Dempsey's European Adventure Ends in Defeat as Forlan, Atletico Win Europa League

Clint Dempsey's participation in Wednesday's UEFA Europa League final was an historic moment in American soccer, but unfortunately for the Texas-born midfielder and his Fulham teammates, simple participation will have to suffice.

The Cottagers held their own against Atletico Madrid through 90 minutes in Hamburg, but ultimately fell, 2-1 in overtime, to the genius of Uruguayan Diego Forlan and Argentine playmaker Sergio Aguero. Dempsey entered the game in the 55th minute for the gimpy Bobby Zamora, who's been troubled by an injured Achilles tendon, and had an early chance that was whistled dead for an offside infraction. Dempsey's impact from there was limited, and a tiring Fulham had no answer for Atletico's South American pair, who combined for the winning goal in the 116th minute.

Nevertheless, Dempsey can be proud to be the first American to play in a European final, and Fulham's effort confirmed that it's a club worth supporting by those fans Stateside who have too much self respect to jump on the Premier League's Big Four bandwagon.

Madrid's second team, which won its first major European trophy since the 1962 Cup Winners' Cup, certainly was the deserving winner on the night. It's continental campaign this season left something to be desired -- a 2-3-3 record in the Champions League followed by a pedestrian 2-1-5 in the second-tier Europa League -- but it made the most of its opportunity in Hamburg.

Fulham played with purpose and showed no fear going forward. However, it lacked the artistry of Forlan and Aguero, who clearly had the most skill on the field and were unlucky not to have scored more. They led an attack that caused Fulham considerable concern throughout and produced nine corner kicks to the Londoners' two. Forlan announced his presence with a 12th-minute bid from the left that struck the right post, and he gave Atletico the lead 20 minutes later with an alert finish. Aguero found some space on the edge of the penalty area but appeared to misplay his shot. The ball slipped to Forlan, who adjusted mid-run and side-footed the ball just inside the post from 12 yards away.

Aguero continued to run at the Fulham defense, but it was the underdogs who scored the next goal. Welsh national team veteran Simon Davies did the honors in the 37th minute, latching onto a deflected cross from Zoltan Gera and converting a shot that was the equal of Forlan's opener in terms of timing and technique.

Davies nearly gave Fulham the lead in the 59th, hammering a first-time shot that forced a great save from Atletico goalkeeper David de Gea. The match slowly tilted the Spaniards' way, however, and they nearly scored twice in the opening half of overtime. Fulham cleared a loose ball from the mouth of their goal in the 101st, and a strong run from Forlan in the 105th produced a deflection that a lunging Aguero nearly finished.

The pair made no mistake a little more than 10 minutes later, as Aguero slotted a cross from the left that Forlan slyly put a foot to as he ran toward the near post. The shot took a slight deflection of Fulham defender Brede Hangeland and eluded goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer. Dempsey showed some good energy in the extra session and won a couple of free kicks for his team, but could not conjure the play that would deny Atletico the trophy.

Fulham manager Roy Hodgson had nothing but praise for his side.

"We wanted to win and that shone through in everything we did out there. Everyone realized we gave our best," he said. "I thought we kept Forlan and Aguero pretty quiet considering how good these two players are. But we didn't keep them quiet quite long enough."

Dempsey's season with Fulham ended with nine goals in all competitions, including the stunner against Juventus in the Europa League quarterfinals. He will fly to the U.S. and join the national team for training at Princeton University next week.

But despite the loss, Wednesday evening was an experience he won't soon forget. Heading into the game, he said he understood the significance of his participation.

"There are players from all over the world who have their goals and dreams to do something. I know if I am the first American, I won't be the last," he told the Daily Mail. "When I go back it will be good if there's an American who comes along and says, 'I was inspired by this player'."