Clint Dempsey named U.S. captain for World Cup qualifiers

The Tottenham midfielder will lead his team out for the crucial Hexagonal matches in Denver and Mexico City.


Sport News Flash 2013  -  Tottenham midfielder Clint Dempsey has been named U.S. captain for the team's World Cup qualifiers against Costa Rica and Mexico.

“Clint is one of our most experienced players and ready to assume a more vocal leadership role,” head coach Jurgen Klinsmann told the U.S. Soccer website. “He has been huge for us in World Cup Qualifying so far and is already one of our key leaders. We know he will do a great job for these two important games.”

With normal captain Carlos Bocanegra off the roster due to lack of playing time with Racing Santander, Tim Howard injured, and Landon Donovan on sabbatical, there was a question as to who would wear the armband.

Michael Bradley and Jermaine Jones were mooted as possible options, but Klinsmann has opted for Dempsey, who has worn the armband for the USA once - during the second half of a 0-0 draw against Colombia in October 2010.

Dempsey has 92 career caps, and leads all U.S. scorers with six goals in this World Cup Qualifying cycle.