For one reason or another, Seattle Sounders forwards Clint Dempsey and Jordan Morris have never overlapped at a United States national team camp — until now.
Morris and Dempsey join Toronto FC’s Jozy Altidore and German club Hamburg’s Bobby Wood as the forward crop at head coach Bruce Arena’s disposal ahead of two crucial upcoming CONCACAF 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifying matches. The U.S. trained this past week in Colorado before flying to Salt Lake City on Thursday for their pre-WCQ friendly against Venezuela at Rio Tinto on Saturday.
“It’s always an honor to come in [to U.S. camp],” Morris said. “Everyone’s on the same page looking forward to this weekend and then the two qualifiers. It’s good to get out here and try and get used to the altitude.”
Morris reaffirmed that his ankle, which has troubled him off and on since injuring it against the New York Red Bulls in March, is feeling good and is working hard to earn minutes. It won’t be easy given the caliber of his attacking teammates, but Morris, who scored his second international goal against Jamaica in February, is embracing the opportunity to get better.
“For me especially, to learn from those three guys is great,” Morris said. “It’s great to get in with other good players and continue to build that chemistry. If I get some time on the field, I’m going to try and make an impact.”
Dempsey has 56 international goals, one behind Landon Donovan for the U.S.’ all-time goalscoring record. Dempsey struck four times in the last two qualifying matches, including a hat trick against Honduras, but is trying not to think about it too much.
“It would be great to break any record, but most importantly, it would be even better to qualify for the World Cup,” said Dempsey. “It’s something you can reflect on after your career [ends], but while you’re playing, you just try to enjoy it and have fun and make the most of it.”
Added Morris: “It’s been great over the last couple years with Seattle getting to work with him and learn from him, he’s one of the best U.S. soccer players of all time. I hope he breaks that record very soon.”
The U.S. will host Trinidad and Tobago on Matchday 5 of the Hexagonal on June 8 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colo., before taking on Mexico at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on June 11.
