Clint Dempsey says he "did everything I could to keep playing" after being diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat.
The ailment ended the forward's season in August of last year, and after recently returning with the Seattle Sounders, Dempsey will suit up with the U.S. national team on Friday for the first time since the Copa America last June.
In an interview with ESPN's Julie Stewart-Binks, Dempsey admitted there were times he thought his career might be over, but he fought to continue and hopes to finish on his own terms.
"There's always that possibility, you don't really know the full extent until you hear from the doctors," he said of the chances of being forced into retirement.