Heads up on this one: Clint Dempsey not on Fulham travel squad

U.S. international Clint Dempsey has been left behind as the rest of the Cottagers squad visits Switzerland as part of its preseason program.

A club spokesman suggested that Dempsey’s fitness is not what it should be, so he’s been left behind to up-armor his strength and stamina with the youth reserves.

And if you buy that, I’ve got a spanking new, soccer specific stadium in downtown Boston that I’d love to sell you.

This is one of two things: Dempsey forcing a move from his longtime London club, or it’s the club’s choice to leave a man behind who isn’t in the plans for 2012-13, who will soon be on the move.

Because Dempsey’s fitness probably isn’t that big an issue. Forgetting for a minute that preseason is all about building fitness, Dempsey isn’t the sort to while away his summer hours at the local Hungry Heifer.

He is 100 percent about soccer, a driven sort who knows a little about fishing, knows how to support family and knows a whole lot about being a professional soccer player – and that’s about it on Dempsey’s short list of things to be passionate about.

Fitness? Yeah, I’m sure it’s fine.