Clint Dempsey dipped back into the midfield like a warm ice cream spoon cutting through a pint of Rocky Road. It was early in the second half of Seattle’s penultimate preseason matchup against Atlanta United FC on Wednesday, and Dempsey had come on to continue his fitness ramp-up for the season. And he was wheeling and dealing.
At one point, Dempsey cut back into the build to find possession - he still loves to drop deep to find the ball - and carved out a picture perfect 30-yard diagonal to his runner. The pass was visionary, opening up an entire third of the field and shifting the focus of attack.