U.S. forward Clint Dempsey injures knee during Premier League play

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The U.S. soccer team might find out Monday that striker Clint Dempsey will be out of commission during the World Cup. He’ll definitely be sidelined during preparation for South Africa 2010 after injuring a knee during Premier League action today.

The American forward, who plays for Fulham, limped off the pitch after falling in the 62nd minute while playing against Blackburn.

‘Clint will be scanned tomorrow, but we feel it might be a posterior cruciate knee ligament, which would be very bad for us and he would be out for a while,’ Fulham Manager Roy Hodgson said. ‘It’s a concern upfront because Clint Dempsey is very useful for us.’

The hard-charging Texan has been a member of the U.S. national team since 2004. He’s made 59 international appearances and has 17 goals.

The U.S. begins its World Cup campaign in South Africa against England on June 12, then meets Slovenia six days later before closing the group stage against Algeria on June 23.

-- Dan Loumena