It was a big Premier League moment for the USMNT and its supporters last Saturday: Tyler Adams returned to the pitch. The midfielder, who captained the United States in the 2022 World Cup, made his first appearance since the Copa América, coming on in the 81st minute to help Bournemouth secure a 1-1 draw against Aston Villa at Villa Park. With nine minutes of action, Adams’ presence indicated perhaps the best is yet to come, not just for him but for the USMNT as well.
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Adams had been out since late July following back surgery. An extremely long period of recuperation kept USMNT fans on their toes, but when he finally returned to the pitch-albeit a little behind schedule-a sense of relief washed over and hope was restored. After all, Adams is that ingredient in the lineup that brings balance to the USMNT midfield.
Of course, when he stepped onto the field on Saturday, replacing Ryan Christie, Bournemouth was still down 1-0; just minutes later came the equalizer via Evanilson’s foot in the 96th minute. Adams’ performance, even with limited time on the field, showed his ability to control the tempo of the game-something the USMNT often misses when he’s absent.
Since last spring 2023, Adams has struggled with injuries. He has only been able to bring the best of himself a few times with both Bournemouth and USMNT with his tendon and back problems. Since signing in from Leeds United this season, he has only managed to put together four outings and 148 minutes.
Even with just a few minutes, Adams’ return to the pitch was an important step in his recovery from his latest setback. Adams himself took to social media post-game, saying, “It’s been a long road. Excited to be back with the boys. Thanks for everyone’s support along the way.” In this, the message carves not only the joy of being back but also the patience and determination he had to develop through this difficult time.
Tyler Adams is a must for the USMNT. Overall, undeniably, he has the quality, mostly needed to play as number 6. The ability to cover much ground, distribute the balls with pinpoint accuracy, and conduct midfield makes him a key player-a thing that new coach Mauricio Pochettino will surely be eager to test.
Without him, the US Men’s National Team loses in fervency and control in defense. During the 2022 World Cup, Adams was the anchor in the team, even during demanding times. During the Copa América, he even shone, with an important goal against Mexico, but actually was far from his best, competing at 70 or 80 percent of his powers. The injuries finally took their toll, and Adams had to undergo a very long recuperation process.
With a view to the 2026 World Cup, one would hope that Adams gets back to full form and leads the USMNT on home soil. As the player himself knows, though, the road is long and fraught with patience. It is not just a matter of being back on the pitch but of having form in hand to face international challenges and your rhythm.
In that regard, his next chance to prove development will likely be this coming November’s USMNT camp heading into Concacaf Nations League quarterfinals versus Jamaica. It would indeed be big for the team to have him and get him acclimated to Pochettino’s system. Even a limited presence might make the difference in important matches like this one.
Adams’ return is also a relief for manager Andoni Iraola, who is still fighting with many problems in the team during this season in the Premier League. Certainly, having a player of Adams’ experience and skill could be a critical factor in avoiding some lower spots in the table. Although his debut was short, the midfielder’s presence has signaled that he is ready to fight for his club’s place in England’s top tier.
Over the years, Adams has earned himself a reputation for fighting spirit and tenacity on the pitch, and his captaincy is a quality on which Bournemouth can draw, even when things are at their most grim this season. Provided he can keep clear of injury, the American midfielder may yet prove to be an important cog in their resurgence.
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