9 March 2005 - A Pair Of Clints

On 9 March 2005, Clint Dempsey made his first start for the United States in a 3-0 win over Colombia.

The striker/midfielder had gotten his first cap in November 2004, but had yet to crack the starting line-up until the friendly against Colombia, played on his 22nd birthday. He was one of six players making their starting debut, including goalkeeper Jon Busch and defenders Richie Kotschau and Chad Marshall. Those three, along with substitute Nat Borchers, were playing with the national team for the first time. Dempsey was also one of two Clints on the pitch, joining

The US went up 1-0 with a 25th-minute goal from Dempsey's New England Revolution teammate, Pat Noonan, with an assist from another Revolution player, Steve Ralston. Ralston also assisted on the second goal, scored by Marshall in the 33rd minute. Clint Mathis completed the win with a third goal in the 66th minute.

While Dempsey did not score that day, he has since gone on to net a total of 57 goals in 141 appearances, making him the team's all-time top scorer.

29 July 2000 - Apparently, They Didn't Select Any Defenders

On 29 July 2000, the Columbus Crew hosted the highest-scoring MLS All-Star game ever, as East beat West 9-4 with goals from eight different players.

The 2000 edition was the fifth MLS All-Star Game and the fourth to feature East versus West (the 1998 game pit US all-stars against world all-stars). And the East had enjoyed more success, winning three matches to the West's one. 2000 provided more of the same.

Played before a sellout crowd of almost 24,000 at Columbus Crew Stadium, the East wasted no time, setting the pace with a 2nd-minute goal from MetroStar forward Clint Mathis. But the West scored a quick flurry of goals from Chicago Fire striker Ante Razov (17', 22') and Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Mauricio Cienfuegos (19') to take a 3-1 lead. By the break, the East had narrowed the gap, but the West still led, 4-3.

The second half belonged to the East, who received goals in the 51st, 59th, 61st, 65th, 67th, and 76th minutes to claim their fourth win over the West in convincing fashion. Tampa Bay Mutiny star Mamadou Diallo (pictured) claimed Man of the Match honors with two goals and an assist. A full list of the scorers is below.

East: Clint Mathis (NY/NJ) 2'; Jaime Moreno (DC) 36'; Adolfo Valencia (NY/NJ) 39'; Mark Chung (NY/NJ) 51'; Mamadou Diallo (Tampa Bay) 59', 61'; Jay Heaps (Miami) 65'; Dante Washington (Columbus) 67'; Brian McBride (Columbus) 76'.

West: Ante Razov (Chicago) 17', 22'; Mauricio Cienfuegos (LA) 19'; Piotr Nowak (Chicago) 44'.

9 March 2005 - A Pair Of Clints

On 9 March 2005, Clint Dempsey made his first start for the United States in a 3-0 win over Colombia.

The striker/midfielder had gotten his first cap in November 2004, but had yet to crack the starting line-up until the friendly against Colombia, played on his 22nd birthday. He was one of six players making their starting debut, including goalkeeper Jon Busch and defenders Richie Kotschau and Chad Marshall. Those three, along with substitute Nat Borchers, were playing with the national team for the first time. Dempsey was also one of two Clints on the pitch, joining

The US went up 1-0 with a 25th-minute goal from Dempsey's New England Revolution teammate, Pat Noonan, with an assist from another Revolution player, Steve Ralston. Ralston also assisted on the second goal, scored by Marshall in the 33rd minute. Clint Mathis completed the win with a third goal in the 66th minute.

While Dempsey did not score that day, he has since gone on to net a total of 31 goals in 92 appearances, making him third on the team's all-time scoring chart.

29 July 2000 - Apparently, They Didn't Select Any Defenders

On 29 July 2000, the Columbus Crew hosted the highest-scoring MLS All-Star game ever, as East beat West 9-4 with goals from eight different players.

The 2000 edition was the fifth MLS All-Star Game and the fourth to feature East versus West (the 1998 game pit US all-stars against world all-stars). And the East had enjoyed more success, winning three matches to the West's one. 2000 provided more of the same.

Played before a sellout crowd of almost 24,000 at Columbus Crew Stadium, the East wasted no time, setting the pace with a 2nd-minute goal from MetroStar forward Clint Mathis. But the West scored a quick flurry of goals from Chicago Fire striker Ante Razov (17', 22') and Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Mauricio Cienfuegos (19') to take a 3-1 lead. By the break, the East had narrowed the gap, but the West still led, 4-3.

The second half belonged to the East, who received goals in the 51st, 59th, 61st, 65th, 67th, and 76th minutes to claim their fourth win over the West in convincing fashion. Tampa Bay Mutiny star Mamadou Diallo (pictured) claimed Man of the Match honors with two goals and an assist. A full list of the scorers is below.

East: Clint Mathis (NY/NJ) 2'; Jaime Moreno (DC) 36'; Adolfo Valencia (NY/NJ) 39'; Mark Chung (NY/NJ) 51'; Mamadou Diallo (Tampa Bay) 59', 61'; Jay Heaps (Miami) 65'; Dante Washington (Columbus) 67'; Brian McBride (Columbus) 76'.

West: Ante Razov (Chicago) 17', 22'; Mauricio Cienfuegos (LA) 19'; Piotr Nowak (Chicago) 44'.