Try and Tread on This

With a work permit clenched in his right hand and his trusty vapors in his left, Clint “Deuce” Dempsey got the go-ahead and departed for England to join fellow Americans Carlos Bocanegra and Brian McBride at Fulham FC.

After waiting patiently for so long, it’s finally time for Deuce to go to work against the best competition the world has to offer. There are a lot of people depending on him to succeed: family, friends and a million adoring soccer fans across the country, to name a few.

“Under pressure” is an understatement for Dempsey. Hey, millions of dollars and the chance to once again prove his former league’s worth as stock house of young talent seem well worth the risk.

So while Clint’s stomach says goodbye to his favorite Lonestar cuisine and says hello to EPL fish and chips, all of us at Nikesoccer.com got together to write him a send-off letter.

Dear Deuce,

First off, congrats. From Nacogdoches, Texas to New England to old England, you’re really going places. Despite the difficult circumstances, the underestimations, you’ve let your performance on the field speak for itself. After all those years of hard work and sacrifice, those marathon-length car rides to practices and games, we can’t think of anyone who deserves the limelight and a fat pay day any more than you.

Remember, you’re a new breed of American soccer player; something the rest of the world only caught a short but memorable glimpse of in Germany 2006.

So bring the skill, bring the flair and, most importantly, bring that classic Deuce attitude we all know and love. As you’ve said in the past, if you don’t want the rest of the world to tread, than sometimes you got to step all over them yourself.

This is your national anthem, all starred and spangled:

Don’t wake a sleeping giant
Unless you wanna see him pissed
Though I’m quick with my feet
You ain’t seen the fist
It’d be a one hitter quitter
Then class dismissed
Better think twice before you
Try and TREAD ON THIS

Keep that Don't Tread spirit alive for those of us who can only dream of representing America abroad. Just keep your play up to the normal surgical standards and everyone else should get the picture. Be a good teammate, tackle hard, score goals, play beautiful.

That being said, don’t just fit into their system—make it your own.

Yeah we came to learn
But we’re starting to teach…
Cause we stood in the shadows
Now you can see

Time to step into the light, Deuce.

Best of luck,
Nikesoccer.com

P.S. – Maybe it’s the mother in us, but don’t forget to pack that tricorn hat you once used for a goal celebration and maybe even a fife; we’re sure the fans at your new club would appreciate a little bit of that old revolutionary spirit.