Timothy Chandler will not quit the United States and vowed to fight for his place at Bundesliga club Eintracht Frankfurt, a day after the club's coach suggested he reconsider his national team career.
Upon his return to team training at Frankfurt on Thursday, the full-back replied to his coach Armin Veh, who had said Chandler's international duties harmed his progress in Bundesliga.
Chandler missed major parts of the 2014 preseason following the World Cup, and could again miss out on next year's preseason in the aftermath of the 2016 Copa America, taking place in the United States.
But the 25-year-old said he is eager to play in the intercontinental event next summer.
"If the coach [Jurgen Klinsmann] includes me in the squad, I definitely want to take part in it," Chandler told reporters.
Following the CONCACAF Gold Cup this summer, Chandler returned to Germany, where he spent a week in Nurnberg.
"It wasn't really a holiday, because football was on my mind all the time," Chandler said, according to Frankfurter Rundschau.
"Physically, I did not lose too much. I don't have to start from scratch. I will be ready for the start of the Bundesliga season next week."
However, Frankfurt coach Veh already told Chandler he'll "have to wait in line" before returning to the starting formation.
"I can understand it," Chandler said. "The others have trained for six weeks. But when the coach needs me, I will be there."
Also on Friday, Eintracht Frankfurt signed Finland goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky from Danish side Brondby to a three-year deal to replace Kevin Trapp, who left for Paris Saint-Germain.