Clint Dempsey started the Seattle Sounders' preseason match against the Portland Timbers on Saturday night.
The former U.S. national team captain has been out of action since August due to an irregular heartbeat, but was lively in his first half-hour back on the field for the Sounders.
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The Sounders and Timbers faced off in Tucson, Arizona, with the match marking the opening of the preseason match schedule for Seattle.
The Sounders will play a scrimmage against the San Jose Earthquakes on Tuesday before moving on to the Carolina Challenge Cup.