Rangers midfielder Maurice Edu says he is looking forward to this summer's CONCACAF Gold Cup.
The 25-year old and his USA teammates are preparing for the June tournament which kicks off on Sunday with Group A matches between Costa Rica versus Cuba and Mexico versus El Salvador before the US meet neighbours Canada in Detroit on Tuesday.
Edu is up for this competition after a successful season with Rangers, which yielded the League Cup/Premiership double, and the former Toronto FC star has highlighted the importance of the number one seeded US team performing well on their home soil.
"It's an important tournament and so far I haven't played in it so I'm looking forward to that," he told the club's official website.
"I missed the last couple through injury but if we win this one we qualify for the Confederations Cup, which is very important for us.
"It's a short time that I have had off before going back into match mode with my country. It doesn't give much chance for a break, but that's football nowadays.
"I'm sure the gaffer (Ally McCoist) will be sympathetic about my situation when I'm done.
"I'm at a stage in my career where I want to play as many games as possible and I'm getting the chance to do that now so why would I complain?
"Whenever I pull on my country's colours it's a great feeling and I take a great pride every time I get the chance to represent my country."