Fight Club

I totally missed the big US soccer story this last week (and it was on my American Soccer News beat, no less): Clint Dempsey was suspended for two weeks by the New England Revolution for fulfilling many a MLS striker's dream and punching teammate Joey Franchino in the face. Apparently Dempsey was registering his objection to a typically full-blooded Franchino tackle during a practice session. Agreeing with the Revs, the US coaching staff dropped him from the squad for the Wednesday friendly.

So yeah... nice move, Clint. But this story should be over: Dempsey's a bright kid who knows that he had a stupid moment. Hopefully after a two week cooling off period and a round of apologies this will be in the past. And frankly, the two weeks off should be good for Dempsey, who's been playing a lot of soccer so far in 2006; this suspension might be a nice inoculation against summer burnout.