Seattle Sounders star Eddie Johnson admits he has some mixed feelings about his recent call-up to the USA national team.
The 29-year old striker is in Juergen Klinsmann's roster for Friday's World Cup qualifier against Jamaica in Kansas City and Tuesday's meeting with Panama in Panama City and although he loves representing his nation, its comes at a tough time as the Sounders chase the 2013 MLS Supporters' Shield.
"Any chance to wear the US jersey, it's an honor and it's a privilege and it's something you don't want to take for granted," said Johnson.
"Myself and Brad Evans, it's tough to leave our team here because at the start of the season we set goals as a team and winning the Supporters' Shield is something that I'd be lying if I said any franchise doesn't set as one of their goals. We're in the race for it, and it's a tough time to leave.
"But like I said previous times before when we had to leave, if we're going to leave, we have to go get the job done with the national team. We've got two more World Cup qualifying games and we want to win the group.
"That's why Klinsmann called in a strong group. I'm very confident with my teammates back here in Seattle that they can get the job done in two games that we miss.
"It was one thing to get called into national team, but if you're going and you're going to take it for granted, you're not going to get anything out of it. You might as well not even go. I'm very fortunate and blessed to have this opportunity again, and I want to make the most of it."
