For the majority of professional athletes, recognition and acclaim is something that can come from various sources. However, the most precious accolades tend to be the ones that are derived from the opinions of those people in the everyday vicinity of the stars in question.
With that said, it is not surprising that, on a day when they were both named to their third consecutive MLS All-Star Game, the New England Revolution's Shalrie Joseph and Clint Dempsey were keen to recognize the fact that the honor had been bestowed upon them by their fellow professionals, coaches, the fans and the media.
"I'm really happy about it," said Joseph of being named to the MLS All-Star First XI. "It definitely feels good having your peers and coaches vote for you. You know who you are being watched by -- those guys know what they are talking about -- and it does have a special meaning when you get selected. It feels good to be on the All-Star team."
Joseph has been ever-present in the Revolution side this year and the Grenadian's calming presence in front of his defense has taken the pressure of a backline that has not only changed personnel on several occasions, but also its formation. Furthermore, in Joe Franchino's absence, Joseph has taken on the captain's armband, while at the offensive end, his three goals and one assist only added more support to his case for a spot in the First XI.
"I'd like to think that, every year, I bring something new to the table. I just want to get better and better and it just shows how hard I am working. If I continue to work hard, then this team will go further and I'll be a better player every day," said Joseph, who modestly would not be drawn on how well he thinks he has played this season.
"I'll leave my performance to be judged by [Revolution head coach] Steve Nicol and the coaches. I think I have done a lot more as a team leader because we have had a lot of injuries to key guys. I enjoy that challenge."
Dempsey's inclusion was also no surprise though World Cup duty has restricted the Texan to just nine appearances in MLS to this point. However, the 23-year-old has made the most of the time he has spent in a Revs uniform, notching four goals and two assists.
It has been a run of form that, when added to his impressive showing in Germany for is country, has simply added to the meteoric story of the kid from Nacogdoches, who admits he always had high hopes for where his career would take him.
"I saw myself, personally, going as far as I could take myself because I always believed in myself," said Dempsey, who has been named an All-Star in each of his three seasons in MLS. "As far as things actually working out though? Things have not come always come to me easily in my life so I knew it would be something I would have to work for. I have been blessed that all the hard work I have done has paid off."
In what was largely a disappointing campaign for the U.S., the emergence of Dempsey on the international stage was one of the few obvious positives. Thrown into the fray against Italy following the USA's defeat to the Czech Republic, the midfielder showed no fear against the side that would ultimately win the tournament. Five days later, through Bruce Arena's side lost the game in the end, Dempsey capped his World Cup with a fine goal against Ghana. The whole experience, he feels, has made him a better player.
"You can't help but improve being in that type of environment and atmosphere. You are forced to play at a higher level and forced to be more consistent because, if you're not, you get punished. I always want to win so I just to improve myself all the time so I continue to win. That's what motivates me the most," said Dempsey.
Dempsey's profile has risen more perhaps than any other MLS player since the last All-Star Game. Despite that, he is keeping his feet on the ground and trying not to pay too much attention to everything.
"The most important things to me are my family and my friends and doing what I am doing," he said. "I can appreciate people knowing me and recognizing me and can show them love because they show me love but I don't walk outside and think 'who's going to recognize me?'"
With Dempsey and Joseph set to be in harness from now on and with injured first-teamers coming back from injury every week, the Revolution seem ready to build on their recent good form by continuing to improve its points tally throughout the summer.
For Joseph, as nice as the personal accolades are, the main focus has to be on helping Steve Nicol's side achieve as much as it can, starting with the pursuit of the current top side in the Eastern Conference.
"We just need to stay healthy; that's the most important thing," Joseph said. "We have some guys to come back in so we will need to get the chemistry right when they do but, if we can keep picking up wins, we can start to catch D.C. United."
Andrew Hush is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
