Named MLS's best new player in 2004, Clint Dempsey's rise to prominence in US Soccer circles has been nothing short of meteoric. 

With freestyle rapping skills to match his dazzling ball control and invention on the pitch, the 23-year-old New England Revolution striker recently edged out the likes of Landon Donovan, Brian McBride and Kasey Keller for US Soccer's Player of the Year award for 2006.

Now, as he prepares to take on Chicago Fire in the first round of Major League Soccer's 2006 play-offs, the Nacogdoches, Texas native took time out to chat exclusively with FIFA.com about his recent accolades, dreams of playing in Europe and just where he developed his unique style on the football field.

FIFA.com: There aren't too many players in the history of US soccer with the kind if individual flair and creativity you often show. Where does your style come from?
Clint Dempsey: I guess it comes from growing up down south in Texas and having a lot of exposure to the Latin American style of playing. I was always watching Central American teams and Mexican teams and I got really into the passion they show for the game and the creative individual style appealed to me early on.
Also, one of the most important things for me was a videotape called 'Hero' about Diego Maradona. The things he could do with the ball were so amazing and I used to watch it over and over. It just made me fall in love with the sport on a different level. As far as I'm concerned, Maradona did for soccer what Michael Jordan did for basketball.

After receiving rookie of the year honours in 2004, do you think you've improved significantly in the two seasons since?
In professional soccer, you have to improve every year. With each season, you get to be more and more of a marked man and as defenders focus on you, you have to find a way to still be influential on the field. I keep trying to improve, it's important not to get complacent. I'm the kind of guy who always wants to be the best at what I'm doing and I'll keep trying to get better and better in the game until time catches up with me.

Heading into the play-offs against Chicago Fire, do you think your New England Revolution team is in a good position?
We've had some injury problems recently, and we still don't have our best side out on the field, but we are a tough team and we always try to grind out a result even if we're not playing too well. Hopefully now we'll be getting injured guys like Shalrie Joseph and Pat Noonan back for the play-offs and I think if all goes well, and we come together as a full squad, we might be peaking at the right time.

What makes the play-offs different from the 'regular season' games in MLS?
There's always more on the line in the playoffs. There's more pressure and excitement. You don't always feel that make-or-break thing in the regular season, but in the play-offs every mistake can send you out. 

You were recently voted US Player of the Year for 2006. How much of an honour was that?
It's a huge honour for me, but something I'm trying not to get carried away with. Heading into 2006, I was just trying to get on the (national) team, so this award is not something I could have expected or predicted. But overall I'm happy with the way I played through the year for my club and with the national team, so I'm excited to have won the award.

I understand you gave the truck that comes with the award to your father?
Yes sir! My mom and dad used to drive me six hours back-and-forth to Dallas for practices and a lot of vehicles got beat up along the way.  My dad's a carpenter and he needs a good truck and, honestly, the one he had was starting to go on him. I was just happy to give a little something back for all they did for me. I think that's important.

Do you see the award as a possible stepping-stone to start a career in Europe?
I don't feel like anything's changed because of the award - it's just icing on the cake. Maybe some people overseas will take notice of me because of it, but hopefully if I get a chance over in Europe it will be because I play consistent soccer week-in and week-out and give everything all the time - not just because of one award.

Is playing in Europe a dream for you?
Europe is definitely a place where I want to go to play. Basically it's because a lot of the leagues there are better than ours here in the States. I mean, MLS is getting better and in a few years it might be just as big as some of the European leagues, but right now, as a competitor, I want to test myself at the highest level. Life is short and I want to go as far as I can.

Which European league most appeals to you?
I think England would be a good fit for me. It's a quick, physical game over there and I think that suits my style. I also think Spain might be a good fit because the focus is on technique and possession there, and that allows players to be creative. Germany or Italy might be good too. I don't want to limit myself.

Tell me a little bit about your experience in Germany this summer, on a personal level.
On a personal level, it was a rollercoaster. I was just thrilled to be on the team, but then I sat out the first game and was wondering if I'd get in. I started the second game against Italy and we earned a draw. Against Ghana, I played the whole game and we were in it to the end and I got to score my goal. I think I showed I was able to play at the top level and was generally pleased with my contribution.

And as a team, how do you rate the overall performance?
We just came up a little short. But that's what the World Cup is about. Look at Argentina in 2002 - they didn't make it out of the first round and nobody thinks they are a bad team. It's a just a tough tournament. Going into our last game we had a chance to reach the second round, but we just came up a little short. We still need to improve, but at the end of the day, it wasn't all bad - I mean, we earned a draw against the world champions

The identity of the US's new coach is not yet known. What qualities do you think the new man should bring to the table?
I just hope the new coach is someone with big goals in mind and a real love for the game. We need someone who will come in and try to make a big difference, not just a guy coming in to collect a pay-check. Whoever it is, he has to be concerned with taking the States to a higher level. Also, I hope I'm a part of his plans (he laughs).

The news of the recent passing of US assistant coach Glenn Myernick, at 51, must have come as a shock to the team. 
A total shock - I mean, he was one of the fittest guys around. He always took great care of himself and would run with the team in training. He actually ate better than a lot of the guys in the team too. It's a big loss for soccer and for everyone who knew him.  He was always open and honest with me as a coach and I'm glad to have learned from him while he was here. My heart really goes out to his family and friends. 

Your rap single 'Don't tread' made some waves in hip-hop circles before the finals in Germany. Are you still recording music? Do you see a connection between soccer and music?
I'm still recording, messing around here and there when I have time. We have seven tracks ready for release right now and I'm hoping to get a mixtape out on the internet or underground on our own. It's something I do for fun really, and if I get to make a few bucks doing it, well that's OK too. 
In terms of a connection, I think the rhythms are the same. Every game has a rhythm, like every song has a rhythm. I also use music to get myself motivated for a game and, for me, the two are definitely connected.