By Noah Davis

United States international Heath Pearce could soon be facing a new challenge. After struggling to find time at Hansa Rostock, earlier this week the defender found himself relegated to the reserve squad by manager Andreas Zachhuber who took over for Dieter Eilts as the head of the struggling club in March. As a result, Pearce -- whose contract runs through June 30 -- is considering looking elsewhere for employment.

"I need to be playing again," he said to Goal.com over the phone. "Regardless of how big or small the league or team is, I need to be somewhere that's a competitive environment every day where I can develop as well as be playing matches on the weekends."

The decision by Hansa's management to relegate Pearce to the reserve squad surprised the American.

"For me it was hard to understand, because in the press conference a few days before, the coach said that I had been training hard and training well and keeping a positive attitude," he said. "Even though I wasn't in the lineup, I'd been told I was working hard."

Pearce also said that while when Zachhuber spoke to the press he claimed the demotion was "for performance reasons," in a private meeting the manager told the 24-year-old he was sent down because the coach believed he was faking an injury. The fullback explained to Goal.com that he injured himself while doing some extra shooting after practice. 

"They told me that the 'performance reasons' was [a story] for the press," Pearce said. "[Coach Zachhuber] told me yesterday in my meeting with him that it was more to do with the fact that they didn't believe that I was really injured." 

The frequent starter for the USMNT took the news in stride. "They told me that I'll be training with the reserves and that's how it's going to be from here on out," he said. "If I have another solution of something I want to do then we can work that out financially. For now, I'm still a contracted player at Hansa and whether I'm on the first team or second team I'm going to be working hard."

Pearce, who went straight to Denmark after a standout college career at University of Portland, could see himself playing in Major League Soccer. "When I left for Europe it was, in all reality, because MLS wasn't an option for me. I wasn't offered a contract, and I had been offered a contract in Europe. ... I'm in no position, nor do I believe my abilities are in a position to say 'I'm not going there,' 'I'm not going there.'" 

In the next week, he plans to discuss the possibilities with his agent and family, and U.S. coach Bob Bradley. He's spoken with Bradley in the past about his next move and both agree the defender needs to insert himself in a situation where he can contribute immediately. 

"My talk with Bob was that my next situation has to be a good situation," Pearce said. "I have to sort my career out, not only for playing reasons but also for development reasons."

Although he hasn't seen the pitch much at Hansa, Pearce has played the majority of minutes at left back for the United States National Team during the past 18 months. He feels fortunate to have had this chance. "Normally with all national teams, not just the big ones, if you're not playing with your club team, you're not going to be playing with your national team. ... Luckily I've been given the opportunity to play a long string of games over the last year and a half where my club situation has been up and down, in all reality, more downs than ups," he said. 

After the U.S. team struggled against El Salvador, Pearce found himself replaced by DaMarcus Beasley for the match against Costa Rica. He hasn't "read into it too much," however, adding, "I don't feel like because I played games I should still be there. Each game is on a game-to-game basis and each decision comes for whatever reason and that's something I have to accept and understand."

For Pearce, that attitude will help as he sorts out his current situation. Rostock -- a city he enjoys for its wide beach and passionate fans -- could soon be in the rearview mirror, but that won't stop him from competing.  

"Until anything changes I'll be here and I'll be doing everything I can to be a good professional," he said. 

Noah Davis covers the United States National Team for Goal.com.