I played with the youth national team, I played in some CONCACAF games, and it's always physical; it's always intense.
Luckily, I've just had a lot of people around me that have helped me through it because I wouldn't even be close to where I am if I didn't have the support system I do. I wouldn't be able to do it on my own.
The pressure I give myself from within is what drives me.
I've always been hard on myself, so I expect so much out of myself that that pressure can be inspiring at time.
I learned a lot in the Bundesliga, just playing with these very physical players, playing quickly.
I think it's important to make clear, you know, that the problem with American soccer... it isn't talent.
In the U.S. system, too often the best player on an under-17 team will be treated like a 'star' - not having to work for the ball, being the focus of the offense at all times, etc. - at a time when they should be having to fight tooth and nail for their spot.
I was always, you know, a decent player growing up. And yes, I was born with a certain amount of so-called 'natural ability.' But I also worked and sacrificed a lot to try to maximize what I was born with - which I think is important to point out.
I'm not a prodigy - or a 'wonderboy,' as some have put it.
I'm not super outgoing, but I think the biggest thing I can do is lead by example.
It's been a dream of mine to play for the U.S. national team.
It's my biggest dream as a soccer player: I always wanted to play in the World Cup.
I like to think of myself as a tough kid.
I'm just trying to live in the moment and do the best I can for myself and for my teammates, and that's all I can really focus on.
In my hometown, people I didn't even know started to recognize me: 'Oh, you're that kid that's doing well over there in Europe and with the national team!'
I feel like people put pressure on me, and that makes me put pressure on myself, which isn't needed.
I would say the youth systems in Germany have impressed me the most and how they grow their youth players into full professionals.
I think what we really want to do is to create a real soccer nation. We want to have kids really wanting to play the sport.
I try to focus on the next week and the next game every time, focus on what I'm doing right now and just to continue to improve every single day. If I do that, I should have a good future.
When I was a kid, I collected a lot of cards from all different sports.
