I mentioned before that I stay at a place called C.A.R., which stands for Centro de Alto Rendimiento (or High Performance Center).

Once inside the CAR gates, there is really no reason to leave. The facility contains two grass fields, two ¾ fields, and one turf field, all in perfect condition. There is also a personal gym and a sand soccer field. As for living, the facility has two dorm buildings, a medical building, six locker rooms, a cafeteria and two game rooms with ping-pong tables, foosball tables and big screen TVs.

We are definitely spoiled here. As for food, we get a lot. For breakfast we have fruit, cereal, eggs, quesadillas, sandwiches and pancakes. For lunch and dinner we have soup, salad, fruit, two side dishes, fish, chicken and dessert. The best part for me is that it is all healthy food; I do not eat tacos or burritos every meal.

Aside from the luxury from soccer and food, we also get weekly massages and access to ice baths, a Jacuzzi and a steam room.

But the one thing I can’t get over is the view we have of the city.

There are usually 2-3 teams staying at the facility at once. This includes the main men’s and women’s teams, meaning the players that I always watch on TV and admire I see occasionally, like Chicharito, Rafa Marquez and other well-known players. Probably one of the coolest things is watching them play right in front of me and eat with them.

There is also a lot of media on a daily basis filming our practices and interviewing the coaches and players. Overall it is a very friendly,safe and lavish environment.

The CAR is my second home, but it is time to go to Costa Rica and prepare for our first round games against Colombia, China and Nigeria.