USMNT
Tyler Adams, Irreplaceable MVP
Tyler Adams has been blossoming under Nagelsmann at RB Leipzig this season. I made a data visualization to highlight Adams’ strengths & will analyze how this data translates on the pitch and to his roles for Leipzig and USMNT.
To clarify, Adams has played a good amount of time in the right back and wingback position for Leipzig. In many cases, he’s played both defensive midfielder and fullback in games. However, I am going to be focusing on his data and play from the defensive midfield role, since that is what he plays for the USMNT.
Defense
Adams’ main job is to disrupt offensive play whether it is through stopping counters or shielding the backline. Adams is where you want him to be when it comes to interceptions and tackling numbers, in the upper right quartile. Averaging 1.5 interceptions and 2.52 tackles per 90. They aren’t mind-blowing numbers but they are solid.
While his defensive numbers aren’t mind-blowing, he is one of the most secure tacklers in the league at his position. Coming in at 6th in the league for the percentage of dribblers tackled. He may not make the most tackles in the league but he’s a strong, accurate tackler.
What data doesn’t show you is how good Adams is at reading the game, anticipating threats, and denying space to attackers. He doesn’t allow attackers time and space on the ball. A great example of this below. Adams recognizes that the space in the middle of the pitch right above the penalty box is open. This area, zone 14, is the biggest threat to a defense and must be protected at all costs. So what does he do? He immediately presses and closes off the angle towards the middle not allowing the attacker any time and space to turn and attack towards goal.
In this second example, Tyler knows he can’t let the Frankfurt attacker turn because he will have plentiful space to carry the ball towards goal. At the same time, there is another Frankfurt attacker making a run in behind the defense that the player with the ball could pass to. With Tyler’s quick recognition and the physical athleticism to match it, he extinguishes the threat as quick as it appeared.
Instead of leaving his centre-back in a 1v1 scenario with Mane, Adams recognizes the opportunity for a trap. He immediately runs over to force Mane down to the corner, triggering the trap. No fancy slide tackles, just recognizing how to deny Mane space to attack.
Adams’ reading of the game is so good that in most cases he doesn’t have to make tackles or interceptions to win possession back for his team. Closing down and denying attackers space is his specialty. This is a skill and ability that is invaluable to any team under any coach.
This ability that Tyler has is a combination of quick reading of the game with lighting acceleration to close down his opponents. It’s mind and matter. Many players have speed, acceleration, quickness, athleticism but rarely have it combined with a mind that is just as fast at reading the game, recognizing threats, and reacting to them properly. This is what makes Tyler Adams so valuable to know only his club team but his national team as well.
Possession
On to perhaps Tyler’s most overlooked aspect of his game. His contribution in the build-up. Adams gets 78.4 touches per 90, and carries the ball a total of 254.2 yards per 90. Adams is on the ball… a lot. He’s very much involved in and key to the Leipzig build up. Nagelsmann refers to Adams as his quarterback for a reason. In build up, everything starts and flows through him.
Often as the lone defensive midfielder in possession, Adams can’t afford to make a mistake or it exposes the entire team to a possible goal scoring opportunity for the opponents. His ball security is excellent and a big reason why he is tied for 7th in Pass Completion Percentage, 86.1%, out of all midfielders in the Bundesliga.
Passing
Adams’ job for Leipzig is to beat that first line of defense with a pass or dribbling. He’ll often make himself available as an outlet when the team wins the ball and starts the build-up. He’s also available to recycle and circulate play when in the attacking phase. Progressing the ball from the defense to the midfield was an area that the USMNT really struggled in against Honduras.
This is an example of Tyler dropping back and making himself available and playing a pass into the attacking third. Beating not only the first but also the second line of defense.
Here’s an example of Tyler making himself available to recycle play and it ends up being a goal-scoring opportunity with a nice through ball from him.
This leads me to another underrated aspect of Tyler’s game… his excellent on-the-ground passing. A common misconception of Tyler is that he isn’t a very good passer. This is simply, just not true. He’s improved his passing and decision-making with every season. He is capable of playing great line-breaking passes, on-the-ground through balls, and make these passes with both his feet. The video below showcases him making an excellent through ball with his weaker left foot.
Another example of his underrated on the ground through ball passing ability. He threads a brilliant through ball that immediately takes 5 opposing players out of the play.
Now, you might have noticed I kept saying “on-the-ground.” It’s because while he’s very comfortable and fantastic at playing passes on-the-ground, it’s the over-the-top or in-the-air long passes that he struggles with. A skill, that if he improves it, could elevate him to the next level.
Conclusion
If there was one word to describe Adams it would be safe. If Adams were an attacker, that wouldn’t be a good thing. But as a lone defensive mid, safe is everything. Adams makes little to no mistakes. He plays simple but effective football. He’s smart, disciplined, and consistent.
Currently, Adams is irreplaceable for the USMNT. There is no one in the current pool that provides a fraction of what he provides for the USMNT and is anywhere near his level. This was clearly evident in the Nations League match against Honduras. While USMNT depth is deep at several positions, the #6 role is one that is severely lacking. Adams is one of the few players that the USMNT can’t afford to lose for competitive matches.
Since Tyler Adams has been a part of the national team picture, the USMNT has lost twice to Mexico and won once. The one time the US won was when Tyler Adams played. While there are other variables involved in these games, the impact of Adams playing against Mexico can’t be denied.
El Tri has a blistering counterattack under Tata Martino led by lightning Chucky Lozano and Diego Lainez. The transitional defense of the USMNT has been poor under Berhalter but having Tyler Adams disrupting the counters can make up for not all but some of the tactical deficiencies. Adams’ defensive awareness, positional soundness, passing, and athleticism will all be crucial to have for Mexico.
Adams is perhaps the smartest (Soccer IQ) player USMNT currently has. No one reads and understands the game as well as he does. No one is able to process information and act accordingly mid-game as quickly as he is able to. No one is able to close down attackers and deny space as rapidly as him. Tyler is the most important player for the USMNT as of right now.
Every winning team, club or international, has a superb defensive midfielder. The USMNT is lucky to have Adams who at his ripe age of 22 is already proving to be one of the best young defensive midfielders in not only the Bundesliga, but the world. Adams has an incredible hunger to learn and improve which is why he will only continue to grow and excel with every passing year.
Tyler Adams may not grab all the headlines and may not have the flashiest highlight reels but his importance to the USMNT can’t be overstated.
Club News
The constructing of a World Cup roster
Thomas Deschaine (@uskeeper on X and us_keeper on Instagram)
With the September FIFA window now in the rearview mirror, and only three more windows left before final rosters are set in late May or early June 2026, Mauricio Pochettino has drawn a clear line.
He’s stated that September’s camp was the “last camp to have the possibility for new faces.”
If we take him at his word, the nearly 70 players who’ve been called across six camps and the Gold Cup will form the pool from which he selects the 2026 World Cup squad.
Of the 60 players named to the 2025 Gold Cup provisional roster, only five, Maxi Dietz, Richie Ledezma, Tim Tillman, Caleb Wiley, and Griffin Yow, have yet to appear on a #USMNT roster under Pochettino.
Comparing the 2025 Nations League provisional roster to the Gold Cup list reveals over a dozen different players, raising the question: are these minor differences simply the edges of the player pool Pochettino intends to draw from?
Goalkeepers
Nine goalkeepers have been called into Pochettino’s camps, but it’s clear that Matt Freese is his first-choice right now, with Matt Turner likely the No. 2 as we sit just 10 months from the World Cup.
- Chris Brady
- Drake Callender
- Roman Celentano
- Matt Freese
- Ethan Horvath
- Jonathan Klinsmann
- Diego Kochen
- Patrick Schulte
- Zack Steffen
- Matt Turner
Fullbacks
Outside of Sergiño Dest and Antonee Robinson, the USMNT’s fullback depth remains a concern. Pochettino appears high on MLS defenders Alex Freeman and Max Arfsten, while Caleb Wiley, though yet to feature in a USMNT camp but named to recent provisional rosters, could still be on his depth chart.
- Max Arfsten
- Sergino Dest
- Alex Freeman
- Marlon Fossey
- DeJuan Jones
- Kristoffer Lund
- Shaquell Moore
- Antonee Robinson
- Joe Scally
- John Tolkin
Centerbacks
Center back remains another position with uncertain depth. Chris Richards and the veteran Tim Ream look like locks for now, leaving three spots up for grabs. If Pochettino opts for a back three, that tactical shift could influence which players ultimately make the cut. Notably, Jackson Ragen and Maxi Dietz are the only center backs from the recent provisional rosters who haven’t been called into a USMNT camp.
- Noahkai Banks
- Tristan Blackmon
- George Campbell
- Cameron Carter-Vickers
- Mark McKenzie
- Tim Ream
- Chris Richards
- Miles Robinson
- Auston Trusty
- Walker Zimmerman
Central Midfielders
The central midfield position is the deepest for the #USMNT, with many players in the pool capable of also playing fullback, center back, or winger. Although Richie Ledezma has primarily played as a right back and right wing-back for his current club and for PSV last season, USMNT coaches view him primarily as a midfielder. This likely explains why he hasn’t yet been called into a USMNT camp.
- Tyler Adams
- Sebastian Berhalter
- Gianluca Busio
- Johnny Cardoso
- Ben Cremaschi
- Luca de la Torre
- Emeka Eneli
- Jack McGlynn
- Weston McKennie
- Aidan Morris
- Yunus Musah
- Tanner Tessmann
- Sean Zawadzki
Attacking Midfielders
There are several players at this position who could add real quality and play pivotal roles for the #USMNT at next summer’s World Cup. Gio Reyna remains a major question mark, but his talent is undeniable. With his recent club change, there’s hope he can return to the high level of form we’ve seen from him in the past.
- Brenden Aaronson
- Paxten Aaronson
- Brian Gutiérrez
- Djordje Mihailovic
- Matko Miljevic
- Gio Reyna
- Malik Tillman
Wingers
The winger position remains thin for the #USMNT, though several players there can also slot in as attacking midfielders, strikers, or even fullback. Notably, two young wingers, Cole Campbell and Griffin Yow, appeared on provisional rosters but have yet to be called into any Pochettino camp.
- Cade Cowell
- Diego Luna
- Christian Pulisic
- Quinn Sullivan
- Indiana Vassilev
- Tim Weah
- Haji Wright
- Alejandro Zendejas
Strikers
Another area of concern for the USMNT is striker depth. While the top options have all produced well for their clubs when healthy, injuries have kept the pool thin. If everyone is fit, the primary competition for the starting role likely comes down to three players: Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi, and Josh Sargent. Haji Wright and Tim Weah can also step in as center-forward options if needed.
- Patrick Agyemang
- Folarin Balogun
- Damion Downs
- Jesus Ferreira
- Ricardo Pepi
- Josh Sargent
- Brandon Vazquez
- Brian White
Conclusion
It’s tough to read Pochettino’s mindset right now. Many expect fewer MLS players to be called for the October window, partly because the league continues through FIFA dates and the regular season ends mid-October.
Most World Cup rosters largely select themselves, with only a few surprising omissions, think of the 1994 squad, which left out several players many felt deserved a spot.
But with Pochettino still showing a shaky grasp of the USMNT player pool, this cycle could produce more notable snubs than ever, though there’s still time for him to get it right.
USMNT
Launching Caring Excellence in Northern Kentucky
USMNT
Concacaf Gold Cup is becoming tarnished
Thomas Deschaine (@uskeeper on X and us_keeper on Instagram)
Not long ago, winning your confederation’s tournament earned a spot in the FIFA Confederations Cup, a prestigious competition held in the World Cup host nation the summer before the world’s biggest tournament.
The tournament featured the champions of all six confederations (AFC, CAF, CONCACAF, CONMEBOL, OFC, and UEFA), along with the reigning FIFA World Cup winner and the host nation, rounding out the field to eight teams. The tournament was last played in 2017.
The Concacaf Gold Cup is a semi-cycle tournament played in the first and third years of the cycle. The CAF Africa Cup of Nations is the only other confederation that plays two tournaments a cycle, and in many circles, the frequency of the Concacaf Gold Cup and the addition of the Concacaf Nations League has made the Gold Cup a throwaway tournament for the USMNT, as it’s been six years since the so called A list player pool has played in the event.
It raises the question for FIFA and Concacaf: should the Gold Cup be played once a cycle, and should FIFA consider bringing back the Confederations Cup?
The USMNT won the inaugural Gold Cup in 1991 and has claimed seven of the 17 editions since. Only two other CONCACAF nations Mexico (9) and Canada (1)—have lifted the trophy, and both are contenders in this edition.
The USMNT has a strong track record at the Gold Cup, finishing first in their group every year except 2011. They’ve reached 12 finals, with a record of 69 wins, 12 draws, and 9 losses, scoring 189 goals and conceding just 60
Gold Cup Player Stats
Across 17 editions of the Gold Cup, the USMNT has netted 189 goals, conceded just 60, and recorded 50 clean sheets. Here’s a look at the players who made it happen, those who found the back of the net, and those who kept it out.
Goals
18-Landon Donovan
13-Clint Dempsey
9-Eric Wynalda
8-Brian McBride
7-Jesus Ferreira
Assists
16-Landon Donovan
7-Michael Bradley
6-DaMarcus Beasley
6-Alejandro Bedoya
6-Eric Wynalda
5-Clint Dempsey
Wins
17-Kasey Keller
11-Tim Howard
8-Tony Meola
7-Matt Turner
Shutouts
14-Kasey Keller
8-Tim Howard
6-Tony Meola
6-Matt Turner
Captain
10-Michael Bradley
10-Kasey Keller
9-Carlos Bocanegra
8-Tony Meola
7-Claudio Reyna
Gold Cup Manager Stats
Over the past 34 years, the USMNT has reached 12 of the 17 Gold Cup finals under the leadership of seven different managers. Here’s a look at how each of them performed.
Matches Coached
25-Bruce Arena
18-Bob Bradley
12-Gregg Berhalter
12-Jurgen Klinsmann
10-Bora Milutinovic
8-Steve Sampson
5-B.J. Callaghan
Matches Won
19-Bruce Arena – GF-52-, GA-14
14-Bob Bradley – GF-34, GA-17
11-Gregg Berhalter – GF-26, GA-3
9-Jurgen Klinsmann – GF-32, GA-9
8-Bora Milutinovic – GF-15, GA-8
6-Steve Sampson – GF-14, GA-5
2-B.J. Callaghan – GF-16, GA-4
Gold Cup Trophies
3-Bruce Arena
1-Gregg Berhalter
1-Bob Bradley
1-Jurgen Klinsmann
1-Bora Milutinovic
Conclusion
In the future, U.S. Soccer and the USMNT should clearly communicate roster expectations for the Gold Cup, especially if a full A-list squad is not planned. Transparency on this front is essential, as it directly affects fan interest and attendance.
The constructing of a World Cup roster
Launching Caring Excellence in Northern Kentucky
Concacaf Gold Cup is becoming tarnished
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