I put enough pressure on myself.

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

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.'

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

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

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

I always tried to bring confidence to the game.

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

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

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.

I've already played against some of my biggest idols.

The expectations some Americans put on me is too much, is what I would say. But I don't take it that way. I know no one means harm to me like that or wanting to put too much pressure on me.

I was very young, but I just remember going to school every day in England, which I didn't enjoy. Every day, as soon as the bell would ring, we would go out and be on this little - it looked like a basketball court, but it was a soccer court with goals and a hard floor.

The World Cup is as big as it gets.

The biggest thing my dad taught me was to play without fear.

Being able to play at club level at a high level and then getting called into the national team, it's amazing.

Lionel Messi, getting to meet him, you're a little star-struck in the beginning, of course.

My dad taught me, like, no matter what, when I go out and play against these bigger players, just to be myself. I knew that I was good enough and that I had the ability to. I never shy away from anyone, and I don't think anyone should.

I think it's good to have competition.

I played one year of competitive basketball, actually. I don't remember what grade I was in, maybe middle school or something. I was the point guard - I was the smallest one always. I did my best; I thought I did pretty good. I was always a little bit better at soccer, so I had to make the decision.

The Premier League is an unbelievable league.