Seattle Sounders forward Clint Dempsey will start for the United States national team on Friday (7:30 p.m. PT; FS1) against Honduras in the third round of the Hexagonal in CONCACAF 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifying.
Fellow Sounders attacker Jordan Morris is with the U.S. but is not available on Friday. He has been battling an ankle injury he suffered in Seattle’s 3-1 win over the New York Red Bulls last Sunday.
Dempsey missed six months while recovering from an irregular heartbeat and has not played for the U.S. since last June in Copa America. He has steadily been increasing his sharpness and has two goals in Seattle’s first three matches to start the 2017 MLS regular season.
Dempsey has 130 caps for the U.S., which is fourth all time and the most among active players. He is also the second all-time leading goalscorer with 52 tallies.