On Wednesday, Sounders forward Clint Dempsey was named the 2017 MLS Comeback Player of the Year. In the grand scheme of things, this award doesn’t mean much beyond signifying how far he’s come in the past 15 months.
Frankly, the only piece of hardware that will make Dempsey’s comeback feel complete is the Philip F. Anschutz Trophy, given to the MLS Cup winner.
“Yes, it’s a good award, and it’s a personal award and he went through a personal challenge that none of us could imagine, but he will tell you that his reward, his best reward, is helping this team win a championship,” Head Coach Brian Schmetzer told media after training on Wednesday. “The individual awards are important, it matters. But he wants this team to win a championship.”
Dempsey, 34, earned the award after a stellar 2017 MLS campaign on the heels of an irregular heartbeat that sidelined him indefinitely in August 2016. After two heart procedures, Dempsey went on to record a team-high 12 goals and five assists in 29 MLS matches. He’s also scored twice in the 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs.
“It feels great to get the comeback award after two heart procedures,” Dempsey said. “Obviously, I have to give credit to the team for having a good year – the coaching staff, the trainers. I’d like to thank the doctors for their help and the Sounders organization for standing by me during this tough time. [I especially thank] my family for the support. It feels good.”
After one of the most productive careers for both club and country in American soccer history, Dempsey’s soccer future was in doubt a year ago. The former Fulham star was sidelined for the Sounders entire postseason run – and perched above the team bench, bundled in the frigid wintry weather – to watch his teammates win the club’s first MLS Cup last December.
He was cleared for preseason, though, and cautiously made his return to action. A few months into the season, Dempsey, who is currently tied with Landon Donovan for the most goals in United States national team history, fully regained form.
“The turning point for me was May or June,” Dempsey recalls. “That’s when I really started to feel good and my numbers show that.”
By season’s end and as the club looks to defend its title in the MLS Cup Playoffs, it’s difficult to imagine the Rave Green without Dempsey. He masterfully finds open spaces to create chances for himself and his teammates, which was evident in Dempsey’s brace in Leg 2 of the Western Conference Semifinals on November 2. Most of all, he’s still having fun.
“I am enjoying this year and I am making the most of it,” Dempsey said with a smile. “As long as I believe I am making a difference on the field I want to keep going.”
