When it comes to cup competitions and the Champions League, it's always about going as far as we can. Getting out of the group stage is the first objective, then after that, we will see.

It's a fast learning process if you want to be successful at the highest level.

A lot of people have asked me what's it like being an American player in Europe. 'Do you have to earn more respect because you're American?' But I don't think it's like that at all. I think if you're good, you're good. They don't care where you're from or anything like that.

It's always tough when you see a good player leave. It's not easy.

I always tried to bring confidence to the game.

I'm not a prodigy - or a 'wonderboy,' as some have put it.

I think, with soccer, you never really know what's going to happen in your career - that's the beauty of it.

I would say the youth systems in Germany have impressed me the most and how they grow their youth players into full professionals.

Just knowing that people are going to the game or something with your jersey on and supporting you is really exciting and was a dream of mine. Every time I see it at Dortmund, at games, it's still exciting and gets you really excited to play.

I was watching the 2014 World Cup, and I was playing with the U-17s, I think, at the time. I remember watching it in the summer, and I was like, 'You know what? It's a pretty crazy goal, but I want to be there in 2018.'

If you want to be at the highest level, then you have to really work hard every day.

I think it's normal to have competition once you get to the professional level.

I try to have an impact on every game, whether it's by making runs or using quick moves to try to get by defenders or making a nice pass to help my team.

I put enough pressure on myself.

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.

It's definitely one of my biggest passions - I played every day after school with all my friends from high school in Pennsylvania. They weren't really soccer players, so we would play basketball all the time.

LeBron James has always been the biggest one - I just love to watch him. I'm a big fan, and he's a big inspiration of mine.

I love watching the game, and I loved watching the World Cup.

I've always said that there's a bit of a different sense of pride when you're playing for your national team.

I was always very small, so growing up, I was always getting kicked around. It was something I kind of grew up with.

I think any kid wants to get on the field as much as he can.

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 just try to show no fear when I go on the field every time.

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 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'm trying to become just more clinical in every situation, whether it's the final pass, the final shot, or whatever it is.

I like to think of myself as a tough kid.

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've always expected a lot out of myself, and it can be a good quality. But it can be bad at times, too.

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.

Of course I always dream big, but I don't put a plan out for myself.

When I was a kid, I collected a lot of cards from all different sports.

It's really exciting and pretty cool to see your own face on a playing card.

Obviously, making my debut at such a young age, people put a lot of pressure on you.

I think I've just been able to stay balanced, and my family has helped me through that. And with that, I just can continue to develop because I work hard every day.

I always had a soccer ball with me. I could never stop. As young as I can remember, my dad was always throwing a soccer ball at me.

It was definitely tough being the coach's son.

It's hard to always listen to your dad when you get older. You want to move on, but he has the knowledge. I think he did just the right amount of pushing me but also letting me do my thing, and just making sure that I always enjoyed the game, and I'm not feeling pressured.

I took the step over to Europe to play at a big club at a young age. I think that's what's hard for a lot of people, moving over there.

I was always out playing sports in situations that didn't matter with my friends.