She [my mother] struggled, abusing alcohol for quite some time, and so we just kind of drifted apart. I went to college. But I dedicate the book to her because she is the true champion of the family. She kept our family together. She provided us with a roof over our head. She always worked.

I wear my dad's cross. It's very important to me. I hang it in my locker before each game.

In truth, 2007 was the hardest year of my life. I lost my best friend. I lost my father.

My entire purpose is trying to be the best in the game, and if that exudes beauty too, that's pretty powerful.

I don't just want to focus on soccer, soccer, soccer. You're going to look back 20 years from now and of course you're going to remember the games. But I'm going to remember seeing my family in the stands.

I never felt the same passion for the game in the States and there were a lot of headaches, a lot of obstacles to overcome - it didn't just run itself for the love of the game because soccer is not the No. 1 sport as it is in Europe.

I like to read books and be alone; I'm not social butterfly person.