Davis' Discussions: San Jose Earthquakes' Brandon McDonald

Brandon McDonald understands perspective.

In the course of one 10-month period, he went from getting cut by the Los Angeles Galaxy and enduring a failed trial with the Seattle Sounders to finding a starting spot on the San Jose Earthquakes and getting a call to attend his first United States Men's National Team training camp.

The Glendale, Arizona native is pleased with his progress but knows there's always more work to do.

"It's like relief that I finally got my chance to prove what I can do. From there, you don't get satisfied with any of it," he told Goal.com over the phone on Wednesday morning while enjoying a rare day off from two-a-day preseason training.

"Nothing was really accomplished if you look at the big picture," he continued. "There are no MLS Championships hanging up on our locker room and I'm not on any set World Cup roster, so now it's time to push even harder."

The 2008 MLS SuperDraft finds himself in a much better place than he did last year during Major League Soccer preseason. Despite appearing in 16 matches during his rookie season -- and scoring the Goal of the Week against the Colorado Rapids -- the Galaxy cut the University of San Francisco product before the start of the 2009 campaign. While teams from the domestic league expressed interest McDonald, he explored going to Europe. The market wasn't there for an athletic player who possessed limited experience, so the six-foot, one-inch defender signed a development contract with the Quakes.

Although the Northern California franchise struggled to a last-place finish in the Western Conference, the 24 year old started 18 matches. Assuming the union and the management solve the labor issues, McDonald -- who was rewarded with a senior contract last month -- will play a key role in helping steady a defense that allowed a league-high 50 goals in '09.

The Quakes' coaching staff wasn't the only group that noticed the versatile player's performance. American manager Bob Bradley called McDonald into the U.S.'s recently concluded January camp, traditionally a showcase event for younger talent. It was his first appearance for the Stars and Stripes.

McDonald admits he, along with many of the other players, struggled with nerves the first couple days, but improved throughout the three-week long session. Robbie Findley, a childhood friend and fellow trainee in Carson, California, helped prepare McDonald for what to expect and the pair followed the pre-camp fitness workout sent to them by U.S. Soccer. While the Quake didn't make the game-day roster for the match against Honduras, expect his name to appear in the future. (He did not make the 23-man roster for the El Salvador friendly in February.)

If McDonald has his way, the future will also include a move to Europe. At the moment, his loyalty lies with San Jose, but he hopes to eventually venture across the Atlantic.

"Obviously, my goal and my dream is to play in Europe, but now I have to focus on being a part of this team and giving my all to the club, the fans, and my teammates," he said.

McDonald may not be long for these shores, but both he and his club are better for the player's dedication while he's around. It's been a whirlwind past 12 months for the footballer, a successful year that should be celebrated. But only for a moment. 

"You gotta take some positives from it," McDonald said. "There are some guys who've been in the league for a couple years who still haven't played. I'm fortunate enough to get on a side and get to club that that wants me and I'm able to show what I can do. I'm happy in that sense, but I'm not satisfied in the sense that I can take my foot off the gas."

"I made one other stride and now it's time to keep pushing," he continued. "I look at it as another chapter in life."

For McDonald, it's always onward, always upward, always in stride.

Noah Davis covers the United States Men's National Team for Goal.com.