We know all we can worry about is the first game and go from there. But with some of the teams that we've played, we feel like we should be ready for anything. We're just going to rely on each other and see how far that can get us.

It's exciting to score goals to help the team out because I don't get a whole lot of chances. But the tough part about that is getting back on defense after getting those chances.

Actually when I was growing up, I was always a defender, so it wasn't hard to make that adjustment. I really like it because I get to be the one that's there to interrupt the other team's plays, then I can go ahead and start our offense from the back.

I never had to worry. They never called and said I'll lose my job or anything. They just said do your thing and your job will be waiting when you get back.

It's a good position to be in with everyone pretty much healthy. You know, over a stretch like we're about to hit, we're going to take a beating. At least we'll go into the stretch healthy. We'll adjust from there.

NPR fired me for telling the truth. The truth is that I worry when I am getting on an airplane and see people dressed in garb that identifies them first and foremost as Muslims. This is not a bigoted statement. It is a statement of my feelings, my fears after the terrorist attacks of 9/11 by radical Muslims.