Clint Dempsey is one of the greatest soccer players and athletes in U.S. sports history. His is the story that U.S. Soccer needs in order to both compete and compare with the rest of the soccer world.

Rising from the depths of working-class poverty and family tragedy, the man from Nacogdoches, Texas has been an American Soccer force in the world, bringing Fulham FC from English Premier League relegation danger to EPL competitors and a Europa League final over a five year period.

He’s represented the U.S. Men’s National Team nearly 150 times and scored 57 goals, standing alone as the only American to score at three different world cups. He has served as captain for both his club (Fulham FC and the Seattle Sounders) and his country. Just take a look:

Despite these accolades, we’re left questioning his qualities as a leader. Here’s why:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6jjPuBrMu0

What do you, the lowly player, do when you see your captain doing everything wrong in complete disregard? Do you stand up for the club and to your captain? Do you stand down and let things happen when they happen? Who do you go to? How do you avoid the poison falling from the top while you’re at the bottom looking up?