Seattle Sounders coach Sigi Schmid says Clint Dempsey could start against former club Houston Dynamo on Saturday.

Schmid is pleased with the fitness of the former Tottenham and Fulham attacker.

"I think he's ready to start," Schmid said. "It's tough in the heat, in the humidity, but he's sort of used to that. He grew up in Texas. It's just a question of how many minutes. I think he's a smart enough player. He knows how to manage his minutes."

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