DC United midfielder Danny Szetela is confident he can get back to full fitness before the start of the 2010 MLS season.

The 22-year old signed with the MLS club last year and was hoping to enjoy a solid pre-season when he tore his meniscus in his right knee on the second day of training.

Following successful surgery, Szetela is in rehab training and looking to be right before the season kicks off in late March.

"I really worked hard this offseason in order to be able to earn a starting spot with D.C. Everything was going well, and then this happened," Szetela told MLSnet.com.

"Everything is going like it's supposed to be. I'm riding the bike already so hopefully soon I'll be able to start running," he explained on Wednesday. "The trip to South Carolina, hopefully by then I'll be ready to be on the field and get some games in before the season starts."

Szetela added that he was confident DC could make an improvement on their overall 10th placing last season.

"With the coaching staff and the guys on the team, we definitely look like a different bunch of guys than we were last year," he said. "We weren't getting results but I think everyone put that aside this year. We have a lot of young talent and we signed some good new players. So as long as we stay positive like we have been so far, I think that the team can go to the MLS Cup."