Clint Dempsey scores hat trick in first game since return from heart condition in USA vs. Honduras

Back in January, Bruce Arena said he didn’t think he’d have Clint Dempsey for the United States men’s national team’s big World Cup qualifying game against Honduras. But Dempsey fought his way onto the team, and all he did was score a hat trick.

Here’s his first goal, a spectacular effort to put the USMNT up 3-0.

But his day was just beginning. With the USMNT well in control, Dempsey added an exclamation point, finishing off an assist from Christian Pulisic once again to make it 5-0.

And it got even better. Dempsey finished off his hat trick with an amazing free kick.

Dempsey was diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat last fall, causing him to miss the USMNT’s two October qualifiers. But he got treatment, was cleared, and played 90 minutes three times for the Seattle Sounders to prove his fitness for this match. Arena will be happy he picked Dempsey for this game.