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Dempsey leads U.S. team into World Cup
Former Furman University soccer standout and United States Men’s National Team captain Clint Dempsey will be featured on the June 9, cover of Sports Illustrated, it was announced on Tuesday.
The cover photo, which shows the former Paladin wrapped in an American flag, is the second for Dempsey who appeared on the cover of the June 7, 2010, issue alongside U.S. teammates Landon Donovan and Tim Howard.
Dempsey and the U.S. National Team entertain Nigeria in a 6 p.m. friendly at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla., on Saturday before traveling to Brazil to finish preparations for this summer’s World Cup. Saturday’s match will be televised live on ESPN.
The United States opens group play at the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 16, versus Ghana in Natal, Brazil. The Americans face Portugal on June 22, before concluding group play against Germany on June 26. All three matches will be shown live on ESPN.
A 2002 National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) All-America choice as a Paladin, Dempsey led Furman to a pair of Southern Conference titles and two NCAA Tournament appearances before joining Major League Soccer’s New England Revolution in 2003. The midfielder netted 17 goals and added 19 assists during his three years at Furman while earning All-SoCon honors all three years and garnering NSCAA All-South Region accolades in 2001 and 2002.