Todd Dunivant is determined to be an integral part of the LA Galaxy line-up this year.
The 34-year old defender made just eight appearances in the Galaxy's MLS Cup-winning campaign in 2014 because of two major injuries which kept him sidelined for much of proceedings.
An abdominal tear and a groin injury restricted the Galaxy favourite but he is looking to contribute much more in 2015 as the Galaxy chase a fourth title in five years.
"It was frustrating," said Dunivant.
"It's hard to go through a season like that where you work so hard to get fit, and after a tough injury and surgery, and then you come back and you get injured again. It takes you right back down. It's hard, obviously, on your body, but also kind of your psyche.
"But I was able to feed off the team's energy and the fact that we were doing so well. You don't want to disrupt that, you don't want to let your own frustration seep into the team and let anyone know those kind of things are going on.
"You just try the best that you can to integrate yourself in the group and keep the tide going. And we were able to do that, and we won a championship."
Dunivant, who has made over 220 appearances for the Galaxy, added that he is happy to play whatever role head coach Bruce Arena wants him to after seeing Robbie Rogers make the left-back position his own last term.
"My job is to be that reliable option again and to give Bruce that option that I'm healthy, available, and I can bring my experience and all my qualities to the team," he added.
