Quotes from Clint Dempsey

All-Star is something that's exciting for the fans: it's a way for the fans to see their favourite players all play at the same time.

You know me: I'm a fighter.

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've always pushed myself hard.

That's all I'm programmed for: to keep pushing and to try to make the most of my career and my life, to take care of my family.

With the national team, you never know how long you've got, so you always have to be pushing and making the most of it.

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.

I play to the best of my abilities and am thankful for the many opportunities and amazing success He has given me. Through it all, I want to do right, not make mistakes, and live a life that is pleasing to Him.

Now my faith in Christ is what gives me confidence for the future. I know that through both good times and bad, He is faithful and will watch over me.

I have a lot of great memories of playing in Dallas as a kid, and I'm proud to represent Nacogdoches.

Just being in Europe was a grind.

We didn't have money put away in the bank for a college fund; soccer was our lottery ticket, our gamble.

Maybe the law don't always handle things, but that doesn't mean things don't get handled.

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

You always want to play at the highest level possible and make the most of your career, and I felt like I did everything I could.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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

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.

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.