Clint Dempsey named U.S. captain for World Cup qualifiers

Clint Dempsey leads U.S. scorers during the current World Cup qualifying. (Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) Clint Dempsey has been named captain for the U.S. team's

Clint Dempsey leads U.S. scorers during the current World Cup qualifying. (Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Clint Dempsey has been named captain for the U.S. team's World Cup qualifiers against Costa Rica and Mexico, according to coach Jurgen Klinsmann via the U.S. Soccer website.

“Clint is one of our most experienced players and ready to assume a more vocal leadership role,” head coach Jurgen Klinsmann said. “He has been huge for us in World Cup Qualifying so far and is already one of our key leaders. We know he will do a great job for these two important games.”

The U.S. team's captaincy needed filling with Carlos Bocanegra off the roster, Tim Howard injured and Landon Donovan unavailable during his sabbatical.