Sounders lose the Deuce

Clint Dempsey, #2, retires from Major League Soccer

"Deuce" has played his final professional soccer game. Clint Dempsey, one of the nation's most accomplished players, is retiring from the game and Seattle Sounders FC.

He made the announcement Wednesday morning. Sounders FC has rolled out highlight videos and tributes to the Texas native, including a reel of all 57 goals he scored with the Sounders.

His last career goal: June 23rd, in the 21st minute of the game between Sounders and Chicago Fire. Dempsey has scored dozens of goals in his 15 year career.

Sports writer Matt Pentz with The Athletic says he expected this year could be Dempsey's last because of injuries, but didn't expect the announcement mid-season. He says Dempsey has always marched to his own beat.

Pentz: "He just kind of always had this flare and this aggressiveness that's pretty unique when it comes to American soccer players. Typically sort of the stereotype is these sort of hard working, hustling type players. But Dempsey was always just kind of the creative type who scored goals from interesting angles and always had an eye for something sort of audacious."

Dempsey is the only American to score in three World Cup games. He's tied for the US Men's National Team all time goal record: 57 goals in international play. The forward also scored 57 goals in his six seasons with the Sounders.

Dempsey's been out much of the 2018 season for health reasons.

Sounders FC will hold a farewell ceremony at their home game Saturday at CenturyLink Field.