Clint Dempsey made his first start for Seattle Sounders on the weekend.
The 30-year old USA international, who debuted off the bench in last weekend's 2-1 win over Toronto FC, played as full 90 minutes and was happy to go the distance despite his side losing 3-1 at Houston Dynamo.
"You've got to play games to get fitness. So far I've only played two competitive games since I was off with the national team," he said.
"It's good to get my first 90 minutes, and fitness is getting there. I'm still working on that sharpness, that final shot in front of goal. I was lacking that a little bit tonight. I like to think I could have put at least one of those opportunities away.
It was good to get 90 minutes. This was the first 90 minutes I've had in a long time. I thought we created enough chances tonight that we should have scored more goals.
"I had some good looks; I maybe should have put one away. But we created chances, so I'm not frustrated with that aspect."