IRVINE, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 28: Head coach Mauricio Pochettino of the United States talks with Tyler Adams during a training session at Great Park Sports Complex on June 28, 2026 in Irvine, California. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
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U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Mauricio Pochettino named veteran midfielder Tyler Adams as the team’s captain last week.
A perfect choice.
After all, Adams has had serious experience in the position, skippering the Americans at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Many fans, media, and observers remember how he deftly handled difficult and controversial questions from the Iranian media before the group-stage match between the United States and the Middle Eastern country at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
We’ll get to that in a minute. But let’s hear why Pochettino named the 27-year-old defensive midfielder as captain.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – OCTOBER 1: (L-R) Tyler Adams and the head coach Mauricio Pochettino of the United States speak with members of the media during a press conference ahead of the international friendly match against Mexico at Westin Tempe on October 1, 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Omar Vega/Getty Images)
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A smooth relationship
“I think we’ve been [in] a very good relationship in the last two years,” Pochettino said in a pregame press conference on Friday, a day before the U.S. defeated Mexico on Saturday, 3-0. “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 was humbled.
“I’m extremely honored and grateful for the opportunity,” he said at the press conference. “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.”
Adams will replace center back Tim Ream, who announced his retirement from the USMNT last week.
GLENDALE, ARIZONA – OCTOBER 3: Tyler Adams #4 of the United States celebrates a goal during a game between United States and Mexico at State Farm Stadium on October 3, 2026 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Robin Alam/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)
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Pochettino said his decision to name a captain was made in conjunction with his staff.
According to ESPN.com, when asked if Adams would be captain through the 2030 FIFA World Cup, Pochettino replied that the midfielder would, “If he behaved well.”
The coach was only kidding, but that shouldn’t be a problem.
Adams showed maturity beyond his age as a teenager with the New York Red Bulls.
“I think getting the armband doesn’t mean anything to me in being a leader or being different from who I am,” Adams said. “I’m going to be the exact same person. I’m going to try and obviously lead this group into a winning culture and continue to build what we’re trying to build here. So yeah, I want to represent my teammates in the best way possible.”
A team captain can mean so many things.
They can be a conduit between the coaching staff and the team.
They can be leaders on and off the field.
They can be talkative.
They can lead by example.
And sometimes they need to be diplomats.
USA’s midfielder Tyler Adams (R) and coach Gregg Berhalter give a press conference at the Qatar National Convention Center (QNCC) in Doha on November 28, 2022, on the eve of the Qatar 2022 World Cup football match between Iran and USA. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP via Getty Images)
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Adams shows his off-the-field diplomacy
Which brings us to the pre-game press conference before the USA-Iran World Cup match in Qatar on Nov. 28, 2022.
An Iran’s Press TV reporter chastised Adams for the pronunciation of Iran. Pronounced Iran as “Eye-ran,” instead of #E-ran.” He apologized.
The reporter then asked, “Are you OK to be representing a country that has so much discrimination against Black people?”
To which Adams, a Black man who grew up in a White family in Wappingers Falls, N.Y., replied, “There’s discrimination everywhere you go. One thing that I’ve learned, especially from living abroad in the past years and having to fit in in different cultures and kind of assimilating to different cultures, is that in the U.S. we’re continuing to make progress every single day.”
Adams has always been mature beyond his years.
HARRISON, NEW JERSEY- November 29: Tyler Adams #4 of New York Red Bulls challenged by Leandro Gonzalez #5 of Atlanta United during the New York Red Bulls Vs Atlanta United FC MLS Eastern Conference Final second leg at Red Bull Arena on November 29th, 2018 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)
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Mature beyond his years
This writer experienced it firsthand as a teenager with the New York Red Bulls in 2018.
The night the Red Bulls, the Supporters’ Shield champions, were eliminated from the MLS Cup Playoffs, he answered question after question about the season and loss. Besides covering the match, another website had asked me to write a feature about Adams from his youth days. I told the Red Bulls communications director what I needed. I waited for most of the game-related questions to be asked and answered (you give anyone on deadline the first crack).
Then I asked my questions. They were not game-related.
Adams answered them like a pro. He did not look perturbed. Not surprisingly, he gave me a great story.
I thanked him for taking the time, and he said he was welcome.
That said so much about him.
As long as Tyler Adams stays healthy for club (Bournemouth in the Premier League in England) and for country, we should expect the defensive midfielder to wear the captain’s armband for a good amount of time.
Michael Lewis, the sixth recipient of the Clay Berling Media Career of Excellence Award in 2025, can be followed on X an Bluesky at @Soccerwriter. His 10th soccer book, Around the World Cup in 40 Years: An American sportswriter’s perspective, has been published.
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