Latest news with #Ream
08-07-2025
- Sport
Less than year from the World Cup, US player pool becomes a game of `Survivor'
Now comes the U.S. national team's version of 'Survivor.' Having expanded his player pool during a CONCACAF Gold Cup that ended with a 2-1 loss to Mexico in Sunday's final, coach Mauricio Pochettino has eight friendlies left from September through March to evaluate players to pick for the World Cup. 'All the American players have the possibility,' Pochettino said. 'We need analyze every single player, see the circumstances, the situations, performance, fitness level.' Following a CONCACAF Nations League flop with his A team in March, Pochettino had largely a B squad for the Gold Cup. Star Christian Pulisic wanted vacation time; Yunus Musah opted out for an undisclosed personal reason; Weston McKennie, Tim Weah and Gio Reyna were forced to be with their teams at the Club World Cup; Antonee Robinson and Folarin Balogun were hurt; and Sergiño Dest was regaining fitness. Defender Tim Ream and Tyler Adams were the only holdovers in the lineup against Mexico from the starters in the 2022 World Cup second-round loss to the Netherlands. Players who boosted themselves during the Gold Cup included goalkeeper Matt Freese, right back Alex Freeman, midfielders Malik Tillman and Sebastian Berhalter, and forward Patrick Agyemang. 'Guys have stepped up who were maybe taking a back seat previously, not that they're quiet mice and they just sit there and listen to everything,' said Ream, the 37-year-old who captained the U.S. against Mexico. Pochettino has 10 wins and six losses since replacing Gregg Berhalter last fall. A segment of the team's fan base was discouraged by last year's first-round elimination at the Copa America, this year's Nations League and a four-game losing streak entering the Gold Cup, the team's longest skid since 2007. Crowds that rooted overwhelming for Guatemala in the semifinals and Mexico in the final caused Pochettino to implore the American fan base to support its national team. 'I think it would have been different if we would have played in two stadiums, the other way around, both against Guatemala in St. Louis — 90 (%) to 10 for USA, and today, instead of 70,000 — I'm not saying 70, but 60 or 50,000 of our people supporting us,' he said Sunday. "But, well, this is what we have to deal with.' Even following Freese's emergence, the American goalkeeper pool is its weakest since the 1980s. Matt Turner has failed to establish himself with a top-tier European team, just like Zack Steffen. And given a chance to regain the starting spot after returning to Major League Soccer, Steffen got hurt ahead of the Gold Cup. Richards and Ream are the strongest of the central defenders, and Dest and Robinson the top choice at outside back with no clear No. 2s. Midfield has the most depth and no one has seized the striker position. Ex-players, including Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey and Tim Howard, have criticized the current player pool's dedication. Speaking late Sunday, Adams noted 'so much noise outside of what we were doing on the field' heading into the tournament. 'I told every single player after the game how proud I was just of the growth of every single individual,' Adams said. He said the positive culture Pochettino established over five weeks together has to be maintained for friendlies against South Korea on Sept. 6 and Japan three days later. 'I think it has to translate right away or I think Mauricio just probably won't call people in," Adams said. "The culture that we have, it doesn't matter who you are. If it's guys here that played well, if it's guys coming back into the group, if you're coming back from injury, just whatever it is, the culture and the emotion is the first thing that he wants to see.' There also will be a pair of friendlies in each of October, November and March, a possible January training camp mostly for MLS-based players and then two pre-World Cup send-off games in early June. 'The most important thing is to have our heads up," Pochettino said. "I have no doubt that we are going to be really, really competitive and going to be very difficult for the opponent.'
San Francisco Chronicle
07-07-2025
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
Less than year from the World Cup, US player pool becomes a game of `Survivor'
Now comes the U.S. national team's version of 'Survivor.' Having expanded his player pool during a CONCACAF Gold Cup that ended with a 2-1 loss to Mexico in Sunday's final, coach Mauricio Pochettino has eight friendlies left from September through March to evaluate players to pick for the World Cup. 'All the American players have the possibility,' Pochettino said. 'We need analyze every single player, see the circumstances, the situations, performance, fitness level.' Following a CONCACAF Nations League flop with his A team in March, Pochettino had largely a B squad for the Gold Cup. Star Christian Pulisic wanted vacation time; Yunus Musah opted out for an undisclosed personal reason; Weston McKennie, Tim Weah and Gio Reyna were forced to be with their teams at the Club World Cup; Antonee Robinson and Folarin Balogun were hurt; and Sergiño Dest was regaining fitness. Defender Tim Ream and Tyler Adams were the only holdovers in the lineup against Mexico from the starters in the 2022 World Cup second-round loss to the Netherlands. Players who boosted themselves during the Gold Cup included goalkeeper Matt Freese, right back Alex Freeman, midfielders Malik Tillman and Sebastian Berhalter, and forward Patrick Agyemang. 'Guys have stepped up who were maybe taking a back seat previously, not that they're quiet mice and they just sit there and listen to everything,' said Ream, the 37-year-old who captained the U.S. against Mexico. Pochettino has 10 wins and six losses since replacing Gregg Berhalter last fall. A segment of the team's fan base was discouraged by last year's first-round elimination at the Copa America, this year's Nations League and a four-game losing streak entering the Gold Cup, the team's longest skid since 2007. Crowds that rooted overwhelming for Guatemala in the semifinals and Mexico in the final caused Pochettino to implore the American fan base to support its national team. 'I think it would have been different if we would have played in two stadiums, the other way around, both against Guatemala in St. Louis — 90 (%) to 10 for USA, and today, instead of 70,000 — I'm not saying 70, but 60 or 50,000 of our people supporting us,' he said Sunday. "But, well, this is what we have to deal with.' Even following Freese's emergence, the American goalkeeper pool is its weakest since the 1980s. Matt Turner has failed to establish himself with a top-tier European team, just like Zack Steffen. And given a chance to regain the starting spot after returning to Major League Soccer, Steffen got hurt ahead of the Gold Cup. Richards and Ream are the strongest of the central defenders, and Dest and Robinson the top choice at outside back with no clear No. 2s. Midfield has the most depth and no one has seized the striker position. Ex-players, including Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey and Tim Howard, have criticized the current player pool's dedication. Speaking late Sunday, Adams noted 'so much noise outside of what we were doing on the field' heading into the tournament. 'I told every single player after the game how proud I was just of the growth of every single individual,' Adams said. He said the positive culture Pochettino established over five weeks together has to be maintained for friendlies against South Korea on Sept. 6 and Japan three days later. 'I think it has to translate right away or I think Mauricio just probably won't call people in," Adams said. "The culture that we have, it doesn't matter who you are. If it's guys here that played well, if it's guys coming back into the group, if you're coming back from injury, just whatever it is, the culture and the emotion is the first thing that he wants to see.' There also will be a pair of friendlies in each of October, November and March, a possible January training camp mostly for MLS-based players and then two pre-World Cup send-off games in early June. 'The most important thing is to have our heads up," Pochettino said. "I have no doubt that we are going to be really, really competitive and going to be very difficult for the opponent.' ___
Fox Sports
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Less than year from the World Cup, US player pool becomes a game of `Survivor'
Associated Press Now comes the U.S. national team's version of 'Survivor.' Having expanded his player pool during a CONCACAF Gold Cup that ended with a 2-1 loss to Mexico in Sunday's final, coach Mauricio Pochettino has eight friendlies left from September through March to evaluate players to pick for the World Cup. 'All the American players have the possibility,' Pochettino said. 'We need analyze every single player, see the circumstances, the situations, performance, fitness level.' Following a CONCACAF Nations League flop with his A team in March, Pochettino had largely a B squad for the Gold Cup. Star Christian Pulisic wanted vacation time; Yunus Musah opted out for an undisclosed personal reason; Weston McKennie, Tim Weah and Gio Reyna were forced to be with their teams at the Club World Cup; Antonee Robinson and Folarin Balogun were hurt; and Sergino Dest was regaining fitness. Defender Tim Ream and Tyler Adams were the only holdovers in the lineup against Mexico from the starters in the 2022 World Cup second-round loss to the Netherlands. Players who boosted themselves during the Gold Cup included goalkeeper Matt Freese, right back Alex Freeman, midfielders Malik Tillman and Sebastian Berhalter, and forward Patrick Agyemang. 'Guys have stepped up who were maybe taking a back seat previously, not that they're quiet mice and they just sit there and listen to everything,' said Ream, the 37-year-old who captained the U.S. against Mexico. Pochettino has 10 wins and six losses since replacing Gregg Berhalter last fall. A segment of the team's fan base was discouraged by last year's first-round elimination at the Copa America, this year's Nations League and a four-game losing streak entering the Gold Cup, the team's longest skid since 2007. Crowds that rooted overwhelming for Guatemala in the semifinals and Mexico in the final caused Pochettino to implore the American fan base to support its national team. 'I think it would have been different if we would have played in two stadiums, the other way around, both against Guatemala in St. Louis — 90 (%) to 10 for USA, and today, instead of 70,000 — I'm not saying 70, but 60 or 50,000 of our people supporting us,' he said Sunday. "But, well, this is what we have to deal with.' Even following Freese's emergence, the American goalkeeper pool is its weakest since the 1980s. Matt Turner has failed to establish himself with a top-tier European team, just like Zack Steffen. And given a chance to regain the starting spot after returning to Major League Soccer, Steffen got hurt ahead of the Gold Cup. Richards and Ream are the strongest of the central defenders, and Dest and Robinson the top choice at outside back with no clear No. 2s. Midfield has the most depth and no one has seized the striker position. Ex-players, including Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey and Tim Howard, have criticized the current player pool's dedication. Speaking late Sunday, Adams noted 'so much noise outside of what we were doing on the field' heading into the tournament. 'I told every single player after the game how proud I was just of the growth of every single individual,' Adams said. He said the positive culture Pochettino established over five weeks together has to be maintained for friendlies against South Korea on Sept. 6 and Japan three days later. 'I think it has to translate right away or I think Mauricio just probably won't call people in," Adams said. "The culture that we have, it doesn't matter who you are. If it's guys here that played well, if it's guys coming back into the group, if you're coming back from injury, just whatever it is, the culture and the emotion is the first thing that he wants to see.' There also will be a pair of friendlies in each of October, November and March, a possible January training camp mostly for MLS-based players and then two pre-World Cup send-off games in early June. 'The most important thing is to have our heads up," Pochettino said. "I have no doubt that we are going to be really, really competitive and going to be very difficult for the opponent.' ___ AP freelance writer Jeremy Rakes in Houston contributed to this report. ___ AP soccer:
Winnipeg Free Press
07-07-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Less than year from the World Cup, US player pool becomes a game of `Survivor'
Now comes the U.S. national team's version of 'Survivor.' Having expanded his player pool during a CONCACAF Gold Cup that ended with a 2-1 loss to Mexico in Sunday's final, coach Mauricio Pochettino has eight friendlies left from September through March to evaluate players to pick for the World Cup. 'All the American players have the possibility,' Pochettino said. 'We need analyze every single player, see the circumstances, the situations, performance, fitness level.' Following a CONCACAF Nations League flop with his A team in March, Pochettino had largely a B squad for the Gold Cup. Star Christian Pulisic wanted vacation time; Yunus Musah opted out for an undisclosed personal reason; Weston McKennie, Tim Weah and Gio Reyna were forced to be with their teams at the Club World Cup; Antonee Robinson and Folarin Balogun were hurt; and Sergiño Dest was regaining fitness. Defender Tim Ream and Tyler Adams were the only holdovers in the lineup against Mexico from the starters in the 2022 World Cup second-round loss to the Netherlands. Players who boosted themselves during the Gold Cup included goalkeeper Matt Freese, right back Alex Freeman, midfielders Malik Tillman and Sebastian Berhalter, and forward Patrick Agyemang. 'Guys have stepped up who were maybe taking a back seat previously, not that they're quiet mice and they just sit there and listen to everything,' said Ream, the 37-year-old who captained the U.S. against Mexico. Pochettino has 10 wins and six losses since replacing Gregg Berhalter last fall. A segment of the team's fan base was discouraged by last year's first-round elimination at the Copa America, this year's Nations League and a four-game losing streak entering the Gold Cup, the team's longest skid since 2007. Crowds that rooted overwhelming for Guatemala in the semifinals and Mexico in the final caused Pochettino to implore the American fan base to support its national team. 'I think it would have been different if we would have played in two stadiums, the other way around, both against Guatemala in St. Louis — 90 (%) to 10 for USA, and today, instead of 70,000 — I'm not saying 70, but 60 or 50,000 of our people supporting us,' he said Sunday. 'But, well, this is what we have to deal with.' Even following Freese's emergence, the American goalkeeper pool is its weakest since the 1980s. Matt Turner has failed to establish himself with a top-tier European team, just like Zack Steffen. And given a chance to regain the starting spot after returning to Major League Soccer, Steffen got hurt ahead of the Gold Cup. Richards and Ream are the strongest of the central defenders, and Dest and Robinson the top choice at outside back with no clear No. 2s. Midfield has the most depth and no one has seized the striker position. Ex-players, including Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey and Tim Howard, have criticized the current player pool's dedication. Speaking late Sunday, Adams noted 'so much noise outside of what we were doing on the field' heading into the tournament. 'I told every single player after the game how proud I was just of the growth of every single individual,' Adams said. He said the positive culture Pochettino established over five weeks together has to be maintained for friendlies against South Korea on Sept. 6 and Japan three days later. 'I think it has to translate right away or I think Mauricio just probably won't call people in,' Adams said. 'The culture that we have, it doesn't matter who you are. If it's guys here that played well, if it's guys coming back into the group, if you're coming back from injury, just whatever it is, the culture and the emotion is the first thing that he wants to see.' There also will be a pair of friendlies in each of October, November and March, a possible January training camp mostly for MLS-based players and then two pre-World Cup send-off games in early June. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. 'The most important thing is to have our heads up,' Pochettino said. 'I have no doubt that we are going to be really, really competitive and going to be very difficult for the opponent.' ___ AP freelance writer Jeremy Rakes in Houston contributed to this report. ___ AP soccer:
USA Today
06-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
'Why not?' - Ream eyes another World Cup as USMNT resurgence continues
ST. LOUIS — Just like everybody else, Tim Ream thought the 2022 World Cup would be his only one. Amid a career renaissance at Fulham, Ream made his first World Cup squad at age 35 and went on to play every minute for the U.S. men's national team in Qatar. It was a remarkable turnaround for a player who, prior to being selected for the World Cup roster, hadn't played for the USMNT in more than a year. But after the World Cup, the center back didn't harbor any illusions about running it back on home soil in three and a half years. "I was 35 at the time. And I was thinking, 'OK, that was my one and only World Cup,'" Ream told reporters in the mixed zone on Wednesday. The Charlotte FC defender was speaking after the USMNT defeated Guatemala 2-1 in the semifinal of the Gold Cup, a tournament in which the prospect of the veteran making yet another World Cup squad has grown ever more plausible. Though many would have expected Mark McKenzie to partner Chris Richards at center back for the Gold Cup, Ream has instead captained the team and played every minute alongside the Crystal Palace man. "Tim is a very experienced player," Richards said. "I've tried to learn a lot off of him over the last few years. And I think it's just our moment right now." Ream put in another strong performance on Wednesday in his hometown of St. Louis, helping fend off a Guatemala side inspired by a crowd filled with its own supporters. Playing home games in front of hostile crowds may have been new for some of the USMNT's inexperienced players, but Ream told his teammates that it's all part of the territory. "The guys were actually asking me," Ream said. "They looked at me and they're like, 'What is that?' "I said, 'Honestly, if we're playing Central American teams, that's just what you're going to get.'" He added: "That right there is vitally important for the guys who haven't experienced it. I told them, 'This is Concacaf. This is what it is. So take a breath and get used to it.'" Ream's experience and wisdom are important, but they wouldn't mean much if he wasn't also still contributing on the pitch. For the Gold Cup at least, Mauricio Pochettino has determined that Ream, even at 37 and no longer in the Premier League, is still the best option. The USMNT isn't blessed with a plethora of center back options. Richards has entrenched himself as a clear starter but alongside him, the race appears to be open. Suddenly, another World Cup doesn't seem like such a distant possibility for Ream, who will be 38 when the tournament kicks off in the United States next summer. "The more I thought about it I was like, 'Well, why does it have to be [my only World Cup]?'" Ream said. "Everyone else can try to retire me, but I'm still going, still playing. Why not? Why not continue on? Why not put that goal out there of getting to another one? "So I did, and that's where I am. Whether I get there or not, it's not solely down to me I know, but it is solely down to me as well."
