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

I think - I hope - that we're going to be able to build something here with U.S. Soccer, where it's not just going to be about one lost match or one lost cycle or one lost team. It's going to be about an entire country rallying around an entire sport in a way that lasts.

I set my own personal goals; I'm not playing to satisfy fans.

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.

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