MLS Colorado Rapids

Clint Dempsey Set for First MLS Appearance at Dick's Sporting Goods Park

Published on September 30, 2014 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Colorado Rapids News Release


A star-studded Seattle Sounders side strolls into Commerce City this Sunday, with the US Open Cup already sparkling in the trophy cabinet but with their main focus being a first MLS Cup.

When Clint Dempsey steps onto the field at Dick's Sporting Goods Park this weekend, it will be his first MLS appearance at the stadium, and his first since featuring for the US national team in their 1-0 win over Costa Rica on March 22, 2013, in what has since become known as the Snow Clasico.

Dempsey returned to MLS in August of 2013, after six years playing in the English Premier League for Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur. He had previously spent three seasons with New England Revolution, emerging from the 2004 MLS Superdraft.

The US international may not have played against the Rapids in Commerce City, but he has certainly made his mark against Pablo Mastroeni's men this season, netting twice in the 4-1 win at CenturyLink Field back in April, before scoring the decisive goal in a 1-0 home victory at the end of August.

He has scored 13 goals in 22 appearances for Sigi Schmid's side this season, sitting behind Obafemi Martins (15) on the Sounders' scoring chart for 2014. He has also contributed eight assists.

Dempsey was sidelined with injury the last time the two teams met at Dick's Sporting Goods Park, on October 5, 2013. A goal after just 15 seconds from Deshorn Brown set the Rapids on the way to a resounding 5-1 win.

A Sounders side on a mission will report for duty this Sunday, knowing that the club's owners and huge fanbase demand a MLS Cup. The heavy loss in Colorado a year ago was the first of four successive defeats, which proved to be the pin that burst the Sounders' bubble. From having an eye on both the Supporters Shield and MLS Cup heading to Commerce City, the ambitious team finished fourth in the standings, and went out of the playoffs at the Western Conference semifinals stage, having beaten the Rapids 2-0 in the knockout round.

Twelve months on and the Sounders may have slipped to second in the standings by the team kick-off comes around, as the LA Galaxy - level with the Sounders on 57 points - face Toronto FC 24 hours earlier. The Rapids would love for history to repeat itself, a year to the day that they silenced the Sounders. Dempsey and Co., though, will not want to go quietly this time around.

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