Clint Dempsey cleared to practice, no timetable set for return to game action

Clint Dempsey has sat out for the last three weeks, but he returned to Seattle Sounders training on Wednesday. Dempsey’s season was put on pause due to a medical evaluation for an irregular heartbeat, and Sounders general manager Garth Lagerwey says Dempsey had a procedure to help with that. However, it’s unclear when Dempsey will be able to play again.

“I will add that we are cautiously optimistic that he could return to play this season,” Lagerwey said. “So, to be clear, he’s been cleared to return to training, to exercise, but he has not been medically cleared to play yet. We don’t have a timetable for that and we won’t because we’re going to prioritize his health. When Clint feels better and the doctors feel that it’s safe, then we will consider his return to playing.”

Dempsey has had a down year as the Sounders have struggled, but still has eight goals and was coming into form before he had to be sidelined due to his heart condition. Seattle is currently six points out of a playoff spot with two games in hand on the teams in 5-7 places. The USMNT has two upcoming friendlies in October, and returns to competitive action on Nov. 11.

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