Clint Dempsey vs David James: Stats Compared
Forward, United States (born 1983, retired 2018) · Goalkeeper, England (born 1970, retired 2014)
Comparing Clint Dempsey with David James means weighing two very different kinds of greatness. Strip away the highlights and the medal count tells its own story for each man. Clint Dempsey finishes with 180 career goals from 550 games — a 0.33 strike rate — against David James's 0 from 850 at 0.00 per match. Assists were not reliably tracked for much of their careers, which makes the playmaking comparison an imperfect one; where records exist, Clint Dempsey is credited with 90 and David James with 0. In major honours Clint Dempsey collected 2 — headlined by 1× MLS Supporters' Shield (2014) — whereas David James amassed 1, led by 1× FA Cup (2008). Clint Dempsey built his medal haul through years of explosive consistency, while David James won his with commanding bursts of brilliance. Their routes to the top were distinct: Clint Dempsey built his reputation across New England Revolution, Fulham, Tottenham Hotspur, Seattle Sounders, peaking around 2012, while David James reached his defining level around 2005 after spells with Watford, Liverpool, Aston Villa, West Ham United, Manchester City, Portsmouth, Bristol City, Bournemouth. Each, in his own way, set a standard the other is measured against.
197 words · comparison angle: trophies
Player profiles
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.”
The Premier League's most-capped goalkeeper at the time of his retirement, James was renowned for his shot-stopping and occasional highlight-reel errors across a two-decade top-flight career.
“An athletic, agile shot-stopper whose reflexes and command of his box made him a mainstay of English goalkeeping for two decades.”
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× MLS Supporters' Shield (2014)
- 1× MLS Cup (2016)
- 1× FA Cup (2008)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 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.
- 1988 Professional debut for Watford
- 2008 Won FA Cup with Portsmouth
- 2005 Reached the peak of his powers at Manchester City
- 2014 Retired after a final spell at Bournemouth
- Finished his career with 0 goals in 850 appearances and 1 major honours. Finished his career with 0 goals in 850 appearances and 1 major honours.
The verdict
On balance Clint Dempsey edges the comparison. The margin is a clear margin, decided mostly by a sharper goalscoring record.
Clint Dempsey edges it (a clear margin)
