As they welcome FC Dallas to Gillette Stadium, the New England Revolution will be boosted Wednesday night by the return of midfielder Clint Dempsey, who will make his first appearance in the home colors since returning from World Cup duty. His side certainly needs him, as it attempts to win for the first time since May 13.
Dempsey last suited up for the Revolution on May 6, a day on which he helped his team to a resounding 4-0 win against the Los Angeles Galaxy. In his absence, Steve Nicol's side has gone 1-2-5, scoring just nine goals in the process. It is clear the Texan will be welcomed back by a squad that hopes he can translate the form he showed in the World Cup into MLS play.
"(Clint) brings us an aerial threat, a creative threat and a finishing threat," said Revs assistant coach Paul Mariner, who took charge of Tuesday's light training session in Nicol's absence. "He is one of the best players I have seen to get in the six-yard box or playing up front. He is always getting on the end of stuff and him being back is just like getting a player through a transfer."
Dempsey is a certain starter against Dallas, though the Revs' other World Cup attendee, defender Avery John, will likely be restricted to a place on the bench, as he does not report back to the club until Wednesday. Dempsey is likely to play in attack in support of Taylor Twellman, who badly needs help up top. Although the disappointment of being eliminated from the World Cup at the group stage remains for Dempsey, he is well aware of the need to help the side to which he returns pick up some wins after four consecutive ties.
"Unfortunately we didn't advance but all you can do is take the positives from it and look for the next one and that is to have a league to come back to and play for," said Dempsey. "I'm just looking forward to being back with the Revs and getting some games. It is important to start winning games because the main objective right now is to get to MLS Cup."
Although the Revolution currently sit in fourth spot in the Eastern Conference, which would be good enough for a playoff spot come the end of the season, Dempsey and his teammates realize the importance of climbing the regular season table and, with the World Cup behind him, his focus is now firmly on helping to do just that.
"The season is almost halfway done and it is now or never. We have to start getting points and results and my focus is on how we can do that," he said. "I think it is good to shift focus sometimes because it's a new thing to look forward to and I like having something to work towards. That's how I was able to switch mentally."
Dempsey went through a range of emotions in Germany. Widely tipped to make Bruce Arena's starting lineup against the Czech Republic, the 23-year-old watched from the bench as Tomas Rosicky and company put his side to the sword. Five days later, the call did come against Italy and Dempsey turned in an efficient 62-minute display that was enough to earn him another start, against Ghana, in which he experienced the joy of scoring his first World Cup goal and the despair of his side being eliminated.
Now, after such a rollercoaster of emotions, he is back in MLS. With all that he has been through, is there a danger there will be a sense of anticlimax upon his return to action for his club side? Not so, believes Mariner, who expects Dempsey to return better than ever.
"He's had a sensational experience and he is extremely focused on what he needs to do and I'm sure he will carry that through with us. He knows what we have been doing as far as results are concerned. We are happy he is back and he is thrilled to be back in the fold," said Mariner.
The one-time England international has the belief that the Revolution's star will only continue to improve as a player, one that Dempsey himself shares as he looks to develop the leadership side of his game.
"I think I have established myself as a player now but you can't rely on that. You have to keep working hard. I am the hardest critic of myself and am never satisfied and want to push the envelope," Dempsey said. "My work ethic and hard work is starting to pay off, so why stop now? You have to continue and try and take the game as far as you can and be a player that everybody looks to, to carry a team."
Dempsey's return could not come against a much tougher opponent, as FC Dallas look to complete a season sweep of New England, following their 4-0 demolition of the Revs in Texas on May 20. In that game, the Hoops struck for all of their goals in the opening 19 minutes and Mariner is well aware of the danger Colin Clarke's side will pose on Wednesday night.
"They are a high-powered outfit. Colin has had the luxury of being able to pick from a fully-fit squad for the whole season and they have put some very good results together," Mariner said. "They have got one of the best finishers in [Carlos] Ruiz in the league, and we are conscious that they are well-organized and powerful and, if you give them chances, they'll bury you."
After struggling badly early in Dempsey's absence, recent games have seen the Revolution begin to collect points on a more regular basis. Injuries still blight the squad but the sight of Daniel Hernandez in cleats on Tuesday was encouraging, as he and several of the side's crocked stars edge towards fitness.
Their return, as well as that of Dempsey, gives increased reason for optimism amongst a Revs squad which will be looking to pick up maximum points from its two home games this week. Whatever happens, believes Mariner, no task is too much for the men in red, white and blue.
"We can't speak highly enough of the squad. The players have done a fantastic job for us," he said. "We said at the start of the season that they would all be called upon at some point and they have risen to the occasion."
Andrew Hush is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
