Former Paris Saint-Germain, Red Star Belgrade and Rapid Vienna midfielder Branko Boskovic currently finds himself out of the DC United first team.
The 30-year old Montenegro international has struggled in the early part of the new MLS season, highlighted by his absence in the DC squads for their opening matches of the 2011 season.
Boskovic has been demoted to the reserves but insists he is working hard to regain fitness and form ahead of a return to Ben Olsen's first team.
"For every player, it's difficult to sit on the bench and watch," he said. "I am a professional. I respect every decision. I must work."
Olsen admits that Boskovic is doing all he can to put his hand up for a first team berth but at present, he is a victim of circumstances.
"He works very hard at training, and [in] the reserve games, he plays as hard as he would in a regular game," the coach said.
"Right now, I have (Chris) Pontius out there. That could change. We're week to week here. [Boskovic] has proven to us that he's willing to work and put the effort to show he deserves to be on the field."