Clint Dempsey pulled off a rare hat trick of sorts on Wednesday night during a 5-0 midweek victory against the No. 1 team in MLS, FC Dallas.
The US national team forward managed to score a goal, register an assist, and get sent off with a straight red card ... all in just over half an hour of play.
The Goal
The goal came off a well-taken penalty kick earned after FC Dallas defender Maynor Figueroa used his arm to deflect a shot destined for goal, an offense which earned him a straight red card for denial of an obvious goal-scoring opportunity after just four minutes.
The Assist
Deuce turned provider in the 22nd minute, feeding a well-weighted through ball to Jordan Morris, who put the Sounders up by a comfortable 3-0 scoreline.
The Red Card
Dempsey received his marching orders from referee Ricardo Salazar in the 33rd minute after sending a hand to the face of Dallas midfielder Juan Esteban Ortiz, who came in with a late challenge which earned a yellow card.
Dempsey's red card, the first in his MLS career, will force him to sit out Sunday's national TV rivalry match against the Portland Timbers (3 pm ET on FOX).
Seattle head coach Sigi Schmid was unconvinced that the sending off was warranted when interviewed at halftime of the match: “The [Dempsey] situation, can’t really comment on. From my perspective, I thought it was yellow-yellow for both guys.”
