Philadelphia Union midfielder Fred believes Major League Soccer requires much more strength than playing at the top level in his homeland of Brazil.

The 31-year old playmaker has spent three-and-a-half seasons in MLS with DC United and now the Union, and has compared it as a much more physical league to Brazil's Campeonato Serie B where he played with Guarani.

"The football here is very fast, all brand and use real physical strength. While in Brazil the game is more technical and more rhythmic," he said in an interview with MLS Brazil.

Fred, a championship winner with Melbourne Victory in Australia's A-League, was a part of the Union's first season in North America's top flight and admitted it was a testing time for both he and the fledgling franchise in 2010 as he ponders the next phase in his career.

"It was very challenging being in a club that was competing in his first year in the league," he added.

"…I think we did our best for the team.

"For next year still will not know how, since my contract ends in December this year."