Trying to understand Clint Dempsey’s sudden retirement

TUKWILA, Wash. — The thing that made Clint Dempsey such an interesting player to watch was his unpredictability. He was the rare player unafraid to be unconventional at just about any moment, hitting a rabona here, dropping a no-look pass there, or trying to chip a goalkeeper from 40 yards just because he felt like it.

In that way, his Wednesday retirement made sense. Sure, he’d clearly lost his starting spot and the Sounders were getting along just fine without him, but I don’t think many people expected the hyper-competitive Texan to simply retire with nearly a third of the season — and potentially another chance at MLS Cup glory — remaining.

Prior to the announcement, the team had been…