WASHINGTON, December 12, 2012 — Forward Clint Dempsey has been voted the Fútbol de Primera U.S. national team soccer player of the year. This is the third time Dempsey has won the most prestigious honor given to an U.S. team member.
He earned the award in 2011 and 2006. The award has been presented annually for the last 22 years by Fútbol de Primera a Spanish-language soccer broadcasting network and is voted on by 183 U.S. journalists.
Dempsey, 29, earned nine caps this year, scoring six goals for the American team, five of which helped the red, white and blue advance to the final qualifying stage for 2014 World Cup. Since his U.S. debut in 2004, he has notched 30 goals in 91 games.
In the voting, Dempsey received a total of 352 points, while midfielder Michael Bradley, 25, finished second with 248 points and goalkeeper Tim Howard, 33, placed third with 169 points. In order to be eligible for the award, a player must have played in a minimum of three games for the U.S. team in the calendar year.
Dempsey scored 17 goals for Fulham in the Premier League last season before moving to Tottenham Hotspur, where he has notched three goals in the current campaign.
Dempsey first started his professional soccer career in 2004 with the MLS New England Revolution. He moved to Fulham FC in 2007.
Created by Fútbol de Primera, the award has honored 12 different players in its 22 years history:
Landon Donovan (2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2004, 2003 and 2002)
Clint Dempsey (2012, 2011 and 2006)
Kasey Keller (2005, 1999)
Earnie Stewart (2001)
Claudio Reyna (2000)
Cobi Jones (1998)
Eddie Pope (1997)
Eric Wynalda (1996, 1992)
Alexi Lalas (1995)
Marcelo Balboa (1994)
Thomas Dooley (1993)
and Hugo Perez (1991).
John Haydon wrote a weekly soccer column for The Washington Times. He has covered two World Cups and written about Major League Soccer from the league’s inception in 1996.
Follow John on Twitter at @Johnahaydon
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