Clint Dempsey was back in the No. 8 jersey wearing the captain's armband on Sunday as the U.S.
National Team faced Turkey in the second of three matches in the Send-Off Series at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey.
The Sounders FC forward celebrated his return with a goal in the 52nd minute and the U.S. coasted to a 2-1 win. However, it was in a much different fashion than in the first match, which ended with a 2-0 U.S. victory over Azerbaijan.
Sounders FC defender DeAndre Yedlin played the final 26 minutes of the match at right back for his fourth cap with Team USA, totaling 91 minutes in his first year with the National Team.
The U.S. controlled much of the action against the 38th-ranked team in the world and was rewarded with a first-half goal.
In the 26th minute, Fabian Johsnon got the U.S. on the board with his first international goal, making an attacking run from his right back position. He played to Michael Bradley in the hole between Turkey's midfield and defense, then continued his run in behind the defense to receive a lofted pass from Bradley in the box, then slotted a left-footed shot inside the far post for a 1-0 lead.
That's the way the match would remain until early in the second half when Dempsey took advantage of a misplayed ball by the Turkish defense for a simple tap-in.
Bradley again got things started, this time taking control in the midfield and pressing into the attacking third. He played Brad Davis to his left, who was able to take advantage of a 2v1 along with Timmy Chandler. Davis led Chandler into the left corner for a cross to the edge of the six-yard box, but the Turkish defender missed on his clearance attempt and the ball spilled to Dempsey alone at the post, and he tapped it in for his first International goal of the year and a 2-0 lead.
Yedlin came on in the 64th minute and helped close out the match, which saw Turkey score on a 90th minute penalty.
As the U.S. builds towards the World Cup in Brazil later this month, they will play one more match in the Send-Off Series on Saturday against Nigeria at EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Florida.
The U.S. opens Group G action in the World Cup against Ghana on June 16 before facing Portugal on June 22, then concluding the Group Stage against Germany on June 26.
