Los Angeles (United States) (AFP) – United States coach Mauricio Pochettino on Friday named Tyler Adams as his team’s captain through to the 2030 World Cup. Pochettino, speaking ahead of the USA’s friendly against Mexico in Arizona on Saturday, said Adams was the logical choice to lead the United States.
“I’m happy to announce and for everyone to know that he’s going to be our leader and captain,” Pochettino told reporters. “We’ve had a very good relationship the last three years and I think he knows what I expect. He’s a perfect role model for everyone in the way that he can translate the philosophy, the culture and represent (this) amazing country. He’s the player that can lead the period that we have ahead.”
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Adams, who plays for English Premier League club Bournemouth, is firmly established as one of the senior players in the USA squad. The 27-year-old captained the USA at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar under previous coach Gregg Berhalter. Pochettino named veteran defender Tim Ream as captain for this year’s World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Ream announced his retirement from international football earlier this week.
Adams, who will take over the armband for Saturday’s game against Mexico, said he wanted to “lead this group into a winning culture.” The midfielder added that he believed he had built greater experience since leading the USA as captain at the 2022 World Cup.
“In 2022, obviously we were a very young team, I think one of the youngest at the World Cup, and although I think I was ready for that role, at the same time I’ve had the ability to grow on and off the field in the period up to now,” Adams said. “Getting the armband doesn’t mean anything to me in being a leader or being different from who I am, I’m going to be the exact same person.”
© 2024 AFP
