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Sounders’ Clint Dempsey wins MLS Comeback Player of the Year Award

The Seattle Sounders’ Clint Dempsey smiles as he kicks a ball into the stands after scoring the second of his two goals against the Vancouver Whitecaps during the second half of the second leg of an MLS soccer Western Conference semifinal, Thursday, Nov. 2, 2017, in Seattle. The Sounders won 2-0. (Elaine Thompson / Associated Press)
By Tim Booth Associated Press

TUKWILA, Wash. – Seattle Sounders forward Clint Dempsey has been named the MLS Comeback Player of the Year after a heart condition put his career in jeopardy.

Dempsey was the choice after scoring 12 goals in the regular season and leading Seattle to a second-place finish in the MLS Western Conference in the regular season. The Sounders will face Houston in the Western Conference finals beginning next week.

Federico Higuain of Columbus and Erick Torres of Houston were the other finalists.

Dempsey’s career was sidetracked a year ago by an irregular heartbeat that forced him to the sideline during Seattle’s run to its first MLS Cup title. Dempsey had two procedures to help correct the condition.