Terrence Boyd: I didn’t know if I’d ever come back

RB Leipzig striker Terrence Boyd is thankful to be back with the United States men’s national team after a call-up from Jurgen Klinsmann sees the 25-year-old re-join the team for the first time since March 2014. He’ll be in the squad to face New Zealand in a friendly on Tuesday (8:00 p.m. ET, ESPN).

Boyd has been struggling mightily the last few years with multiple knee injuries. He’s finally fully fit and looking to regain his form for both club and country. While Boyd has never scored for the national team he has played a role for the team in the past, including the USA’s first ever win at Estadio Azteca in 2012.

He’s thrilled to be back in the national team fold, but admits that he wasn’t sure if he’d ever wear the red, white, and blue again.

“I’m just thankful for the call-up. It’s nice to see all the old guys again,” Boyd said in a video provided by U.S. Soccer. “It was a long, long journey. I was injured and I didn’t know if I’d ever come back. To be back with the national team means a lot to me.”

Over the last several months, the USMNT striker pool has improved tremendously with the likes of Jordan Morris and Bobby Wood emerging as legitimate contenders for a spot.

It’ll be a long road back to becoming a first choice for Klinsmann in a full strength squad, but this is the beginning of that. If he can show he’s getting back on track it will surely improve his chances of making that happen in the future.

Are you excited to have Boyd back with the USMNT? Just happy he’s back playing again?