Seattle Sounders forward Clint Dempsey returned to the lineup in a preseason friendly against the Portland Timbers in Tucson, Ariz., on Saturday for the first time since late August while recovering from an irregular heartbeat.
Dempsey started as a withdrawn forward in head coach Brian Schmetzer’s 4-2-3-1 formation and impressed in his first game action in over five months. He went 30 minutes and flashed bits and pieces of his usual self.
While Dempsey wasn’t entirely back to full strength, it was an encouraging sign to see him competing again.
“His recovery is going as scheduled,” Schmetzer said.