For a number of years, I struggled and put distance between God and me. But He was faithful and patient and provided gradual healing and strength.

The most important thing is the time you spend with the coach and what you all achieve.

Pressure brings the best out of people, or it can bring the worst out. It's just how you use it.

I got to experience being captain in the World Cup. For me, that was something special, and I'll always kind of remember, but it's never been a big thing for me to be captain.

I never really thought of myself as a captain. I always thought of myself as a guy trying to win games, a guy who could look back and have no regrets.

The only way you're going to make it is to have a hunger for success and a will to win. That's something that's always pushed me.

I'm a kid from Nacogdoches.

I've always pushed myself hard.

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.

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.

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

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.

The most important thing is qualifying for the World Cup.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.