SAN JOSE — In the months leading to a World Cup qualifier that the United States was desperate to win, Clint Dempsey wasn’t sure if he would ever play soccer again.
Never mind earning an invitation to training camp, being asked by Bruce Arena 48 hours before kickoff whether he would be able to start, scoring three goals in 22 minutes, offering a military salute to an appreciative audience, accepting Jozy Altidore’s offer to take a free kick to complete the hat trick, closing within two goals of the program’s career record and inspiring a 6-0 romp over Honduras on Friday.