Seattle Sounders forward Clint Dempsey returns to full health
TUKWILA, Washington – Clint Dempsey is a striker, so he knows he is often judged simply by whether he puts the ball in the net or not.
The latter happened a couple of times Sunday in a 1-1 draw at Sporting Kansas City. One shot was saved. One was sent just wide. And after returning to training Tuesday, Dempsey accepted that as part of soccer.
“It comes with the game,” he said. “Sometimes you score, sometimes you don’t. I’ve played five games since I’ve come back from injury, been able to contribute to four goals: one goal, three assists. So I’m happy with my play. It feels good to get into those spots again. … I didn’t really feel I had the legs to make that kind of run in the San Jose game and the Vancouver game.”
After appearing in 26 games last season, Dempsey has been in and out of the lineup this year. His absences have come from U.S. national team duty, injury, and suspension after tearing a referee’s notebook in the U.S. Open Cup. Amid all that, he has started 17 of Seattle’s 31 games.
“It’s seems like I’m always going away, especially in the summertime with the national team,” he said. “Yes, this year I’ve had more injuries. The year before I didn’t have any injuries, and this year I’ve had two or three hamstrings, so that’s been frustrating, especially the last one. It seems like it’s taken me a while to get back at full fitness. But like I said, I’ve played in 17 games this year; I’ve contributed eight goals and nine assists. So I’ve contributed a goal a game.”
When available and producing, Dempsey is a difference maker. Seattle is 11-3-3 when Dempsey starts, 9-2 when he has a goal or an assist.
By the time the Sounders next take the pitch it will have been almost exactly a month since Dempsey’s last goal, Sept. 5 against Toronto. He attributes part of that to lingering effects of the hamstring injuries. But he seemed encouraged that he is getting back closer to full health.
“I’ve been trying to get back to 100 percent,” he said. “Hopefully, I’m getting closer to that and I’ll be ready for the game. … I’m feeling better. Last game I was able to make those runs to get into the box. A few weeks before I wasn’t able to make it.”
Notes
Coach Sigi Schmid said the Sounders are as close to full health as they have been all season. Everyone is expected available except central defender Roman Torres who is out for the season after knee surgery. … GM Garth Lagerwey and Schmid expressed satisfaction with the inaugural Sounders 2 USL season, which ended Friday with playoff elimination at Colorado Springs.