Dempsey: 'We Were Surprised' Donovan Was Cut From World Cup Team

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United States forward Clint Dempsey celebrates after scoring against Guatemala during the first half of a World Cup qualifying soccer match in Kansas City, Kan., Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2012.

Image: Reed Hoffmann/Associated Press

By Sam Laird2014-05-31 22:00:34 UTC

Less than two weeks ahead of the World Cup's start, United States Mens' National Team (USMNT) star Clint Dempsey was in New York City in the midst of a whirlwind media tour preceding the tournament.

Mashable got a chance to speak with Dempsey via phone on Friday. We talked Group of Death, Landon Donovan's startling omission from the World Cup squad, the role fans play in the team's quest for the knockout stage and more.

The following transcript has been lightly edited for length and editorial style:

Q&A with Clint Dempsey

Mashable : You were a late scratch from the team's recent tuneup match against Azerbaijan, so got to watch from the sideline. What did you see from the squad, both good and bad?

Dempsey: It was a difficult game, partly because of the conditions, just because it was so windy. It's difficult to adjust to that, and Azerbaijan also kept a lot of numbers behind the ball, which was difficult to break down. Then when we were able to get into good areas, they were very aggressive on the ball, so we were able to capitalize on some of those fouls with free kicks. If we'd been able to put it in earlier with a score, that would have made things easier, but we were able to do well with our set pieces overall.

Just over two weeks into coach Jurgen Klinsmann's training camp, what's been the hardest part?

The fitness, the workload, the number of sessions in a day with gym sessions, double training, morning runs. But at the same time, that's what it's about — you're working hard and trying to push your fitness to a peak level. It's difficult when you're going through it, but at the same time it shows when you get there.

When you get tired, you make bad decisions. When you're able to stay fresh, you're able to stay sharp. That fitness level and the work ethic it requires is something we've always been able to do well as a country.

South Africa Soccer WCup US Ghana

United States' Clint Dempsey during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between the United States and Ghana at Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg, South Africa, on Saturday, June 26, 2010.

Image: Rebecca Blackwell/Associated Press

Landon Donovan getting cut from the final 23-man World Cup roster was a stunner to many fans. What about you and some of the other more veteran guys who have played with him for longer — was it a surprise for you? Or was it something you maybe had an inkling was coming?

As players, yeah, we were surprised. But there are big decisions that need to be made. It's difficult for every player because everyone in that 30 [-man training-camp roster] can easily be in the 23. That's a difficult job for the manager to make those decisions, and he felt the 23 we have now is the best group, going forward.

We have to trust his experience playing and coaching at the highest level, and we've been playing well under him. So we trust that. We're excited to move forward, but at the same time you feel bad for the guys who didn't make it. It's just a difficult situation for everyone.

The USA is in a notoriously hard group, and it seems a lot of people are counting you out. But what are some of the things you feel good about, and how important is that first match against Ghana on June 16?

Maybe some people are counting us out. Maybe some people believe in us. At the end of the day, we believe in ourselves. We feel if we're able to play to the best of our ability, we do have the quality to get out of our group. That's what we try to focus on. If you don't believe we can get out of this group, then you shouldn't be on the team.

We have to hit the ground running that first game, and can't be having any jitters or take our time to feel the game out. You have to go and take advantage of the opportunity to try to get maximum points. You don't want to be chasing points to the end, because every game is going to be difficult.

Degree, one of the USMNT's sponsors, just unveiled this huge banner today [Friday] featuring the faces of tons of U.S. fans, which will travel with the team to Brazil. Given that the World Cup usually takes place far from the States, what role do fans actually play in helping the team rally?

When you look into the crowd and see fans, it definitely motivates you even more. We've had the greatest support, not only at home, but away from home too. If you look at the countries outside Brazil, I think we're one of the countries that will have the most fans at the games. When you look in the stands, you get the feeling that you're not alone, and that you have these people behind you. That makes us stronger as a team and a country.