TUKWILA, Wash. — In the aftermath of learning in August that he had an irregular heartbeat, Clint Dempsey relayed a straightforward desire to Seattle Sounders Coach Brian Schmetzer: He wanted to go out on his feet.

But retirement seemed like a legitimate possibility for Dempsey after the chest discomfort that had lingered for the better part of last year. A blockbuster signing for the Sounders in 2013, Dempsey watched from the sideline in December as the club won its first M.L.S. Cup, and the few official updates on his status during his layoff had been vague at best.

On Tuesday morning, however, Dempsey took a big step toward reaching his stated goal.

Dempsey, 33, confirmed in his first public comments since the diagnosis of his heart problem that he had been cleared to return to game action. While Dempsey will miss the United States national team’s two World Cup qualifiers in March — Coach Bruce Arena said last week that he would not call him into camp — Dempsey could be on the field with the Sounders when M.L.S. kicks off its 22nd season next month, and he has an eye on the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

“I feel like I’m finally getting close: 85 percent, 90 percent back to full fitness,” said Dempsey, who has played a total of 75 minutes across two preseason games. “Whether it’s the training staff here or in other places, everybody is on the same page of how I should be progressing. As of right now, everything is going great.”