After coming off the bench and being the spark that helped see the US get their first win against Mexico in Azteca Stadium, I sat down with Brek Shea to talk about that game, how the season has gone this year, the crippling effect that missing out on the Olympics had on him and what he needs to do in the off-season to continue to get better.

In addition to the interview which you can read after the jump, we also have this incredibly limited edition Brek Shea gift box to give away. And by incredibly limited, I mean this is the only one that exists. Win this contest and you will literally have something that no one else on the planet has. And that, is a pretty cool thing.

All you need to do to enter to win is “Like” TOW on Facebook, and leave us a message in the comments section of this post telling us why you should get this gift box. Now go get it!!

Interview with Brek after the jump.

Congratulations on the recent US game v Mexico. What was it like to beat Mexico in Azteca?

That was my first experience in Azteca, so I don’t know what it was like before. But that was one of top experiences. It was amazing to play there. It was amazing to win there. Just being there was awesome. Being able to play in a game that I have watched the US play in so many times before was amazing.

A lot of the talk since then has been about how getting a win in Azteca will help when you guys go down there for qualifying. What are your thoughts on that?

Yeah I think its proof that we can compete with any team in the world. We beat Italy in Italy and now we beat Mexico in Mexico. And everyone knows iot wasn’t the best team that we could assemble. But I think Juergen is trying to instill the confidence in the team that we can compete on any level.

This is the second game in a row against mexico where you have come off the bench and changed the game. Do you think there is something about your style of play that helps you match up well against them?

Maybe. I know with this recent game that I don’t like being on the bench and I wanted to play. So I knew if I got a chance to play I was going to try and make something happen. So as soon as he gave me the chence to get on the field I was just going to try and prove that I deserve to be on the field for a longer period next time. That’s kind of what was going through my head.

You certainly did that. Congratulations again. Let’s change directions real quick. Let’s talk about the MLS season. How do you feel the season has been going so far for you?

It’s been a pretty difficult season. It’s been up and down. I have had to get through some adversity. I think the team has gone through a rough patch or two which hasn’t been the best for me. I’m dealing with the loss of the Olympics, dealing with injuries and suspensions. I think it hasn’t been a good year for me. But I’ve learned a lot and I think its starting to turn around for me. Especially the game against Mexico helped a lot.

You mentioned missing out on the Olympics as being something that you have struggled to deal with.

It’s probably the hardest thing I have had to deal with in my life. Not just in soccer. How big the Olympics are for American athletes and wanting to get there so bad. Thinking you are going to be there. Knowing how good the team was and not qualifying was devastating.

Back to FC Dallas. You guys are currently fighting for a playoffs spot. What do you think needs to happen for you guys to make it to the playoffs?

Like I was saying, it has been a rough season for FC Dallas too. Lots of guys have suffered from injuries and suspensions and we haven’t had our starting 11 together for more than one game I don’t think. But the last couple games we have picked up some momentum. We are getting guys back from injury. David Ferreira is back. I think if we can get on a roll that hopefully we can get a chance at a playoffs spot.

Are there any particular areas of your game you feel like you have improved on this season, and areas you would like to improve on in the upcoming off-season?

I want to improve everything every year. I want to try and be the best I can be. I haven’t had a good year but I have learned to try and get over that. So I think the mental game has improved, even though it probably doesn’t look like it. I think having to grow through a lot has helped me grow.

Keeping with that topic of growing and improving, do you go into an off-season with a certain approach in terms of how you want to go about training and keep improving?

I just try to get stronger and faster. Make sure I keep in shape. There’s always things I look at wanting to improve like my right foot or me heading so I can go into preseason in good form.

Speaking of the training and getting quicker and faster, adidas has come out with new footwear that is all about speed and being light. How do you think this helps your training?

I think my speed is one of the biggest strengths I have. Running at people or defenders and definitely with this shoe being so light and comfortable whether it being synethetic or leather. Having these choices and also being that light definitely helps.

With products like the adiZero Feather, there is a lot of improvement in product technology. Do you notice that when you are playing or training?

Yeah, I think the michip technology that you can put in your shoe and have it during games and training and see how much you ran or if you are coming back from injury I can compare that to games before I was injured. Or if this game I don’t think I had a good game you can just compare it to other games. You can use it for training to make sure you are wowrking ahrd enough. Having that technology helps you be able to do that.

Changing topics real quick. Obviously you are a creative person both on and off the field. Do you think that having a creative mind away from the field helps you be more creative on the field?

Yeah, I think I use creativity to get away at times. There’s no right or wrong with how I do things when I play, just stiuff I like to try and do. Having that outlet I think helps. I don’t know if it helps with my creativity on the field. But I know that when I do something on a canvas, I look back and don’t remember doing it. If I’m on the field and I do a move I don’t really remember doing the move. I just did it. Sometimes I look back at film and see a move I did and don’t remember doing it. But I think creative minds just flow, you don’t have to think about it.

Speaking of art, what kids of things inspire some of the artwork you have been putting together?

I don’t know, I have a lot of different things that I have been experimenting with lately. Most of my work is abstract art, but when I’m out and about I see some things that I want to try and put on canvas. Anything can spark an idea.

Last art question. If you had a choice, would you rather have your featured in an art gallery or a museum?

Haha! I don’t know. I think I would rather have it in a gallery or a museum. Galleries are usually more contemporary so I would have to go with that.

What are some of your favorite things to do in your down time?

Hang out with my friends. Play video games. I have a dog I like to hang out with. Obviously the art. I like to relax too and not do too much. The sun here in Texas drains you so I just try and chill and recover.

What music are you listening to right now?

I listen to all kinds of music, but I listen to a lot of rap and hip hop to get hyped for games. Ive always been a big lil wayne fan. I downloaded 2 Chainz which just gets me excited for games.

Last movie you saw?

I saw batman at midnight the night it came out. I really liked it.

Your favorite all time adidas boot?

I would have to say the adiZeros. Ive been n F50 fan for awhile. They keep making shoes that keep getting better. I get upset not wanting to leave a certain cleat, but then I realize the next ones are even better. Im pretty amazed with what they have been doing with the shoes.

Do you have a favorite colorway?

Actually last year there was a purple, neon orange and a little bit of gold that has been my favorite color so far.

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Hopefully playing soccer somewhere. Hopefully playing with the national team and still playing soccer. You never know what can happen in five years but hopefully im still playing soccer.

Alright man, thanks for the time and best of luck with the rest of the season.

No problem my man, thank you.