HOW BIG IS JURGEN KLINSMANN'S smile right about now?

After a tumultuous, injury-filled, and frankly disappointing last 12 months or so, Clint Dempsey finally gave Seattle the performance it had been looking for in a wild 4-4 draw with the Portland Timbers. More importantly for United States national team fans, it seems as though their captain is finally on the upswing two-plus months out from the 2014 World Cup.

Dempsey's first goal wasn't exactly a technical marvel, but he put it away cleanly. (Is Dempsey wiping away sweat, as if to suggest he was relieved, in that screen grab?)

Dempsey's second looked like one of his 50-something strikes for Fulham over the years. Lamar Neagle made a nifty move to create space, sent a dangerous ball into the penalty area, and a scrappy Dempsey just seemed to want it more than anybody else. He found the ball and found a way to direct it into the Portland net, pulling the Sounders to within one goal at 4-3

The third goal came on a penalty kick created by DeAndre Yedlin. What's that, you say—Dempsey at the penalty spot? Nooooooooo!

Yes.

And while it wasn't the most convincing penalty you'll ever see, you have to admire Dempsey's audacity. He knows he has struggled at the spot ut he always wants to take the shot. And he did. And he scored.

The big question now: Was this a one-off performance, or is Deuce now back?

Time will tell, but we tend to be impatient. Tell us what you think in the comments section below.