Landon Donovan admitted it felt great to be back on the pitch for LA Galaxy on the weekend.
The 31-year old attacking midfield star played 30 minutes of Saturday's 2-2 draw with Toronto FC after spending the preseason away from the game to assess his future.
Donovan was back after just three training sessions and although he was a bit rusty, he admits he got the feeling of actually wanting to be out there back again.
"I felt like I felt when I was a little kid today," Donovan, said on club broadcaster Time Warner Cable's postgame show.
"That's the feeling I want back. I was excited to be out there. I was engaged, I was aware and sort of in the moment, and enjoyed it.
"For the last while before that, it hadn't been that way, so I'm very fortunate I was given this opportunity to clear my head, and now I'm excited to be back and help this team."
He added: "Obviously, I want to play better. I didn't play well. But it was pretty interesting to get that first touch in front of the goal.
"It's going to take time. The only part I need now is the soccer part, and that's evident when I'm playing. Fitness-wise, I felt good. I just need sharpness now and more practice, and I should be back."
