The Spot

The Many Faces of Clint Dempsey

Is midfielder Michael Bradley the most important player on the U.S. men’s national team? Stalwart goalkeeper Tim Howard? Striker Jozy Altidore, the poor fellow who pulled up lame on Monday with an injured hamstring? Or is it captain Clint Dempsey, who just became the first American to score in three World Cups?

That’s a tough question to answer. But what’s not up for debate is Dempsey’s status as the American player with the most-expressive face. We’ve collected our favorite Dempsey facial expressions below.

Clint Dempsey
Happy Dempsey with mean-mugging Dempsey. World Cup qualifier, Oct. 16, 2012.

Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Clint Dempsey
So happy that he’s angry: Dempsey lets off some steam after scoring against Ghana at the World Cup on June 16, 2014.

Photo by Toru Hanai/Reuters

Clint Dempsey
Dismissive Dempsey. Premier League match between Fulham and Wolverhampton, March 4, 2012.

Photo by Scott Heavey/Getty Images

Clint Dempsey
Mischevious Dempsey. Warmup with Seattle Sounders, Aug. 10, 2013.

Photo by Brad White/Getty Images

Clint Dempsey
Confused Dempsey. CONCACAF Gold Cup final against Mexico, June 25, 2011.

Photo by Lucy Nicholson/Reuters

Clint Dempsey.
Terrified Dempsey. Premier League match between Tottenham and Manchester City, April 21, 2013.

Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Clint Dempsey
Dempsey rides an invisible motorcycle. U.S. national team vs. Venezuela, May 26, 2006.

Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images

Clint Dempsey
Eyes closed and busted nose. Dempsey jumps for the ball with Ghana’s John Boye during their 2014 World Cup match on June 16, 2014.

Photo by Stefano Rellandini/Reuters

Clint Dempsey
Do you see this? Look at this! U.S. national team vs. Ukraine, March 5, 2014.

Photo by Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Getty Images

Clint Dempsey
Disbelieving Dempsey. New England Revolution vs. Los Angeles Galaxy in the MLS Cup, Nov. 13, 2005.

Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Clint Dempsey
Friendly Dempsey. Celebrating with teammate DaMarcus Beasley after scoring a goal against Venezuela on May 26, 2006.

Photo by David Maxwell/AFP/Getty Images.

Clint Dempsey
His face is a ball. U.S. national team practice, June 2006.

Photo by Timothy A. Clary/AFP/Getty Images

Read all of Slate’s World Cup 2014 coverage.