Feb. 17, 2006 – Clint Dempsey scores 5 goals in preseason game

Clint Dempsey joined the Revolution as a defensive midfielder in 2004, but began emerging as an attacking threat early on. By ’06, Dempsey had become a regular with the U.S. national team, though he did not solidify a starting role until the final game of 2006 World Cup group play. In the preseason, Dempsey totaled 7 goals – he scored 5 goals in an 8-1 win over the Bermuda U-20 national team on this day.

Dempsey scored 8 goals in 21 games for the Revolution (plus another 4 for the U.S.) in ‘06. But, by the end of the season, Dempsey and several teammates were playing injured. The lack of an adequate bench, plus some physical opposition along the way, caused the Revolution to be below par in the MLS Cup final; Dempsey and Steve Ralston were unable to participate in penalty kicks as the Revolution lost to the Houston Dynamo after playing to a 1-1 draw.

TODAY IN NEW ENGLAND SOCCER HISTORY