Dempsey credits teammates for torrid pace

• by Paul Kennedy  @pkedit, Apr 27, 2014

[MLS: The USA 20] Clint Dempsey remained on fire with two more goals to finish off April with seven goals and two assists in four games and lead the Seattle Sounders to a 4-1 win over the Colorado Rapids that moved them into first place in the Western Conference. Dempsey credits the play of his midfield for his hot streak and the Sounders' current form -- three wins and a draw in their last four games -- on their new chemistry.

"It was good work from everybody," Dempsey said afterward. "Good, quick play, quick transition of the point of attack from the midfield. Getting the ball wide -- [Marco] Pappa and [Lamar] Neagle also contributing, Ozzie [Osvaldo Alsono] and [Gonzalo] Pineda with the good passing and getting us the ball in good spots and we were able to make things happen with link-up play through each other, as well. I would have to say it's a team effort."

Dempsey's eight goals are tied with his production in his final MLS season with New England before moving to Fulham. Only three times in a season has he scored more than eight league goals -- 17 with Fulham in 2011-12, 12 with the Cottagers the season before that and 10 with the Revs in 2005, his second MLS season.



"The year I scored 23 [2011-12 in all competitions] with Fulham, I was on a pretty good run there, but it feels good," he said of his current run. "We're in a good rhythm as a team, we have a good locker room, and it think that shows on the field in our play."

The USA 20:
SATURDAY:
M Kyle Beckerman (90 minutes), Real Salt Lake, 2-2 vs. Vancouver
D Tony Beltran (90 minutes), Real Salt Lake, 2-2 vs. Vancouver
D Matt Besler (90 minutes), Sporting KC, 0-2 at New England
F Clint Dempsey (87 minutes, 2 goals), Seattle, 4-1 vs. Colorado
M Maurice Edu (90 minutes, 1 yellow card), Philadelphia, 0-1 at Montreal
D Brad Evans (sub: 22 minutes), Seattle, 4-1 vs. Colorado
M Luis Gil (did not dress), Real Salt Lake, 2-2 vs. Vancouver
D Clarence Goodson (90 minutes), San Jose, 1-0 vs. Chivas USA
GK Bill Hamid (90 minutes), D.C. United, 4-1 vs. FC Dallas
F Eddie Johnson (50 minutes, 1 asssist), D.C. United, 4-1 vs. FC Dallas
D Michael Parkhurst (90 minutes), Columbus, 1-1 vs. New York
GK Nick Rimando (90 minutes), Real Salt Lake, 2-2 vs. Vancouver
F Chris Wondolowski (90 minutes), San Jose, 1-0 vs. Chivas USA
D DeAndre Yedlin (90 minutes), Seattle, 4-1 vs. Colorado
M Graham Zusi (90 minutes), Sporting KC, 0-2 at New England
SUNDAY:
M Brad Davis, Houston, at Philadelphia
IDLE:
GK Sean Johnson, Chicago
M Michael Bradley, Toronto FC
M Landon Donovan, LA Galaxy
D Omar Gonzalez, LA Galaxy