World Cup notes: Clint Dempsey should be OK to play despite broken nose

Published: June 17, 2014 10:22 pm
This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

• The U.S. Soccer Federation says captain Clint Dempsey should be able to play in Sunday's World Cup game against Portugal despite a broken nose.

Dempsey scored 30 seconds into Monday's 2-1 win over Ghana, then was bloodied by a shin to the face from defender John Boye when they battled for a header in the 33rd minute.

U.S. team spokesman Michael Kammarman said Tuesday it had not been determined whether Dempsey would need to play with a mask.

Forward Jozy Altidore and defender Matt Besler went for scans Tuesday after coming out of the game with hamstring problems. Altidore injured his left leg during the first half, and Besler came out at halftime with soreness in his right leg.

Portugal defender to miss rest of tourney

• Portugal left back Fabio Coentrao has been ruled out of the rest of the World Cup with a muscle strain.

Portugal plays the United States in Manaus on Saturday and will also be without suspended defender Pepe.

From wire reports

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