Greenville, S.C. – Sunday night is set to be a memorable evening on Seagraves Field at Stone Soccer Stadium as Furman retires Clint Dempsey's jersey prior to the 20^th-ranked Paladins tilt versus No. 8 Duke.
 
Dempsey, who starred for the Paladins from 2001-03, will be in attendance for a 5:45 p.m. jersey retirement ceremony before Furman and Duke kickoff a battle of nationally-ranked, unbeaten foes at 6:05 p.m. Admission is free to Sunday's match, which will be streamed live on ESPN+, and the first 250 fans through the gates will receive a free Clint Dempsey t-shirt. Links to the video stream and live statistics are available on the men's soccer schedule page at FurmanPaladins.com.
 
Dempsey ranks as the most recognizable former Furman athlete worldwide and one of the most impactful players in the history of United States Soccer. After a three-year career at Furman in which he earned 2002 United Soccer Coaches All-America honors and was twice named all-region, the Nacogdoches, Texas, native guided the U.S. National Team to three consecutive FIFA World Cups in 2006, 2010, and 2014 while becoming the first American to score in three World Cups. 
 
He was the eighth overall selection of the New England Revolution in the 2004 Major League Soccer Draft and claimed MLS Rookie of the Year honors, along with the first of three consecutive MLS All-Star citations, before moving to English Premier League side Fulham FC in 2006. In six years with the London club, Dempsey helped Fulham avoid relegation and reach the Europa League while becoming the most prolific American goal scorer in the league's history and Fulham's all-time leading scorer in the Premier League with 50 goals. 
 
Following a stint at Tottenham, the midfielder returned to the United States to join the Seattle Sounders and guided the club to the Supporter's Shield in 2014 and MLS Cup in 2016. A 2022 inductee into the National Soccer Hall of Fame, Dempsey finished his career as a three-time U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year (2007, '11, '12) and three-time Honda U.S. Player of the Year (2006, '11, '12). His 57 goals in 141 appearances with the U.S. National Team tie him with Landon Donovan as the USA's all-time leading goal scorer. 
 
In his three years as a standout for head coach Doug Allison at Furman, Dempsey tallied 19 goals, was a three-time All-Southern Conference choice, helped the Paladins to a pair of regular season title, and two NCAA Tournament bids. In 2002, the Paladins reached the Sweet Sixteen and garnered a No. 8 national ranking. He was inducted into Furman's Athletic Hall of Fame in 2008, the SoCon Hall of Fame in 2014, and South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame this past May.
 
Sunday's match marks the 14^th meeting between the Paladins and Blue Devils with Duke holding a 12-1-0 series lead. Duke claimed a 6-0 decision in the most recent meeting between the schools on August 27, 2023, in Durham, N.C.
 
After opening the season with a 3-0 victory over UC San Diego and 0-0 draw versus No. 9 San Diego last week at Duke's Koskinen Stadium, Furman opened its home schedule on Thursday evening with a 6-2 rout of instate foe North Greenville. Six different Paladins netted a goal and nine players registered a point in the victory as the Paladins improved to 2-0-1 on the season.
 
Duke edged San Diego, 2-1, in its season opener last week before blanking UC San Diego, 1-0, to open the campaign 2-0-0.
 
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