The Danish League Defender of the Year with FC Nordsjaellend in 2006 feels he became safer in order to pin down a place in Bob Bradley's line-up, but is now returning to his positional roots thanks to some Bundesliga experience.

"Somewhere along the line, I forgot my ability to get forward," Pearce admitted to AP. "Even with the national team, I never really had that comfort to go forward and use some of the strengths I have going forward."

"It's helped me to understand the position of a winger when I'm defending him, and how an outside back can make it hard for me as a winger," ha added. "I've been able to learn from both positions and use them to my advantage."