Every year is a roller coaster. I've enjoyed the struggle of having new coaches and having to prove myself over again. Being able to figure out ways to solve problems, to overcome obstacles - that's been fun.

I always kind of struggled a little bit with being captain sometimes, because sometimes you feel like you have to be someone that you're not.

I liked rap from a young age, from listening to MC Hammer and Vanilla Ice.

I like trying to be creative.

I love soccer. That's my passion. That's what I make a living doing.

You always wanna make sure that you're not burnt out. But I feel like I've been able to find the right balance of still staying fresh in games and still being able to be productive.

When the team plays better, individuals play better as well.

When you come in with the national team, there's an adjustment period. Sometimes you don't have time to adjust.

Saying you shouldn't miss a beat is easier said than done.

It's an honor, it's a privilege to be able to be one of the guys leading your country out, especially in a World Cup. It's something that you'll be able to tell your grandkids about.

If I feel compelled or feel that I really need to say something at a certain time, I'll say it. But more do than not; I'm trying to lead by example.

My parents worked very hard for everything that they got. Their parents worked hard. It's just something that is passed down to you, and whatever you want to accomplish, you have to work hard to get it, and that's always been that mentality that my family has, and I think that's something that was passed on to me.

For soccer, it was Diego Maradona, and then another idol for me was Michael Jordan. To see them play and how that they could impact the game was pretty special.

I've always been a competitive person, wanted to be on the field.

It was frustrating when the managers would change; you'd go to the bench and try to work your way back into the team. But it makes you stronger.

The Cottage was one of my favourite stadiums to play in. It was such an intimate atmosphere, and I've just got so many great memories of playing there.

I remember, growing up, losing a sister, and - life is short. Make the most of your opportunities.

I'm at peace with what I've been able to accomplish, not only domestically but abroad, and what I was able to do on the international level.

At the end of the day, everybody has the right to choose their own path in their career.

Anytime you get good service to the box, it's always great as an attacking player because it gives you more opportunities to score.

You know me: I'm a fighter.

I didn't get started until late. I didn't get started until I was 20. I turned 21 in my first MLS season, in March. It's always been a race against time, really, for me. It's kind of my mentality, to make up for lost time.

I want to do something really special in my life.

Just being in Europe was a grind.

I went through five different coaching changes at Fulham.

You can be on a good team and not play at all.

I grew up with the South American style of toca-toca.

There's always room for quality players in a team. The trick as a manager is to figure out how to bring the best out of your team.

When people ask me what club I supported growing up, I didn't really watch club soccer. The only channels I got had World Cups and the Copa America, so I gravitated toward the Latin American, South American style of game.

I like scoring against everybody.

Any goal is a good goal.

The players you really feel bad for are the younger players, who haven't had a chance to experience playing in a World Cup.

I've played in a lot of important games in my life.

You go out and work hard and leave everything on the field. I think if you do that, you don't have any regrets. You can go home and look at yourself in the mirror.

When you're out there and playing, things are going fast. You've just got to trust your instincts and what got you there.

It's where you're from - it's your roots - and that's why I like to get back to Nacogdoches in the offseason and hang out with my family. To me, it keeps me grounded and reminds me of how far I've come.

Family comes together when you deal with hard times because it's the only way you know how to cope.

It's easier to destroy than it is to create, but I've always enjoyed the creative aspect of the game.

You always want to score as many goals as possible, but the most important thing is if the team does well.

Whatever position allows me to get touches in the attacking third, that's the position I like the most.

It's just staying focused and working hard; that's all I've ever done. I was fortunate enough that things worked out for me. It doesn't happen all the time, but I don't let bumps in the road throw me off course.

You don't want to hit your peak until late in the season.

I've been playing 90 minutes in MLS games. But when you're playing internationally in World Cup qualifiers, there's a little bit extra incentive there. It's win or go home.

The most important thing is qualifying for the World Cup.

It's always difficult, when you have such a quick turnaround and a long flight, to try to get ready for a game so quickly.

If you're having sequences where you're keeping 20 passes or more, then you're only growing in confidence in the game.

You're just grateful for every day, grateful for every game you get to play in because you never know when it's going to be taken from you.

If someone has your arms around you, I'm not going to sit there and be like, 'OK, this is fine.' I'm going to try to bust out of it and get in position to score a goal.

It's a compliment that people think that I'm a good player. I remember when people didn't think I was good. And I remember being a rookie coming into the league with a big chip on my shoulder trying to prove myself.

I've always pushed myself hard.