Veteran midfielder Tyler Adams regained the captaincy of the U.S. men’s national team on Friday with the squad in the early stages of preparation for a run at the 2030 World Cup.
Defender Tim Ream was the captain this summer, when the U.S. reached the round of 16 before losing to Belgium. Ream, 38, announced Tuesday that he was retiring from international soccer, and the U.S. Soccer Federation honored him that night at a friendly against Chile in his hometown of St. Louis.
Adams, 27, was the USMNT’s captain at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where he played every minute. The U.S. lost in the round of 16 that year, falling to the Netherlands.
“Tyler is going to be our next — our new captain, our captain again,” U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino said Friday in Tempe, Ariz., ahead of the squad’s Saturday match vs. Mexico in Glendale, Ariz.
“I think we’ve been (in) a very good relationship in the last two years. I think we were talking a lot, and I think he knows what I expect, and he’s a perfect role model for everyone in the way that the philosophy, the future, representing that amazing country. I think he’s the player and the person that can lead that period that we have ahead. And I (say) congratulations.”
Adams replied, “I’m extremely honored and grateful for the opportunity. I think that, like Mauricio said, we’ve obviously built an amazing relationship over the past two years with all the staff, with my teammates here, going into this past World Cup.
“And I think as we start a new cycle, I’m excited to be able to help my teammates and the staff in any way possible in order to win, grow the federation and ultimately take that next step. So, I appreciate it.”
In 60 career matches for the USMNT, Adams has two goals — both against Mexico.
“Getting the armband, it doesn’t mean anything to me in being a leader or being different from who I am,” Adams said. “I’m gonna be the exact same person. I’m gonna try to lead this group into a winning culture and continue to build what we’re trying to build here. I want to represent my teammates in the best way possible. I want to represent the country in the best way possible, of course.”
Adams is in his fourth season with Bournemouth in England’s Premier League. He spent 2018-22 with RB Leipzig in Germany’s Bundesliga, then played the 2022-23 season with Leeds United in the Premier League.
The Wappingers Falls, N.Y., native began his career with Major League Soccer’s New York Red Bulls.
