Bruce Arena says Clint Dempsey will be coming off the bench for the USMNT
Clint Dempsey is back from a heart problem that kept him sidelined for six months and he's back with the United States national team too. Bruce Arena named Dempsey to the Americans' roster for a pair of crucial upcoming World Cup qualifiers, completing a stunning return from a health issue that, just four months ago, had people questioning if he would ever play again.
Now Dempsey is coming back, but he won't do so as one of the U.S. stars with the attack built around him, as has been the case for the last several years. The 34-year-old will be coming off the bench, at least for the next year or so.
Clint obviously had some medical problems the last year. He’s been on the road to recovery. He played 90 minutes in his first MLS matches. He’s doing well. He’s a player we’re going to include.
He may have a different role than he’s had previously. We’re gonna let him have the year to really get in the right kind of form that he can have and get back 100 percent. But he’s a player in one of these two matches he can step on the field in the last 15-20 minutes and help us get a goal. What a luxury to have Clint Dempsey.
It will be strange seeing Dempsey on the U.S. bench. After all, he's been one of their stars for the better part of a decade. He started every single match the Americans played at last year's Copa America and hasn't come off the bench in any match -- tournament, qualifier or even friendly -- since the summer of 2015.
Still, Arena's approach makes sense.
Dempsey did miss six months with a very serious issue. It wasn't a sprained ankle, or anything like that. It was his heart. And while he's back playing, and starting, for the Sounders, some caution is not a bad thing.
Beyond that, Dempsey may not be a starter regardless of health. Jozy Altidore and Bobby Wood are both in magnificent form for their clubs, and Christian Pulisic is not just a terrific young talent, he's playing at the highest level of any American player period. That's three attacking spots that are just about locked up, leaving little room for Dempsey. And without getting into how Dempsey can fit in with those three -- stylistically, they're not the easiest fit -- there is also the matter of whether the U.S. can afford to include another primarily attacking player without giving up too much in defense.
There is also the fact that Dempsey is a near perfect bench option. His savvy, willingness to dive in after balls in dangerous scenarios and nose for goal make him a great option to have late in matches when opposing defenses are tired.
So Dempsey is back. It looks like that will be as a substitute, but, as Arena said, "what a luxury" that is.
