Chivas USA goalkeeper Dan Kennedy is determined to fight for the number one spot on the team this season.

The 27-year old is back in full fitness after a knee injury kept him out of action for all of 2009 and plans to wrestle back the ascendency that currently lies with gloveman Zach Thornton.

"I got hurt right before the season, so it really opened the door for Zach," Kennedy said. "You saw the year that he had. Now, it's just about me coming back and contributing to the team and proving where my level is at.

"It's good to be back, absolutely. This is everything I've worked for for the last 10 months."

Chivas coach Martin Vasquez said Kennedy will be given every chance to prove himself for the 2010 season as he only deserves to return to the big time of MLS.

"We're going to give him the opportunity to show what he showed before he got hurt," said Vasquez. "We owe that to him because when it [the injury] happened he was doing very well.

"He's been working every day. When somebody is so determined, you've got to give him a fair chance."