Jorge Campos vs Clint Dempsey: Stats Compared
Goalkeeper, Mexico (born 1966, retired 2004) · Forward, United States (born 1983, retired 2018)
When Jorge Campos and Clint Dempsey are mentioned in the same breath, opinions rarely stay quiet. Separated by their years at the top, each defined the football of their own generation. Across his senior career Jorge Campos notched 40 goals in 686 appearances (0.06 per game), while Clint Dempsey recorded 180 in 550 (0.33 per game). Modern assist data only covers part of their careers, so creativity is hard to compare cleanly — Jorge Campos is listed at 0 and Clint Dempsey at 90 where figures survive. The honours ledger favours Jorge Campos with 8 major trophies (1× Mexican Primera División) against Clint Dempsey's 2 (1× MLS Supporters' Shield (2014)). Jorge Campos belonged to the 1990s, dominating with a sweeper-keen quality; Clint Dempsey rose in the modern era with a flair-driven edge. Their routes to the top were distinct: Jorge Campos built his reputation across Pumas UNAM, Atlante, Cruz Azul, peaking around 1991, while Clint Dempsey reached his defining level around 2012 after spells with New England Revolution, Fulham, Tottenham Hotspur, Seattle Sounders. Few pairings invite such entrenched disagreement, and fewer still deserve it this much.
186 words · comparison angle: era
Player profiles
Jorge Campos Navarrete (born 15 October 1966) is a Mexican professional football coach and player who plays as a goalkeeper for Tercera Federación – Group 7 club México FC. A notable player of Mexico in the 1990s and early 2000s, Campos was an eccentric player, known for his constant play outside the penalty area – often functioning as a sweeper-keeper, as well as his acrobatic, risky, and flamboyant style of goalkeeping, and his colourful playing attire. His main strengths as a goalkeeper were his leaping ability, athleticism, and speed when rushing off his line, as well as his ability to organize his defense, which enabled him to overcome his short stature.
“A fearless, undersized goalkeeper who compensated with spring, bravery and unusual footwork.”
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.”
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× Mexican Primera División
- 1× MLS Supporters' Shield (2014)
- 1× MLS Cup (2016)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1983 Established himself at Pumas UNAM
- 1987 Reached his defining peak
- 1991 Delivered a landmark season
- 2004 Retired from professional football
- 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.
The verdict
On balance Jorge Campos edges the comparison. The margin is a clear margin, decided mostly by a weightier trophy cabinet.
Jorge Campos edges it (a clear margin)
