Most Seattle Sounders fans would probably agree that Clint Dempsey’s decision to return to MLS worked out pretty well. When healthy and available, he’s produced at a solid clip and the team experienced some of its best seasons while he was here. He’s also fresh off helping lead the Sounders to their second straight MLS Cup final, scoring three goals during this postseason so far.
Outside Seattle, you’ll probably find some disagreement. Despite actually scoring at a better clip for the United States men’s national team in the years after the move, some have argued that he’d have been better off remaining overseas.
Dempsey, though, has apparently never second-guessed the decision.
“My wife didn’t want me to come back because she knew what I wanted to accomplish and that I wanted to play in Champions League,” Dempsey told Steve Zakuani (video above). “But for me, it was deeper than that. It wasn’t necessarily all about myself. It was being closer to home, being closer to family.”
Dempsey mentioned that he had a grandfather pass away in 2010 and suggests it was hard being on the other side of the world.
“I still feel good about the decision I made,” he continued. “If I went back, I wouldn’t change a thing.”
Zakuani also pointed out that Dempsey seems to be having a bit more fun this year.
“You know what it’s like when you get the game taken away from you and you get back out there and want to make an impact,” Dempsey said, pointing out Zakuani’s own injury. “For periods of time not knowing if you’d make it back. You just want to make the most of it. You’re always going to stay true to why you fell in love with the game, but there’s that little bit extra of knowing that it could have been taken away and at least you have a little more time.
“I kinda look like it as making up for lost time, but that’s always been my mentality. Hopefully there’s more time left and there’s more to be accomplished. I’m going to try my best to the end, that’s for sure.”