Sounders’ Clint Dempsey (USA), Nelson Valdez (Paraguay) called up to national teams
May 21, 2016, 2:19 PM | Updated: 3:27 pm
Clint Dempsey has been called up by the United States national team for the Copa America Centenario. (AP)
(AP)
Seattle Sounders forwards Clint Dempsey and Nelson Valdez have been officially called up to their respective national teams, the USA and Paraguay, for this summer’s Copa America Centenario. Roman Torres, still recovering from his knee injury last season, was again called up by Panama as “honorary captain.”
Related: Three things to watch in Saturday’s Sounders-Rapids match
US Soccer released Jurgen Klinnsmann’s 23-man roster today, excluding Sounders captain Brad Evans and rookie forward Jordan Morris, who had both been on the 40-man roster that was announced earlier this month.
While it’s surely a bummer for Evans and Morris, the Sounders could greatly benefit from having both their captain and leading goal scorer for the stretch of matches that take place during the tournament.
Valdez is out for Saturday’s Sounders clash with the Colorado Rapids at CenturyLink Field, set for 7 p.m. on KIRO Radio 97.3 FM. His status for the Copa America is unknown, but Sounders coach Sigi Schmid indicated to reporters on Friday that Valdez is close to full health and could still join up with Paraguay next week.
