Tyler Adams is the ‘true leader’ of USMNT and isn’t afraid to call out Christian Pulisic

Mauricio Pochettino selected a 38-year-old defender as the United States’ World Cup captain.

But a former US Men’s National Team star and longtime Premier League goalkeeper said there’s only one true leader of the 2026 squad — and it’s not even Captain America.

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USMNT will turn to Tyler Adams in tough times

“He’s (Christian Pulisic) going to be the sponsor guy, the interview guy, the everything guy.  And that leads me into my next comment … not everyone is a leader,” Brad Friedel exclusively told talkSPORT.

“The true leader of the U.S. National Team, on and off the field — the vocal guy, the guy that will give encouragement but also give someone a rollicking when they need it — is Tyler Adams.”

Tim Ream officially received the nod from Pochettino, whose team will open Group D play on June 12 vs Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium.

“This is more than a dream come true,” said Ream, who plays for Charlotte FC in MLS.

“I’ve done everything possible to be a part of this group, to help this group along, and I’m just really, really grateful to be sitting here to have this honor.”

But Ream isn’t guaranteed a spot in USMNT’s starting XI, and the nod was as much for his professional experience and devotion to US Soccer as it was for on-the-pitch direction.

In speaking with USMNT insiders during the build up to the biggest World Cup in history, one name was continually repeated as the centerpiece of the squad — Adams.

“A lot will be made of Captain America, Christian Pulisic, or Weston McKennie because of his big personality,” USMNT correspondent Ben Jacobs exclusively told talkSPORT.

Bournemouth midfielder has proven his resilience

“But Tyler Adams is going to be the engine room of this US Men’s National Team midfield. And if he gets going, my expectation is everyone will get going.”

The 5ft 9in midfielder rarely scores goals (five in his 11-year pro career) and recently dealt with a medial collateral ligament tear in his left knee.

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But Adams’ Premier League club (Bournemouth) finished sixth in the table and qualified for the Europa League next season, and he previously served as USMNT captain while becoming the youngest player to receive that honor since Walter Bahr in 1950.

Pulisic’s breakthrough goal vs Senegal in a friendly should give Captain America a mental breather before the World Cup begins.

“I hope for Christian he can find like a four-week period … where you just kind of namaste and then he can hit the ground running,” Friedel said.

Adams is the real team-changer, unafraid of challenging his teammates and demanding accountability on a global stage.

Adams would ‘dish it out’ vs older players

“I coached Tyler way back in the in the day; coached against Tyler, as well,” Friedel said.

“I’ve watched him grow. I mean, when he was 16- and 17- years-old, he would come into the older camp with the under-20s and he would dish it out to the older guys. He’s always been that character. So he has huge importance and influence.”

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Adams was named the 2022 US Soccer Male Player of the Year after playing every minute of the World Cup in Qatar.

From the NY Red Bulls in MLS to RB Leipzig in Bundesliga and Leeds’ relegation from the Premier League in 2023, Adams has won over USMNT with his intensity and resilience.

“This is a player that’s being looked at by some of the top clubs in the world, when fit,” Jacobs said.

A final friendly vs Germany on Saturday at Soldier Field in Chicago will be Pochettino’s final look at USMNT before an international spotlight arrives.

Then an unproven team ranked 16th in the world will attempt to become the first USA squad to reach the World Cup quarterfinals since 2002.

Pulisic will need a teammate to mentally push him, while Folarin Balogun can open up the pitch.

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Pochettino will need a captain between the lines, from the first minute until the 90th and beyond.

“(Adams’) energy and the ball winning — and even the ability to chip in with goals, as well — alleviates the burden,” Jacobs said.

“It opens up the freedom for Christian Pulisic. It allows Weston McKennie to potentially get further forwards, as well.

“And suddenly in the center of the park, which is going to be key to America’s success, you’ve got interchangeable movement and versatile players.”

All 104 games at the 2026 World Cup this summer will be live on talkSPORT, talkSPORT 2 and the talkSPORT app.