On Friday, the Seattle Sounders released a distressing statement concerning Sounders and USMNT forward Clint Dempsey. The 33-year-old will be undergoing medical evaluations for an irregular heartbeat over the coming days, missing Seattle’s match against Portland on Sunday and the United States’ September World Cup qualifiers against Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Trinidad and Tobago.
A U.S. Soccer spokesperson confirmed that Dempsey will not be called into the national team for those matches.
Wishing @clint_dempsey a speedy recovery. https://t.co/D3SLT8hupw
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 26, 2016
With regards to Dempsey’s next steps, the Sounders' statement read: “As the medical process unfolds and information is gathered internally, no other details are being made publicly available at this time.”
Dempsey has been in supreme form for the Sounders of late, scoring six goals in his last six games. He remains as vital as ever for the United States’ attack, the Texan scored three goals and registered three assists at the Copa America Centenario.
USMNT fans will be unfortunately reminded of Eddie Johnson’s premature retirement at the age of 31 due to a heart ailment known as athletic heart syndrome.
“All our thoughts go out to him and his health,” said Sounders coach Brian Schmetzer. “He’s got a family. His health is No. 1.”
Dempsey is a father of four.
Happy Fathers Day from my crew. pic.twitter.com/3GWLmGY6Tj
— Clint Dempsey (@clint_dempsey) June 16, 2014
(H/T: ESPN FC)
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