Bobby Moore vs Clint Dempsey: Stats Compared
Centre-Back, England (born 1941, retired 1978) · Forward, United States (born 1983, retired 2018)
Set Bobby Moore alongside Clint Dempsey and the numbers start an argument of their own. Reputations harden into legacies, and few careers cast longer shadows than these two. The raw numbers read 27 goals in 650 outings for Bobby Moore (0.04/game), versus 180 in 550 for Clint Dempsey (0.33/game). Modern assist data only covers part of their careers, so creativity is hard to compare cleanly — Bobby Moore is listed at 0 and Clint Dempsey at 90 where figures survive. Trophy counts give Bobby Moore 3 and Clint Dempsey 2, with 1× FIFA World Cup (1966) and 1× MLS Supporters' Shield (2014) the standout honours respectively. Their legacies diverge in texture: Bobby Moore is remembered as anticipatory, Clint Dempsey as predatory. Their routes to the top were distinct: Bobby Moore built his reputation across West Ham United, Fulham, San Antonio Thunder, peaking around 1966, while Clint Dempsey reached his defining level around 2012 after spells with New England Revolution, Fulham, Tottenham Hotspur, Seattle Sounders. Picking between them says as much about the picker as the players.
176 words · comparison angle: legacy
Player profiles
England's World Cup-winning captain in 1966 and widely regarded as one of the finest defenders in history, Moore was renowned for his flawless reading of the game and composure on the ball.
“A composed, immaculately positioned centre-back whose anticipation and tackling timing made pace almost irrelevant.”
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× FIFA World Cup (1966)
- 1× FA Cup (1964)
- 1× UEFA Cup Winners' Cup (1965)
- 1× MLS Supporters' Shield (2014)
- 1× MLS Cup (2016)
Trophy distribution
Career milestones
- 1958 Professional debut for West Ham United
- 1966 Won FIFA World Cup with West Ham United
- 1965 Won UEFA Cup Winners' Cup with West Ham United
- 1966 Reached the peak of his powers at West Ham United
- 1978 Retired after a final spell at San Antonio Thunder
- Finished his career with 27 goals in 650 appearances and 3 major honours. Finished his career with 27 goals in 650 appearances and 3 major honours.
- 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
The numbers give Bobby Moore the lead — a narrow margin, courtesy of consistency at the very highest level.
Bobby Moore edges it (a narrow margin)
