Clint Dempsey wants to factor in Jurgen Klinsmann’s plans for the Copa America Centenario set to played on U.S. soil in 2016.
Dempsey hasn’t spoken a ton about his future plans or hopes to be part of the United States team. The 31-year-old striker scored a pair of goals for the Yanks at the World Cup this summer, including the opening minute stunner against Ghana.
[ RELATED: Clint Dempsey wants US to push for a trophy at Copa America 2016 ]
Speaking ahead of the MLS All-Star Game in Portland, the Seattle Sounders attacker was asked about his USMNT future, as well as his plans for club play after the 2014 MLS season. He signed a four-year contract with Seattle in 2013.
From Goal.com:“For me, I just hope that I’m part of the plans and I definitely want to push for Copa America for sure because it’s a tournament I’ve never had an opportunity to play in,” Dempsey continued.
“I’ve always watched those games. Most of the time it’s been in South America but, with it being on American soil in 2016, playing in a competition like that would be pretty awesome.
“Hopefully that’s in the cards for me, but it’s not my decision. I have to work hard and make sure I’m playing well to even get called in and I have to see if I’ll even be a part of the plans.
What is Klinsmann thinking in terms of the roster for 2016? Much of Dempsey’s inclusion will have to do with his skill set and speed over the next two years, but with two major tournaments in 2016 -- one a U-23 tournament, the Summer Olympics -- the player pool will be wide and deep.Dempsey was loaned to Fulham last winter, where the American did not have a particularly productive time. He did not rule out making a similar move once this MLS season is complete:
“I’m not saying definitely no, and not saying definitely yes,” the American attacker told Goal ahead of starring for an MLS All-Star team in a friendly against Bayern Munich this week.
“The way the contract was structured, I was able to make one loan move during the time that I was here and I’ve already used that up, so it’s one of those situations.”
Certainly there would be demand for Dempsey in Europe, though perhaps not in the Premier League after last winter. But at what point would the experience move from ‘keeping him fresh’ to unnecessarily wearing away at the trentagenarian’s energy.