For Tyler Adams, getting back to where he is now was always a matter of when, not if.
After struggling with injury for a year and a half, Adams has become an integral part of Bournemouth's success this year.
It took some time before Adams made an impact with the Cherries. Between back and hamstring injuries, the U.S. international made just five appearances for Bournemouth across all competitions in 2023-24, playing 138 minutes.
After missing the first two months of the current campaign with a back injury, the midfielder has started 13 Premier League matches this season, becoming a fixture for Andoni Iraola.
Adams was named Bournemouth's player of the month for February after playing every minute of the Cherries' five league matches during the month.
A rough patch of form has seen the Cherries drop to 10th in the Premier League, but Iraola's side is still only five points behind Chelsea in fourth place.
The midfielder comes into the current U.S. men's national team camp in form and full of confidence ahead of Thursday's Concacaf Nations League semifinal against Panama.
For the 26-year-old, regaining his form and fitness was never in doubt, though he admitted he wasn't expecting it to take as long as it did.
"I think every player, whether healthy or not, needs rhythm in their schedule and consistency," Adams told reporters on Tuesday.
"Now that I found consistency, I knew that's all it would take. So for me, there was never a doubt that I'd get back to the level that I'm at. It just took longer than expected.
"I'm trying to stay in the present moment, stay consistent with everything that I've been doing. But yeah, I feel a lot more robust now just playing consistently."
Adams was held out of USMNT duty in the fall due to his back injury, and is currently in his first camp under head coach Mauricio Pochettino. The midfielder said he was eager to work under the Argentine.
"I've had a bunch of different managers in my career and now to be able to work with another great one like Mauricio is a huge honor," he said.
"I'm excited to understand the processes and his thinking in the way that he looks at the game. But having competed with some of the teams that he's managed before, I know a couple of the styles that he plays. So, it's exciting."