AARHUS, Denmark – The US national team will be without their captain for this week’s European friendlies after Clint Dempsey suffered a hamstring injury Monday morning in a training session in Zurich.
But head coach Jurgen Klinsmann said the absence of the Seattle Sounders forward opens up a chance for one of the team's youngsters to step in and impress starting Wednesday against Denmark (3 pm ET; ESPN) and in next Tuesday’s game against Switzerland (12 pm ET; Fox Sports 1).
“We don’t want to expect too much too early from younger players, and we are always there to help them. But at the same time, we have always the hope some break through stronger and start to take more responsibility here and in their club teams,” Klinsmann told reporters in Denmark ahead of Wednesday's game. “When one player is not available, that’s the chance for another player coming in, and that’s also exciting.”
Among the players in camp that Klinsmann might expect to step up in Dempsey's absence are AZ Alkmaar's Aron Johannsson, who has struggled with injuries and has not appeared for the US since the opening match at the World Cup, and Utrecht's 19-year-old, twice-capped forward Rubio Rubin. Depending on where Klinsmann chooses to play Gyasi Zardes, either out wide or up top, the LA Galaxy attacker could also be one to watch.
Klinsmann, however, did note that Dempsey's absence will be felt and be detrimental to the squad's preparations for this summer's Gold Cup.
“It’s a bummer for us because we wanted to see Jozy [Altidore] and Clint up front, getting more time together,” Klinsmann said. “We were excited for them to combine again.”
There are two other forwards on the roster for the team's pair of European dates: AZ forward Aron Johannsson, who is looking to reclaim a place in the squad after some injury setbacks of his own, and 19-year-old FC Utrecht man Rubio Rubin.
A team spokesperson confirmed that Dempsey was flown out of Zurich for immediate treatment and recovery back in Seattle. Klinsmann noted that although the injury didn’t seem too serious, he didn’t want to risk Dempsey’s performance in future matches, especially with the Sounders.
“We’re not in the middle of a World Cup, where you really play hour by hour,” he said. “So we agreed to say, ‘Come on Clint, fly back now, get treatment so you’re ready to go again soon.’”
Despite having only been captain of the squad since March 2013, his role in the national team has been pronounced over the years – his goal against Ghana after 30 seconds in the 2014 FIFA World Cup was the fifth-quickest in World Cup history, and marked the first time a US player has scored in three World Cup tournaments.
The team has yet to confirm who will take the captain’s armband tomorrow in Dempsey’s stead.
