Clint Dempsey should be OK to play vs. Portugal with broken nose

Clint Dempsey should be OK to play vs. Portugal with broken nose

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 7:56 p.m. ET

SAO PAULO -- The U.S. Soccer Federation says captain Clint Dempsey should be able to play in Sunday's World Cup game against Portugal despite a broken nose.

Dempsey scored 30 seconds into Monday's 2-1 win over Ghana, then was bloodied by a shin to the face from defender John Boye when they battled for a header in the 33rd minute.

U.S. team spokesman Michael Kammarman said Tuesday it had not been determined whether Dempsey would need to play with a mask.

Forward Jozy Altidore and defender Matt Besler went for scans Tuesday after coming out of the game with hamstring problems. Altidore injured his left leg during the first half, and Besler came out at halftime after feeling soreness in his right leg.

ADVERTISEMENT
share