The last time Seattle Sounders forward Clint Dempsey played in playoff series was the 2015 Western Conference Semifinals round between the Sounders and FC Dallas.  FC Dallas advanced to the Western Conference Finals with a 4-2 win on penalties after a 3-3 aggregate.

Dempsey missed the final third of last season and the entire Sounders 2016 MLS  Cup winning run due to an irregular heart. The mercurial forward missed Sundays Leg1 0-0 draw in Vancouver due to a red card suspension in the Colorado game, one can see why Dempsey  is downright restless to take part in Thursday’s  ( 7:30 p.m.) winner take all game at CenturyLink Field

 

 

 

Without Dempsey, the Sounders managed just shot on goal in the goalless draw against the Whitecaps.  The Sounders were also without Jordan Morris and Victor Rodriguez. Osvaldo Alonso and Gustav Svensson entered the game as second-half subs. While Morris and Rodriguez will not participate in Thursday’s game, the addition of Dempsey, Alonso and Svensson should tip the game the Sounders way.

Dempsey scored a goal in Seattle’s 3-0 regular season win at CenturyLink Field on September 27th. Having Dempsey in the line up gives the Sounders a dynamic attack that makes it difficult to key on just one guy according to head coach Brian Schmetzer

“Clint makes us a more effective team, a more dangerous team,” said  Brian Schmetzer. “Instead of just keying on [Nicolás Lodeiro] or [Will] Bruin, now they have to deal with a third guy in the mix, who’s goal-dangerous.