Brad Smith making up for lost time as he stars in the MLS

While Brad Smith is one of few Australians that have played in the English Premier League, the 24-year-old has spent a large part of his club career to date stranded on the bench.

Making just nine league appearances across four seasons with Liverpool and Bournemouth, Smith has now started three straight games for Major League Soccer side Seattle Sounders.

Opting to make the move to America on loan, the left back concedes he's missed far too much football to date and is savouring the chance to play regularly.

"For me, I’m focusing on playing football because I haven’t played enough football in my career," Smith told Sounder at Heart. 

“I’ve been in some big clubs and I’ve played in some big games, especially at Liverpool, but I need to play games and to help the team do well in this season and next season as well.

"It’s a good team, good coaching staff, so I’m glad to be a part of it and we’ll see where it goes from here."

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While game time was a large factor in Smith's decision to make the move to the MLS, the Socceroo revealed the arrival of his first child almost derailed his plans.

"I’d just had a baby, as well, that was kind of the biggest factor of coming over or not because my partner just gave birth," he said.

"It was deciding whether we’d move away, he was only four weeks old when we moved over. We’re happy and my little boy is great. He’s enjoying it and so am I.”

With Seattle on an eight-game win streak, Smith has slotted smoothly into the side and after picking up an assist in a 3-1 win against Sporting KC earned a place in the MLS' Team of the Week.

Prior to joining Seattle, the defender had only played 20 more minutes of club football than he has for the Socceroos.

An injury early on in a play-off against Syria derailed Smith's hopes of playing at the World Cup and he's now slid further down the pecking order under new coach Graham Arnold.

Though accepting he faces a battle to work his way back into the national team, the 24-year-old has time on his side as he finally starts seeing consistent first-team football. 

“I’m here, I’m playing regularly and I’m really enjoying it,” Smith said.

“If the Australia stuff comes back around for the Asia Cup I’d be delighted to be a part of it again."