Is it because Frosted Flakes is something so American and familiar that it can be found in Germany?
Yeah, exactly. It was called Frosty's. And when you go to the store, most of the products have no description. You don't know what they are. You don't know what you're getting. But then you see Frosty's, and it's a blue box with Tony the Tiger on it. And you're like, “I know that!”
Then you went to the World Cup in Korea in 2002, even though you were still very young. It must have felt like a different world to Germany, was that true?
Oh Korea was awesome. In Germany we learned a lot about cultural differences but in Korea you will be shocked if you don't know what to expect. We were in Seoul. So Many people do. In their daily lives, their culture is very intrusive. They Okay, move out of the way. I'm next. I'm next. They just keep on running.
You start to realize that's just the way the culture is. It's not good or bad, it's just the way it is. That's why I tell people the best thing you can do in life is travel, because you never know until you go. It was a really great experience. The food was so unique and interesting. Some good, some bad, but it was a great experience.
After the World Cup match against Portugal [Note: the U.S. pulled off a huge upset, beating Portugal 3-2 in the group stage], Was it hard for you to keep your ego in check at 20? After that, you probably felt like you were more of a man.
I'll look back. Until the tournament was over. During the tournament, I was always thinking about the next day, the next day, the next day. What to do, the next workout, going to the gym. To be honest, I was just enjoying it. For sure, when I got home, I had to get my ego in check.
Did he come home to a hero's welcome?
Well, first of all, soccer wasn't that popular back then, and there was no social media, so it wasn't that big a fuss. But then when I went to a soccer stadium or went to a game on the road, [LA] Galaxy or Columbus? [Crew]That's when I realized how much people care. I remember I was in the airport afterwards — not when I first flew back, but during the season, I was doing something on my own — and a stranger recognized me and said hello. That was the first recognition I've ever had in my life. I was like, “I'm a big fan. I loved watching you at the World Cup.” Wow, that's amazing. People actually watch soccer here!
Not at all. When I'm with people I know, care about, and trust, I'm actually the complete opposite. I'm quite an extrovert. My therapist always called me an “unwilling superstar” because I never wanted to be a superstar, but it was just there and I had to find a way to manage it appropriately. It was never something I enjoyed, and to this day it still isn't. I only play because I like to play and I can make a living from it. But the rest? I could do without it.
