USA national team boss Juergen Klinsmann believes Clint Dempsey's loan spell with Fulham over winter has helped him hit top form ahead of the World Cup.
The 31-year old US skipper is in fine form for Seattle Sounders in the early stages of the 2014 MLS season, having scored six goals and produced three assists in five outings.
Dempsey spent two months with former club Fulham over January and February and although he did not set the world alight for the Cottagers, Klinsmann suggests the work he did in west London has placed him in good stead for the MLS campaign as well as this summer's World Cup in Brazil.
"[I'm] very happy that Clint has picked up the rhythm and find his confidence and is part of almost every goal that Seattle scores," said Klinsmann.
"That's really a good sign, it's great for us going into the final weeks before we hit the preparation for the World Cup knowing that he's building his confidence more and more and more.
"And it's due to his hard work that he put in for January, February, being at Fulham. It was not a successful time, but he built a foundation for the months afterward so he seems to now at the right time, at the right spot."
