Not many nationwide groups are relying closely on gamers pushing near 40-years-old, however the U.S. males’s nationwide workforce are a type of uncommon exceptions.
Tim Ream is again within the USMNT fold as this system prepares for its penultimate window of 2025. The previous longtime Fulham defender, who has remained a relentless performer for Charlotte FC, has made 11 appearances for the USMNT this 12 months, sporting the captain’s armband in 10 matches.
With Ream being the elder statesman of the squad, his expertise is definitely worthwhile to the youthful defenders and gamers.
“Once I consider Tim, I consider poise, I feel management, I consider management in each facet,” USMNT midfielder Cristian Roldan stated about Ream throughout a press convention Monday. “He brings a unique aura to the workforce, and he creates a extremely good surroundings, a extremely welcoming surroundings for lots of men, and that’s the kind of chief that we want.”
Ream has made 30 appearances for Charlotte FC this season, whereas additionally including his 11 USMNT caps to his prolonged stat listing. The 38-year-old has confirmed zero indicators of slowing down for membership or nation, remaining a viable choice for the FIFA World Cup subsequent summer season.
Chris Richards, Mark McKenzie, Miles Robinson, and Cameron Carter-Vickers could also be youthful choices in protection, however Ream is able to do no matter is required to play a task within the USMNT heading right into a highly-anticipated 2026.
“I’ve at all times maintained that I’ll push myself to absolutely the most and convey each ounce of taking part in time that I can out of my physique and my thoughts,” Ream stated. “That’s what I’m going to proceed to do. I’m going to proceed to push to be a starter.
“If I’m the outdated man within the nook handing out orange slices and giving pep talks to those guys, then okay, I’ve nonetheless contributed one thing to the workforce surroundings within the tradition,” Ream added. “However my goal and my objective is to be beginning video games.”
Ream’s impression has not solely helped him stay a frontrunner throughout Mauricio Pochettino’s time as head coach. He’s additionally helped play an inspirational function to different veterans within the squad, corresponding to Seattle Sounders midfielder Cristian Roldan.
Roldan, whose September appearances have been his first in USMNT colours since 2023, credited Ream’s tireless work fee in serving to him not surrender on his continued targets of being a frontrunner for this system.
“He’s revitalized his Nationwide Workforce profession at an older age,” Roldan stated of Ream. “It supplied me with just a little bit extra added motivation to get again right here with the workforce, to actually imagine that I may get right here. He’s an instance that you would be able to not solely play at a extremely excessive degree however maintain that all through your profession.”
Each Ream and Roldan will goal to function in opposition to Ecuador and Australia within the coming seven days.