United States' Clint Dempsey celebrates after scoring the opening goal duringthe Group G World Cup match against Ghana at the Arena das Dunas in Natal,Brazil, yesterday. The USA won 2-1. (PHOTO: AP)
June 17, 2014
Dempsey should be able to play with broken nose
SAO PAULO, Brazil (AP) — The US 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.
US team spokesman Michael Kammarman said yesterday it had not been determined whether Dempsey would need to play with a mask.
Forward Jozy Altidore and defender Matt Besler went for scans yesterday after coming out of the game with hamstring problems. Altidore injured his left leg during the first half, and Besler came out at half-time after feeling soreness in his right leg.
