STANFORD, California (AP) - U.S. captain Clint Dempsey’s sore left groin has improved and coach Jurgen Klinsmann plans to start him in the Americans’ second World Cup warmup match this weekend against Turkey.
The 23 players arrived for their final workout at Stanford on Thursday, a quick session in the pool, before leaving the Bay Area. Klinsmann says Dempsey did “a lot of work yesterday” but the forward didn’t make any sudden sideways moves or runs during the training to avoid re-aggravating the groin.
Klinsmann says “he’s all good” and will be at full speed in training Friday. Dempsey withdrew shortly before kickoff of Tuesday’s 2-0 friendly win over Azerbaijan at Candlestick Park.
The Americans were to head east later in the day ahead of Sunday’s game against Turkey at Harrison, New Jersey.
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