was beautiful to see you there on the couch. What was it like for you in the warm, oak-paneled football man cave?

3:03Did it all smell of cologne and leather? It was a great experience. I didn't know what to expect. The wine we had was really good as well. Beckham supplied that. But just meeting everybody that came on the show and just being down to earth and talking about life and at the same time watching the game. So it was a cool experience for me getting to meet everybody, especially Cole from Yellowstone. I love that show. So that was cool getting to meet him. and David as well. So yeah, that was a cool experience. Sir David. Sir David, my bad, my bad. Sorry, we're legally and contractually obliged to get it right.

3:44It's actually a legit lovely moment when Kate Scott asked Beckham who was a better footballer, Landon Donovan or Clint Dempsey. And Sir David said that he played with Landon, but did he have to go with you? That must have felt magic. It felt good, but I was joking with him. I was like, maybe because I probably didn't write a book about him saying negative things. Maybe that helped kind of edge me over the top to win that one. Oh, God bless. When they came to interview you for the Beckham experiment, you were like, no. I was like, no. No, I was like, Neo, they couldn't catch me for that. You're like in 15 years.

4:21Dodging everything. In 15 years, I might be in the Beckham man cave. I'm going to want to make sure I keep my mouth shut on that issue. But to this moment in time, Clint, I mean, you grew up, we know your story, playing football in its purest form. You played barefoot on a dirt lot with kids from your neighbourhood and playing games you called your very own Nagaduchess World Cup. And then through force of will, you proceeded to play in the real bloody thing. Three of them, in fact, 2006, 2010, 2014, scored in each and every one. We're charging towards this moment at some pace of knots, Clint. the US Men's National Team squad is about to be announced by Mauricio Pochettino.

5:02When this happens every four years, does memory kick back into you with the emotions you used to experience as a player in this moment back then? For sure. I mean, the World Cup is the biggest thing on earth, in my opinion, in terms of getting people together to be around one sport. I mean, people talk about the Olympics, but for me, the World Cup with soccer is so special because it was just the best of the best. And every four years, they see who's going to beat the top of the mountain. So from having the experiences of 94, being in your own home country, being able to watch these games and have these dreams of one day playing for your national team and playing in World Cups yourself to actually doing it.

5:45Now it's kind of like when you're not playing and when you're before you're playing, you look at it from a different perspective, obviously more from a fan's perspective. but while you were in it, I mean, there was no greater sense of accomplishment and pride than being on that stage and testing yourself against the best, but also being able to step up every World Cup that you were called upon. Like you said, I scored in every one of those. For me, the most special thing was being a captain of my country in the World Cup in Brazil, and we're in the group of death and being able to get out of that group.

6:20So even though I like watching it as a fan there's nothing that that beats being in the heat of the moment and being in the battle with with all your your teammates uh and going out there and trying to do something special and that 2014 memory just we were covering that on espn and i said if if you can get out the group of death i will become an american citizen you did and you did largely i'm here because of you clint dempsey but we're just a month out from the opening game um maricho pochettino busy reading his player auras, thinking about individual skills, collective chemistry. And I want to relive a simpler time, early days, 2006, your first call up to a World Cup.

7:02Your relationship with US manager Bruce Arena wasn't always an easy one. I think you've been invited to January camp, done really well. And then pre-season for your club. I don't know if you even remember this. Do you remember the challenging memories? New England Revolution? Yeah, the training ground scuffle. Yep. and you were suspended for two weeks. I think there was a chipped tooth in there somewhere. Bruce Arena kept you out of March training camp then, but when the manager announced his final roster on May 2nd at a press conference in Washington, D.C., your name was on it. Again, these were simpler times.

7:37It wasn't like a live TV show, big announcement. Did you know before the public did that you'd made the final roster? How did it work? You found out through email. What? He's got an email? Yeah, I think it was something like that, if I remember. I think my mom would, like, saw that some people have already been announced or whatever, gotten notification, and have I heard anything? And, like, I wasn't the best at, like, checking my emails and always, you know, being on top of everything, as y 'all well know through our history together. But I'm working. Clint's a text kind of guy. Yeah, I'm more of a text type of guy.

8:14But I just remember crying when I got the news, really, because it was so easily could have gone either way for me. I remember January camp being on the outside looking in. I remember all the work that I put in to make sure I was fit when I went into that camp that I was going to make a difference. And I was able to score goals in the friendly games that we had. But then you have the situation where you get in a fight, you get suspended from your club team. and you don't know if that's going to be too negative of an influence on that decision, whether or not you'll be included or not. But I was like I said, I cried.

8:50It was a dream come true for me. But then I just remember before, you know, going over to Germany, I started having like this back pain. So I had to get like an epidural. So I didn't know like what was going to happen with that situation. but I ended up with that epidural in my back, had some inflammation like L4, L3 area and doing certain type of exercises. I was able to kind of get back in, but I think it did definitely hurt my chances because I wasn't able to play in the last send-off game and it kind of kept me out for a little bit in terms of trying to fight for my spot to get more minutes in that first game when we played against Czech Republic and we lost.

9:29But I was able to make it count when I got my number called and I did well in the Italy game and then got another chance to start against Ghana. And like you talked about, got the goal, got to play in the World Cup. I mean, that's what you tell your grandkids about. First of all, I can't believe that it was just done by email. Kingclint4736 at AOL.com. I mean, like genuinely, if you didn't see your email, you're not going to the World Cup. It's so basic and wonderful. Are you a real crier in life in general? Or was this a special thing? What did you feel like in that moment when you read the email that said, Dave Clint, you're in the World Cup, loved Bruce?

10:09I wouldn't say that I'm a crier because when I lost my sister at a young age, I think it kind of made you a little bit more tough. But there's definitely been moments that have really hit me that I couldn't control. Like when you see other people go through bad stuff or yourself or what have you. I mean, in terms of soccer, the last time I cried, I think, was the Confederation Cup final when we lost, knowing that we may never get a chance to play for a trophy in a major competition again and kind of know that that moment had passed. I remember that in terms of soccer. But for the most part, no, I would say if you ask my family, they'd say that I'm more angry than sad.

10:56How would you describe Clint? No, he's just angry. Did you let yourself celebrate that night? You cried. Did you go and celebrate? Did you even sleep that night? Is it that level of excitement that you're just like, holy crap, this kid from Negadotches, he made it? I mean, it's just you're on cloud nine. I mean, there's no bigger sense of joy and pride. And that's what's been my main dream as a kid. Like I said, I used to pray about it every night, that hopefully one day I could play in a World Cup. and represent my country. I mean, this and doing it night after night after night and not knowing how things are going to play out and breaking my jaw my rookie year that made it more difficult for me to get called into the national team.

11:40And then when you finally get called into the national team and then it's like trying to compete with all the players that are playing in Europe as well that are with your country and not knowing if you're going to be making the roster and then finally make the roster, then the only American to score in that World Cup is crazy. Because like going into January camp, outside looking in to starting in the last two games of the group stage, scoring the only goal for American and winning U.S. Men's Soccer Player of the Year. I mean, you couldn't write this stuff. It was from how quickly things started going, the trajectory started going positively for me.

12:20It just kind of really allowed me then from there to go to Europe because of playing on that platform and having those eyes on you. So it felt life-changing for you in that moment. Scoring in the World Cup, for sure, life-changing. Because, I mean, just making the team, it's going to change my life in terms of giving me peace. But if you don't play and you don't start, what was it all for? If you're not able to go in there and say that you're able to run on the pitch and let your presence be felt or known. And I was able to do that. So, like, no matter what, I was already at peace from accomplishing that.

12:59But then it was like, what's next? Right. How do you stay hungry? And then that was I want to play against the best week in and week out. I don't want to wait every four years to do this. so then I got the opportunity to go to England and play with Fulham. So these are the stakes for this moment as we charge towards selection, being part of it, not selection, not being part of it. May 26th, Mauricio Pochettino will announce his roster, our roster and the honest truth is none of us really know who are going to be on it with certainty. In fact, Poch is dealing with a raft of new injuries and worst of all, Johnny Cardoso just played in a Champions League semi-final for Atletico.

13:37picked up a high ankle sprain in training. He's going to require surgery, will miss the World Cup. Derby County striker Patrick Adjuan, we knew he was already out with an Achilles injury. Tanner Tessman will miss the rest of the season for Lyon, racing to be fit for June if he's selected. Tim Weyer dealing with an unknown muscular injury sideline for Marseille this weekend. And we'll talk about Christian Pulisic in just one moment and his muscular injury. Look, Clint, you are no stranger to this dilemma. January 2010, you suffer crucial ligament damage to your right knee and a 2-0 loss for them to Blackburn.

14:13And your manager at the time, the legendary Roy Hodgson, was not optimistic. He said you might require surgery, which will put you out of contention for six months at least. When you go off the field at Ewood Park with that injury, knowing there's 20 weeks to go until the opening game in South Africa, what's it feel like as a footballer realising in that second, your World Cup might be in jeopardy? I mean, for me, talking about that situation and what I remember, I was pissed at Roy Hodgson for going and speaking to the media before I've even gotten a chance to go get scans and see what was going on, right?

14:50But lucky enough for me, what I did was it was a grade two of a PCL. So basically, when I was fouled and my shin hit the ground so hard, It aggravated the PCL, but it wasn't bad enough that I needed surgery, but it was bad enough that I needed to keep it my legs straight basically for seven to eight weeks. So that sucked that I had to deal with that, but I didn't have to have surgery. And then it's you know, you know that there's a there's a path back. Right. And just doing what you need to do, feeling strong again. And then the first goal I scored for coming back was the chip against Juventus.

15:29So it was like, hey, I'm back. Hey, I'm ready. Bob, I hope you're watching. Like, you know what I'm saying? Like, there ain't nothing going to keep me out of this World Cup. So I knew we're playing against England. I was in the Premier League. There was always a rivalry, whether it was, you know, Ryder Cup or or what have you. There was always trash talk in there. And we knew that there was going to be because of the, you know, the history that both our countries have. So that was important for me to get that goal and to be back on, you know, playing again and being fit. Because like you said, you don't know what's going to happen.

16:05You don't know, like, if it's something going to be more serious. I got lucky. You know what I'm saying? So I didn't have to have surgery. That's what allowed me. But you have to always play like there's no tomorrow anyway. And if you're always thinking, oh, I might do this, I might do that. If you don't go in 100 percent, most of the time you're going to get hurt. so you can't go in thinking should I should or not if you're thinking those things you shouldn't be playing I mentioned Christian Pulisic his tough 2026 continues with news from Milan that he's an unknown glute issue we don't know yet how serious and honestly this injury couldn't come at a worse time Christian hasn't found the back of the net for a quite agonizing 18 games for his club his US men's national team goal drought goes back this is still incredible to me to 2024 2024.

16:54How do you think about Christian's form and how we understand what's at the core of this drop off? Look, it's not ideal for Christian to be going through that right now as we get closer to the World Cup. You don't want him in a slump and he doesn't want to be in a slump. And you know that you have a big opportunity to do something special to play a World Cup on home soil. And you know how special that was in the US team, what they did in 94 and because of how well they did. The MLS league came about and gave kids like me a chance to believe not only could I play for my country and World Cubs, but also could play professional and make a living playing club ball.

17:31But what I'll say about Christian is he's, it's one of those things that all it takes is one goal, one assist to kind of get you back on track again, right? And all you can control is how hard you work when you're fit and you're on the field. So whether it's chasing down lost causes, whether you're getting stuck in on 50-50 challenges, whether you're getting on the end of things and testing the keeper and putting shots on frame or putting people in dangerous areas for them to get shots on frame. That's really all you can control, right? And sometimes you just need a little bit of luck to kind of go your way.

18:02But the more people talk about it and more the drought goes on and more gets in your mind and starts to weigh on you. And the only way to get rid of all that noise is to put one in the back of the net. It's fascinating because Christian's on the front cover of Time Magazine this week. A photograph of him pulling the red, white and blue US kit over his Rossoneri jersey. Kind of a reverse Superman. In the interview, Plussik spoke about his awareness of the criticism that accompanied his end of time at Chelsea. He said, that's how everyone's career kind of goes. It's not just constantly soaring up, which is a human truth.

18:40The interview actually ends on a challenging note. The writer talks to him about how he's going to stop the scoring slump. And Chris goes, I just plan on scoring goals. He was then asked, do you have any new message for anyone who's concerned about the fact you're not scoring? This is a legit quote. He goes, such bad questions. I mean, Clint, you've already addressed some of this because you live scoring dips. Every player lives scoring dips. When you take the field in one of those moments, yeah, you're going to chase the ball harder. Yeah, you're going to shoot. Yeah, you're going to put them on frame.

19:13Does it weigh on you? when you're leaving that tunnel mentally, do you take that onto the field or do you work out a process by which you just repress it, compartmentalize, toss it aside? No, I mean, it's there. There's an elephant in the room. It's obvious, right? That it's a situation that you're dealing with. Things are not going well. People are aware of it. You're aware of it. And the only thing you can do is go out there and change it. Right. And the beautiful thing about soccer, about this game is there's always the next game to get things right and to get back on track and get yourself on a streak again because all it takes is you to catch fire and get on that wave and your perception completely changes.

19:54I mean, you can score one goal, huge goal, and be a hero overnight. That's what's so beautiful about this game. Let's just say he scores the game-winning goal the first game on June 12th, SoFi Stadium against Paraguay. Everybody's going to be singing his praises and that's what's so beautiful about it is all it takes is a moment like that to change the perception of of people and and to make yourself a hero again and also a player that's been able to score in consecutive world cups which is always good to be able to say hey look no matter what the competitions were that we're in i always stepped up and was able to to prove my worth so hopefully that's that's how he's looking at this thing

20:40We have had some positive injury news. Thank God. Serginio Dest, a gentleman so electric, he edits legit his own highlight reel videos after the game, whether his team wins or loses, which is both mad and wonderful. But he's back to the squad following a long ACL injury, kept out of competitive football for almost a year. Played 26 times for PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands. A season eight assists across all comps helped them win. the Eredivisie. But for the national team, it's incredible. Since the last World Cup, the opportunities for Sergino have been so limited. He was such a core part of the Berhalter era.

21:20Incredibly, he's only played four times under Pochettino, which I had to look up and double check and triple check, Clint. It sounds mad. But he played a friendly September and November of last year. This man is going to drop essentially into the World Cup squad, probably into the World Cup team on the very eve of the competition. We won't have the reps with the back line. He won't have that familiarity. For him, he's going to have to learn a new system, Potts' system. How hard was it for you when you had a new teammate just materialise on the eve of a World Cup for the team to adjust to them?

21:55Yeah, I mean, it's been a weird situation in terms of not having to qualify for this World Cup, right? So in terms of how truly important you are to the team, it's kind of tough to say because you weren't a part of those battles to to prove your worth right and or whether now you've been out with injury and what have you I mean all you can do is hope your club form speaks for itself and if you're not performing there and you get called into the national team what you do with the national team hopefully that that that speaks for itself but every player is in there only controlling what they can control right is what are they doing to help the team get better and making sure they're making sure that they're taking care of themselves in a way that they can make it make an impact and knowing that you know you can't carry somebody else's water you got to focus on your own thing and by everybody doing their what they need to do to to bring people along that everything will kind of take care of itself I mean soccer is the language that everybody speaks and you get that through passing and and and and talking and communicating and someone having your back, you know, defending or someone getting onto the end of a bad pass for you.

23:09You know what I'm saying? Running down, chasing something that looked like it's going to go out of bounds and saving it and making something out of nothing, like doing those types of things for your teammates. That's what that brings that togetherness. And that's what gets everybody kind of like fighting for each other is people that are doing that little bit extra for the guy next to them to, to kind of lift them up and let them know when their backs against the wall that we can stick together. I want to talk about a player I love in that backline. He's emerged as the dominant part of Potch's backline over the past two years.

23:41It's Chris Richards, that joyful warrior from Alabama. He's now got the experience of winning tournaments with his club, Crystal Palace, lifted the FA Cup so magnificently in 2025 and is now headed to the Europa Conference Final in Leipzig later this month. Incredible achievement. I'm really fascinated about what happens when a player wins a trophy, which brings us to our doing it like the juice presented by Allstate. Chris's performance at club level are something that every U.S. men's national team fan takes pride in as we head into the summer. Serious question. Does winning silverware change how a player is seen by other U.S.

24:25players? is does becoming a winner, does it count for something extra? How does that work in terms of how he's viewed within the squad? It gets another level of respect. It shows that you are a winner and that you had to battle through the ups and downs to be successful. But also, you notice the change within yourself, right? More confidence, more at peace, and more kind of aware of who you are and what you bring to the team. I mean, I think that he's really, like you said, solidified himself as being one of the first names when you're putting a starting lineup is put on that sheet, right? And what comes with that is just that confidence that he can go out there and lead.

25:06And he's not looking over his shoulder like, is someone going to replace me? Am I doing what's right? He now has the confidence of his manager, both for club and country. I mean, that's the place you want to be in when you're playing week in and week out, and you're always being picked to be in the lineup. I mean, there's no better feeling than that and being confident and playing well and hoping to continue doing it for as long as you can. That's always the goal. It's crazy. I mean, it is interesting. He's the same man with the same playing ability. But there is something in professional football, when you've won something, you always talk about a manager coming in, he's won things that matters to the squad, the perception of.

25:47And it is a player winning something. It does. You do. You are seen differently, even though you're the same person. Yeah, I mean, for sure. It's crazy, right? Like just something so small by gaining that confidence, it just kind of takes you to to another level. I mean, I think you kind of see it and golf and different things like that. Like with Rory finally winning the Masters and getting that grand slam and being only the fourth player in history to every do that. he becomes a different player because he's able to be on a list of so few that are on it in terms of accomplishments they've done.