Two days after appearing in an English Premier League game with three other Americans, midfielder Clint Dempsey worked out with the U.S. national team Monday afternoon.
He hopes the jet lag will wear off before the U.S. meets Mexico in a friendly Wednesday night.
“This morning, I woke up at 6 o’clock,” Dempsey said after practice at Grand Canyon University. “Normally I don’t do that. I’m not quite there yet, but it’s getting better.”
On Saturday, Dempsey was one of four Americans on the field when Fulham beat Newcastle 2-1 in the Premier League. Dempsey, who came on in the 78th minute, joined defender Carlos Bocanegra and forward Brian McBride while defender Oguchi Onyewu played for Newcastle.
“It’s kind of cool just to think about,” Dempsey said. “It’s funny to know somebody on the other team and joke around with him during the game. It’s good to see more Americans making the move over there, and hopefully there’ll be more to come.”
Dempsey joined Fulham on Jan. 10 for a transfer fee that could reach $4 million.
Dempsey said he’s enjoyed his brief time in England and is looking forward to earning a start. This week, though, he is concentrating on beating Mexico, the United States’ fiercest rival.
The United States has dominated the rivalry recently, going 7-2-1 against Mexico since 2000. The Americans are 6-0-1 on home soil in that stretch, outscoring Mexico 11-0 in those games.
Dempsey scored the only goal by an American at last year’s World Cup and was voted U.S. player of the year.
The 2004 MLS rookie of the year with New England, Dempsey scored 25 goals in 71 games in his three seasons with the Revolution. He is one of four U.S. team members who have returned from England to join the squad this week.
