Portland Timbers midfielder Darlington Nagbe has only made two substitute appearances for the the United States, but coach Jurgen Klinsmann is already calling him a "great fit."

Klinsmann had to wait to call up the 25-year-old until he became a U.S. citizen in September, and he played in his first international games in two World Cup qualifiers last week against St. Vincent and the Grenadines Trinidad and Tobago.

And the U.S. coach said he liked what Nagbe has brought to the squad so far.

"We found a player that is really good handling the ball in both directions," Klinsmann said. "He is responsible defensively, to always go behind the ball and to defend, and help out. When we go forward, he knows when to pass, when to dribble, when to keep things racing forward, and also when to take some risks in a certain moment.

"He has a change of pace in one-on-one situations when he goes at defensive midfielders. He has the confidence to get past them and to get closer to the box.

"Darlington is a real nice option now going forward. He had to wait a long time, and we've been waiting for him as well, but it's a great fit and we are glad to have him on board."

Nagbe's international debut came in the middle of the Timbers' MLS playoff run, with the club now one step from reaching its first MLS final after Sunday's 3-1 win over FC Dallas in the first leg of their Western Conference final.

Darlington Nagbe has pulled double duty this month for the United States and for Portland in the MLS playoffs. Rich Lam/Getty Images

Klinsmann called the MLS playoffs "tremendously exciting."

The games in the first round with the penalty shootout, to Portland and Kansas City, to games that were very close, very tight and hard fought. It's been very exciting. The stadiums are packed, the fans are fully engaged and the teams battle themselves through.

"Sometimes you have your favorite pick then you realize after a game or two, your favorite is not there anymore and out of the playoffs. It's at another level this year and I can't wait to see the MLS Cup final."

Some of the futures of other American internationals in MLS are more uncertain, with Jermaine Jones' contract with the New England Revolution expiring.

But Klinsmann said Jones' spot in the U.S. squad is not in danger.

"He's not ready to give his spot up," Klinsmann said. "He's 34 years old, but he's a rock. He's in there every time it matters, he stands his man. He makes it clear to the younger players that he's not giving up his spot. These kind of competitions are real important with the team."