Clint Dempsey’s 2016 season has come to an end.
The Seattle Sounders announced on Tuesday that Dempsey will not return this season after being diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat last month. The forward last played on August 25 and was cleared to return to practice on Sept. 14. However, Dempsey missed training last week , prompting to Tuesday’s announcement that he would be shut down for the rest of the season.
In addition to missing time on the club level, Dempsey will almost certainly miss a series of World Cup qualifiers with the U.S. Men’s National Team, including November’s Hexagonal-opening clash with Mexico.
Since Dempsey’s initial departure, the Sounders have gone 2-1-1 and are just three points out of a playoff position with two games in hand. The Sounders return to action on Wednesday against the Chicago Fire.