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Tyler Adams is reportedly set to be named as the USA captain for the World Cup in Qatar.
The midfielder, 23, is going to be awarded the armband by coach Gregg Berhalter, according to FOX Sports.
Their report adds that Berhalter allowed his team to vote on who should take on the captaincy for the tournament and it is Adams who came out on top. It adds that Berhalter plans to confirm the call officially at a Sunday press conference in Qatar.
Other options for the role could have been Christian Pulisic, 24, widely regarded as the team’s top talent, or Walker Zimmerman, 29, who is a projected starter at center back and one of the oldest players in the squad.
Both have captained the side before.
It won’t be the first time Tyler Adams has worn the captain’s armband for his country
USA starts its World Cup on Monday against Wales in Group B, followed by games against England and Iran. Adams has played 32 times for the United States and has scored once.
He plays his club football for English Premier League team Leeds United. He was signed by American coach Jesse Marsch for the team in July, leaving German side RB Leipzig to head to England.
Adams has impressed in his 13 appearances so far for Leeds but was sent off in his last game before the World Cup, which was a narrow 4-3 defeat to Tottenham.
Writing for The Athletic about the USA team ahead of the tournament, Marsch drew particular attention to Adams and his defensive skills.
He currently plays for Leeds United in England’s Premier League
Marsch said: ‘It’s one of the beauties of Tyler Adams. He takes pride in not allowing his defensive responsibilities to slip.
‘And you need players that are committed to that — that are disciplined, focused, concentrated on exactly those strategies.’
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Tyler celebrates winning the DFB Pokal for RB Leipzig with his girlfriend Sarah Schmidt
Adams has worn the captain’s armband nine times for the USMNT prior to the World Cup.
He first wore it on June 9, 2021 in a 4-0 friendly win vs. Costa Rica.
Adams ascended to the USMNT first team through the ranks of the U-17 and U-20 squads.
He played in a World Cup at each of those levels, in Chile and South Korea respectively.
He made his debut for the USMNT senior squad on November 14, 2017, in a 1-1 friendly vs. Portugal.
Adams is one of the team’s most important players, along with Weston McKennie and Pulisic
At that time, Adams was playing for the New York Red Bulls of MLS, where he broke through the first team at 17.
He spent two more seasons there in Harrison, New Jersey, becoming a starter for his now-Leeds manager Marsch, who hailed the USMNT Golden Generation, before moving to New York’s sister club RB Leipzig in 2018.
There, it was an up-and-down four years for the young American, who often found himself a bit-part player at the Champions League club as he struggled with injuries.
He did however start 21 league games in the 2020-21 season, and scored a winning goal in the 2019-20 Champions League to send Leipzig to the semifinals.
He moved to Leeds last summer in search of more regular playing time, and has found that again under Marsch as he’s quickly established himself as a regular starter.
Off the field, Tyler is supported by girlfriend Sarah Schmidt, who will be in Qatar to cheer him on along with his family.
