Clint Dempsey won’t be leading a new-look U.S. men’s national soccer team on the field in Europe this month.
Demspsey suffered a hamstring strain Monday during the United States’ European training camp. Dempsey’s hamstring injury will sideline him for two to three weeks and prevent him from playing in upcoming exhibition games against Denmark and Switzerland, according to U.S. Soccer.
Dempsey has returned to his club, the Seattle Sounders, for further evaluation. He likely will miss Seattle’s next two games but he could return in time to face rival Los Angeles Galaxy on April 12.
U.S. Soccer head coach Jurgen Klinsmann has elected not to replace Dempsey on the roster for the March 25 game at Denmark. Klinsmann could call up another player for the March 31 game at Switzerland.
Dempsey currently is Team USA’s captain, most experienced player and second all-time leading goal-scorer. Dempsey started all four games for the United States at the 2014 FIFA World Cup and has scored an impressive 40 goals in 112 games in his international career.
Dempsey will recover from the hamstring blow, but the United States could suffer in his absence. Klinsmann selected a relatively young and inexperienced squad for the two road games against formidable opponents. Dempsey was supposed to set the tone for the squad, but it now must do so without its leading goal threat.
Rubio Rubin and Julian Green now are leading candidates to replace Dempsey in the starting lineup against Denmark and Switzerland.
Thumbnail photo via Winslow Townson/USA TODAY Sports Images
