United States men’s national team head coach Bruce Arena told ESPN analyst Taylor Twellman prior to Sunday's friendly versus Serbia that Seattle Sounders forward Clint Dempsey will not be a part of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifying matches in March against Honduras and Panama.
“Absolutely not,” Arena said via Twellman of the possibility of Dempsey playing in March. “He needs to take his health first and foremost and get games under his belt with Seattle. They’ll address it in the summer. But for those March qualifiers, there will be no Clint Dempsey.”
Dempsey, 33, is the U.S.’ second all-time leading goalscorer, but has been sidelined since late last August due to an irregular heartbeat. He has, however, been in full training during the Sounders’ preseason. Sounders General Manager and President of Soccer Garth Lagerwey said last week that Dempsey is good to play barring some unforeseen circumstances.
Arena had originally wanted to call in Dempsey to January camp, but ultimately did not. Arena also previously stated his desire to have Dempsey compete in March qualifiers. Dempsey has 51 goals in 130 caps.
