Texans Abroad: September 13, 2011

Texans Abroad is our new bi-weekly series that aims to track some of the best Texas born footballers as they progress through their career with their club and the US Men’s National Team. Many of the other leagues around the world just recently started, and some players are still finding their niche with their clubs.

Clint Dempsey – Nacogdoches, Texas
Club: Fulham (England – Premiership)
Position: Forward/Midfield
Born: March 9, 1983
Number: 23
Height: 6’1’’
Weight: 170
Age: 28

Recent News: Fulham (0-2-2) gained a point on Saturday, drawing against Blackburn. Dempsey helped Fulham dominate the second half, taking two shots and nearly connecting on one. Fulham ended the day in 18th place after gaining just two points from four league games. Dempsey has scored one goal this season. Fulham returns to UEFA Europa League action against FC Twente on Thursday before a matchup against a powerful Manchester City team on Sunday.

Career: Dempsey, also known as “Deuce,” began his soccer career at Furman University and soon became the star of the team. Dempsey collected 53 points in 62 games for the Paladins, scoring 17 goals and 19 assists in three years. He helped lead Furman to two Southern Conference titles and two NCAA Tournament appearances. Dempsey was then selected eighth overall in the 2004 MLS SuperDraft by the New England Revolution. In his rookie season, Dempsey scored seven goals in 23 matches. Dempsey played for the Revolution until 2006, when English club Fulham offered a then-MLS record $4 million for a transfer. Dempsey struggled for playing time with Fulham early, but scored the most important goal of the season against Liverpool to keep the club above relegation. The 2007 season saw Dempsey score six goals and two assists to lead Fulham in scoring. In 2008, Dempsey helped Fulham finish seventh in the Premier League and earn a spot in the Europa League. Dempsey finally became a starter and scored seven goals in 2009. As Dempsey became a common household name in soccer loving households in the US, his performances for the US Men’s National Team made him known worldwide. The skillful playmaker has become a staple in the US attack. Dempsey has scored 22 goals during his time with the US Men’s National Team. It was rumored that Dempsey would be transferred to Arsenal FC during the Summer 2011 transfer window, but no agreement could be made.

Conor Doyle – McKinney, Texas
Club: Derby County (England – Championship)
Position: Forward
Born: October 13, 1991
Number: 14
Height: 6’2’’
Weight: 189
Age: 19

Recent News: Although Doyle is still with Derby County, he has not appeared in any league games this year. Derby County is currently 5th in the Championship League with a 2-0-1 record. Their next match will be at Nottingham Forest on Saturday, September 17.

Career: Irish-American Conor Doyle took a quick route to playing professional football. Doyle graduated early from McKinney Boyd High School to begin his college career with Creighton University. He played in seven exhibition matches in the spring, helping them to a 7-0-0 record. Instead of staying at Creighton, Doyle signed with Derby County on a two-year contract. He made 13 appearances with Derby County during his first season with the club. In December of 2010, Doyle was called up to the US Under-20 squad and was then called up to the Republic of Ireland Under-21 squad, which is permitted as long as he isn’t playing for either team at the senior level. In June 2011, Doyle officially announced he will play for the US in all future matches.

Jared Jeffrey – Dallas, Texas
Club: Mainz 05 (Germany – Bundesliga)
Position: Midfielder
Born: June 14, 1990
Number: 3
Height: 5’10’’
Weight: 150
Age: 21

Recent News: Jeffrey has not appeared in any matches for Mainz 05 yet this season. Their next match will be against FC Kaiserslautern on September 17.

Career: Jared Jeffrey began his international career by captaining the US Under-17 squad in the 2007 FIFA U-17 World Cup. During his time with the team, Club Brugge (Belgium) took notice of the youngster and signed him when he turned 18. He never appeared in a senior match for Club Brugge and transferred to Mainz to appear in more matches. Jeffrey signed a three year deal with Mainz on January 4, 2010.

Jose Francisco Torres – Longview, Texas
Club: Pachuca (Mexico – Primera Division)
Position: Midfielder
Born: October 19, 1987
Number: 18
Height: 5’7’’
Weight: 135
Age: 23

Recent News: Pachuca currently rests 12th in the standings with a 3-1-4 record for the year. Torres has not yet scored for Pachuca this season but has registered one assist. He recently played with the US Men’s National Team vs. Costa Rica and Belgium. Against Costa Rica, Torres helped control the game through the midfield with Maurice Edu and Landon Donovan. Torres ripped a shot that Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas had to palm just outside of the post. The Belgium game saw Torres control the midfield more and push forward to attack less.

Career: Torres began his career with Pachuca in 2006 and slowly gained playing time with good passing and an ability to stretch defensive lines. By 2010, Torres was considered a regular, either as a starter or a sub, as Pachuca competed in the 2010 FIFA Club World Cup and in the Apertura and Clausura. He was a starter for Pachuca during the team’s run to the CONCACAF Champions League title in 2009. Torres made his debut with the US Men’s National Team on October 11, 2008 against Cuba. Torres made a career high five appearances for the National Team in 2009 during the final round of FIFA World Cup Qualifying.

Marco Vidal – Dallas, Texas
Club: Club Leon (Mexico – Liga De Ascenso)
Position: Midfielder
Born: February 21, 1986
Number: 12
Height: 5’7’’
Weight: 150
Age: 25

Recent News: Vidal’s latest action came against Universidad Guadalajara on September 10. He played the entire match, but has not yet recorded a goal on the season. Leon tied Guadalajara 1-1.

Career: Marco Vidal, a Mexican-American, played for the US Under-15 team in 2001 and has since seen time with Indios, Pachuca, and most recently with Club Leon.

Zak Whitbread – Houston, Texas
Club: Norwich City (England – Premiership)
Position: Defender
Born: January 10, 1984
Number: 37
Height: 6’2’’
Weight: 165
Age: 27

Recent News: Whitbread has appeared in three matches for Norwich City so far this season. He last played against Chelsea (EPL) and was pulled from the 3-1 loss with an injured hamstring. Whitbread was held out of last week’s 0-1 loss against West Bromwich Albion.

Career: Zak Whitbread began his career in the Liverpool youth system before joining Millwall on loan in November of 2005. Whitbread has scored five career goals while playing with Millwall and Norwich City. Whitbread joined Norwich City in January 2010, signing a two-and-a-half year deal.

Check back to FCDallas.com to stay up to date with the Lone Star State’s best footballers around the world and follow us on Twitter @FCDallas to get up to the minute updates about these players.