The German-American midfielder used to fall asleep on his way to training when playing on his first youth team. Safe to say he doesn't do that with Reading.

Bill Barrett/isiphotos.com

WHAT IS YOUR EARLIEST MEMORY OF SOCCER? I often missed the training sessions when I played with my first team. My Mom drove me and it was a little distance, so I often fell asleep and didn’t wake up. And my Mom didn’t want to wake me up!

WHO WAS YOUR SOCCER HERO GROWING UP? Growing up I always thought Pelé was the best player in the history of soccer. But at my team where I played in my youth (Karlsruhe) it was Thomas Hässler. A very skillful player.

DESCRIBE YOUR FIRST EXPERIENCE SUITING UP FOR THE U.S. It was very emotional, because my first game was in Miami. A city where I had just spent my vacation that summer. By the way, that [vacation] was the first time I had visited the U.S.

WHAT IS THE QUALITY YOU MOST ADMIRE IN A SOCCER PLAYER? Discipline. You always need the will to improve yourself, look after your body—drink and eat healthy—and you need to have enough sleep!

WHAT IS THE QUALITY YOU MOST DISLIKE IN AN OPPONENT? No respect, no discipline, not being a team player.

WHAT IS THE KEY TO YOUR SOCCER SUCCESS? I always try to go to my limits, believe in my abilities, never give up, and try to get better at everything I do. Plus, I have always listened to advice of my family.

WHAT IS ONE SOCCER SKILL YOU WANT TO IMPROVE? Not one but pretty much everything. You can always improve everything you do.

WHO HAS HAD THE GREATEST INFLUENCE ON YOUR DEVELOPMENT? My mother

WHO IS YOUR CLOSEST FRIEND IN THE GAME? Two players of my former team, where I managed to get professional—Ömer Toprak and Dennis Aogo.

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST SOCCER ACHIEVEMENT? To qualify for the World Cup 2014 in Brazil and to play in an international Cup with my club (eventually).

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST SOCCER DISAPPOINTMENT? To have lost against Bayern Munich with 1:7 (last season).

WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSON YOU LEARNED FROM THE GAME? Don’t keep thinking about mistakes during the game, because it will take away your concentration for the next situation.

WHO ARE THE MOST TALENTED TEAMMATES YOU HAVE PLAYED ALONGSIDE? Clint Dempsey, Ryan Babel, and Papiss Demba Cisse.

WHO ARE THE TOUGHEST OPPONENTS YOU HAVE LINED UP AGAINST? Bayern Munich

IF YOU WEREN'T A PROFESSIONAL SOCCER PLAYER, WHAT WOULD YOU DO FOR A LIVING? I never really dealt with a different plan. Luckily it turned out.