José Luis Chilavert vs Clint Dempsey: Stats Compared
Goalkeeper, Paraguay (born 1965, retired 2004) · Forward, United States (born 1983, retired 2018)
Line up José Luis Chilavert next to Clint Dempsey and the contrasts come quickly. Greatness, in the end, is about who you inspired, and both left a footprint far beyond their own careers. José Luis Chilavert finishes with 67 career goals from 737 games — a 0.09 strike rate — against Clint Dempsey's 180 from 550 at 0.33 per match. Assists were not reliably tracked for much of their careers, which makes the playmaking comparison an imperfect one; where records exist, José Luis Chilavert is credited with 0 and Clint Dempsey with 90. In major honours José Luis Chilavert collected 8 — headlined by 1× Copa Libertadores (1994) — whereas Clint Dempsey amassed 2, led by 1× MLS Supporters' Shield (2014). Their legacies diverge in texture: José Luis Chilavert is remembered as authoritative, Clint Dempsey as explosive. Club journeys add another layer, with José Luis Chilavert reaching his representative peak around 1994 across San Lorenzo, Real Zaragoza, Vélez Sarsfield, Strasbourg and Clint Dempsey doing so around 2012 with New England Revolution, Fulham, Tottenham Hotspur, Seattle Sounders. Few pairings invite such entrenched disagreement, and fewer still deserve it this much.
189 words · comparison angle: legacy
Player profiles
José Luis Félix Chilavert González is a Paraguayan former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper for Sportivo Luqueño, Guaraní, San Lorenzo de Almagro, Real Zaragoza, Vélez Sarsfield, RC Strasbourg, Peñarol and the Paraguay national team. Chilavert won 12 club titles, including the 1994 Copa Libertadores and the 1994 Intercontinental Cup, while playing for Vélez Sarsfield, and is a three-time IFFHS World's Best Goalkeeper award winner. A fast and agile shot-stopper, known for his leadership, strong personality, and goalkeeping ability, he was regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world in his prime; outside of his goalkeeping position, Chilavert was also known for his outfield skills and ability as a free kick specialist, and often took penalties.
“A commanding goalkeeper and set-piece specialist who made scoring from distance part of his job.”
The first American to score in three separate World Cups, Dempsey became the first US-born player to captain a Premier League team and remains one of the country's most decorated forwards.
“A tenacious, technically gifted forward whose late runs into the box and clever improvisation produced some of American soccer's most memorable goals.”
Head-to-head stats
Career goals by season
Representative career seasons — goals per season for each player across their documented clubs.
Attribute radar
Attribute ratings are peak-era, 0–100. Different positions naturally skew the profile.
Attribute comparison
Trophy breakdown
- 1× Copa Libertadores (1994)
- 1× MLS Supporters' Shield (2014)
- 1× MLS Cup (2016)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1986 Established himself at San Lorenzo
- 1990 Reached his defining peak
- 1994 Delivered a landmark season
- 2004 Retired from professional football
- 2004 Professional debut for New England Revolution
- 2014 Won MLS Supporters' Shield with Seattle Sounders
- 2016 Won MLS Cup with Seattle Sounders
- 2012 Reached the peak of his powers at Fulham
- 2018 Retired after a final spell at Seattle Sounders
- Finished his career with 180 goals in 550 appearances and 2 major honours. Finished his career with 180 goals in 550 appearances and 2 major honours.
The verdict
The numbers give José Luis Chilavert the lead — a clear margin, courtesy of a weightier trophy cabinet.
José Luis Chilavert edges it (a clear margin)
