Last year as the Copa America Centenario was being played, I wrote a discussion piece asking if it was time to reduce Clint Dempsey’s USMNT role. This was after the team’s opening match loss to Colombia. As Deuce does, he responded with several clutch goals that helped the team advance to the semifinals of that tournament. It always seems like Clint Dempsey thrives on people doubting him and questioning his spot on the national team.
But, the question still exists and will until he calls it quits on his USMNT time, whenever that may be. In September 2016 an unexpected and scary variable entered the equation.