Blazing a trail for US footballers

Clint Dempsey jumped high in the air, both arms raised, as a fan in the stands at Fulham unfurled a Lone Star flag. On this January afternoon in London, Dempsey had become the first American to score a hat-trick in the history of the Premier League. The eyes of English football were on the 28-year-old from Nacogdoches, Texas. With 16 goals this season, the Texas trailblazer is destroying the image of the US as a nation still searching for a top scorer. "Being an American, I think you have a little bit of a chip on your shoulder because there's a point to prove," Dempsey said ahead of his national team's friendly in Italy last night. "I guess you'll kind of feel that way until maybe you're doing better as a country as far as going further in World Cups or you have Americans who are playing on the biggest teams in the world." Craven Cottage is a quaint stadium next to the Thames in south-west London. Dempsey walks on to the field before games, turns and blows kisses to his family sitting in the Cottage Pavilion seats, above the dressing rooms. He's given Fulham, who have never won a major title in their 133 years, reason to cheer. Dempsey has had the best season by an American attacking player in England. His 10 league goals (of Fulham's 32) raised his total to 43 since he was bought from Major League Soccer's New England Revolution in January 2007, eclipsing the 36 by Brian McBride from 2003-08. Only seven players have more Premier League goals this season — a starry group of Robin van Persie, Wayne Rooney, Sergio Aguero, Demba Ba, Edin Dzeko, Yakubu and Emmanuel Adebayor. Dempsey had not just one, but a pair of hat-tricks last month, against Carlton in the FA Cup and Newcastle in the Premier League. "It's always good to be doing well and to get accolades and stuff like that" he said. "I'm just trying to be the best player possible." From gulfnews