USMNT Leaves Fans Divided Over Captain Pick For World Cup
USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino unveiled the team that he's assembled for the upcoming FIFA World Cup. Some of the picks themselves were pretty controversial, but his decision on who will captain the team might be even more divisive.
On Saturday, the USMNT announced that longtime defender Tim Ream will serve as the captain for the World Cup. At 38 years of age, Ream is by far the oldest player on the team (starting goalkeeper Matt Turner doesn't turn 32 until midway through the tournament).
With 80 caps, he is also the second-most experienced member of the USMNT. Only Christian Pulisic has been capped more than he has.
Controversy
Ream has plenty of experience at the highest level of soccer. He spent a whopping 13 seasons playing in England for Bolton Wanderers and Fulham between 2012 and 2024. He currently plays for Major League Soccer's Charlotte FC and is in his 17th season of pro soccer.
But Ream also has the most tread on his tires out of any player on the team. And as the captain, he's going to be expected to spend the most time on the field out of almost player on the field.
Fans quickly started expressing concern that Ream simply won't be able to keep up with the younger, faster international opposition he'll be going up against. Others were angry that he was given the captain's armband over midfielder Tyler Adams, who served as the USMNT captain in the last World Cup in Qatar.
"Tyler Adams is and always has been the rightful captain. This is beyond dumb," one user declared.
"Of course we let the 40 year old pushin unc to captain this team than having Tyler Adams again but classic Poch I guess," wrote another.
"If Ream starts we are cooked. Should've been Tyler Adams," a third wrote.
"Hopefully he's wearing the armband from the bench."
"This is a CRAP decision by Poch. I really hope I'm wrong but Ream will be a liability and will get done for pace. I hope I am wrong."
"This is stupid. I get having him on the roster for leadership purposes or whatever I guess but he should NOT be starting."
Fans have already made their rather low opinions of the direction the USMNT is going in pretty clear. From Pochettino's controversial roster decisions to some of the lingering injuries to Pochettino's own impending departure from the team at the end of the World Cup cycle, expectations seem to be getting lower by the day.
Will Ream prove his doubters right, or will he prove worthy of Pochettino's trust in him?
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This story was originally published May 30, 2026 at 7:35 PM.