Clint Dempsey believes the USA national team's qualification for the 2014 World Cup will only positively serve the sport in the country.
The Seattle Sounders star was part of the US side that beat Mexico 2-0 in Columbus on Tuesday night to book their ticket to Brazil next year and he feels it is another point of progress for US soccer.
"It was good. We qualified for the World Cup, which was the main goal," the former Fulham and Tottenham ace told reporters when asked how his time with the US team was.
"It helps continue the growth of the game in this country, which is good, and now it's about working hard to make sure we do something when we go to Brazil."
He added: "I thought the boys showed a lot of character, being able to see it out sooner rather than later with two games in hand, and now it's about winning the group, hopefully, and finishing on a good note.
"But yeah, it feels great to celebrate with the boys after such a long haul, because qualifying for the World Cup is never easy."