We have improved a lot. There has been a radical, 180-degree change here. This team will be much more improved this year than last. This team looks dedicated and focused and we are showing that in games.

A scrimmage is not the same as an official game but at the same time it was physical because nobody wants to lose. They're preparing themselves as a team and players are trying to win spots. We have an obligation to always give 100 percent and take everything seriously. Both sides were going in with a lot of intensity but it was no more than that.

Even though we've only been playing for a couple of weeks and we lost to the U.S. 3-2, we played them straight up.

The referees were just calling everything. Both teams had a lot of fouls, so hopefully we will adjust to that and the refs will adjust, too. There were a lot of cheap calls and when that happens you can't get a rhythm.

After the sharp rise in gasoline prices, we believe that crude and transportation fuel prices will remain at historically high levels for a prolonged period of time, reflecting a tighter global balance.

Armstrong will not be here this year, so everything will be different. I think I have a chance.