*With his career on the rise, Clint Dempsey might be heading to a Champions League side this summer. And that ain’t no fish story: My profile of the U.S. national team star from Tuesday editions.

Dempsey, who missed the Scotland match with a groin strain, participated in Monday’s training session at the University of Maryland but said afterward he doesn’t think he would be ready to start Wednesday against Brazil at FedEx Field. A second-half appearance seems more likely.

Dempsey hasn’t played competitively since May 6.

*Striker Jozy Altidore arrived in camp, completing the 23-man roster.

“The guys are looking good,” Coach Juergen Klinsmann said. “We’re happy to have Clint back in training, Jozy joining us, so we finally have the whole group together and try to prepare for this big game.”

First, the videos from the U.S. national team’s 5-1 victory over Scotland here in Jacksonville:

Next, a link to my formal story from the print editions and Web site.

Lastly, my column about the U.S. performance and the task ahead against Brazil:

*****

Yes, it was just a friendly. Sure, the opponent lost its ambition (and form and nerve and breath) after halftime.

But when you see Landon Donovan performing with the carefree gusto of a 20-year-old at his first World Cup (remember 2002?). When you see Michael Bradley’s placement, pace and movement on a one-timer from distance.

When you see a midfield triangle work in harmony and balance. When you see Fabian Johnson embrace the left back position on the international level as he’s done in the Bundesliga. When you see 21-year-old Terrence Boyd’s comfort level at the point of the attack.

Most certainly a different type of D.C. United team we’re seeing this season. One that can fight back after seeing a two-goal lead dissolve and walk away with three points.

Oh yeah, and they sit in first place atop the Eastern Conference.

Here’s my match report.

The video package:

Vote...

Greetings from RFK Stadium. Goff is down in Jacksonville for the USA-Scotland friendly, so I’m holding down the homefront.

It’s a beautiful day today in the city. I hope you all took advantage during the day so you can hang here and chat about the games tonight.

Today’s newspaper told the story of a deeper team, made in the image of Coach Ben Olsen that -- because of more games played than its Eastern Conference foes -- has a chance to move into first place with a win tonight.

Plenty of guys with nicks coming into this game, Chris Pontius, Maicon Santos, Nick DeLeon and Andy Najar, so we’ll see who Olsen leans on for the starting lineup and how he manages minutes.

Kickoff: 7:30 p.m.

TV: Direct Kick, MLS Live

United lineup : Hamid; Korb, McDonald, Jakovic, Woolard; Najar, Kitchen, Boskovic, DeLeon; De Rosario, Salihi. Subs: Santos, Wolff, King, Saragosa, Neal, Dudar, Willis

As usual, this is your place for pregame, in game and postgame commentary.

Greetings from Jacksonville, where it’s not cold.

The game-time outlook at 8 p.m. ET calls for 84 degrees, 51 percent humidity and light breezes along the St. Johns River.

A few notes ahead of tonight’s friendly between the U.S. national soccer team and Scotland at EverBank Field.....

*TV coverage begins at 8 on NBC Sports Network and Galavision but kickoff isn’t until 8:21. Arlo White and Kyle Martino are the NBC commentators.

*Attendance projection: 40,000+.

*Of the 23 players on the U.S. roster, 18 will be uniform and six substitutes are permitted. Clint Dempsey (groin) won’t suit up and Jozy Altidore has yet to join the squad because Dutch club AZ Alkmaar declined to release him until Monday. That decision “made us very upset,” Juergen Klinsmann said. Clubs have the right to retain players until the FIFA fixture window opens June 1, but with the Eredivisie season complete, Alkmaar’s decision seems silly.

So three other players won’t make the game-day roster cut: a goalkeeper and two field players.

Much more.....