Bruce Arena is preparing for a pair of critical World Cup qualifiers this month uncertain about the availabilities of Seattle Sounders forward Clint Dempsey, English Premier League defender Geoff Cameron and Colorado Rapids goalkeeper Tim Howard.
Arena spoke Monday with Cameron, who told him he was a bit sore after playing a full match for Stoke City FC on Saturday for the first time since injuring a knee in October. While Arena is thrilled Dempsey has returned to the field for Seattle after dealing with an irregular heartbeat, the U.S. coach will be “very cautious” in determining Dempsey’s national team status before the next qualifier: March 24 against Honduras at the San Jose Earthquakes’ Avaya Stadium.