Tyler Adams reveals massive life change that could lead USMNT to best World Cup finish in 96 years

The United States is seeking its second consecutive World Cup Victory.

If Tyler Adams‘ team reaches the knockout stage before Group play is complete, the Bournemouth midfielder will have received a little extra help along the way.

getty

Adams has new life perspective

“Being able to look in the stands and see not just my wife and my family, but my kids this time around — four years ago I didn’t have kids,” Adams told US Soccer.

“Now, this World Cup, I’m just a different person.”

While the US Men’s National Team awaits a final update on Christian Pulisic‘s injured calf before a Friday match vs Australia, the 27-year-old Adams is the ‘secret’ captain for a squad that electrified America with a 4-1 World Cup-opening victory vs Paraguay.

“On behalf of the whole team, massive thank you to the fans,” USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino said.

“Because the energy that they relate to the team was amazing, and we can do amazing things if the fans are in this way.”

Adams felt a wave of emotions as USMNT began a historic World Cup run on home soil.

He was limited to 25 matches for Bournemouth this season, while dealing with a medial collateral ligament tear in his left knee.

But Adams was one of Pochettino’s chosen XI vs Paraguay and has been tipped as a key leader of a team dreaming of reaching the World Cup semifinals for the first time since 1930.

Emotional World Cup return for Bournemouth star

“A lot of emotions for me, but controlled emotions,” said Adams, who made his fifth World Cup start and again played the full 90 minutes.

“I think having that experience of playing in 2022 (helped). I didn’t know what to expect in terms of a home atmosphere, but I knew what to expect in terms of the nerves and the anxiousness and all that. So, I feel like I dealt with that and coped with that in a really good way.”

getty

[email protected]

[email protected]

The 5ft 9in New York native — a huge Knicks fan who proudly proclaimed ‘Knicks in five’ on Instagram — married Sarah Schmidt last year.

The couple welcomed sons Jaxon and Beau into the world, and that newfound perspective led to a changed Adams inside Los Angeles Stadium before a roaring crowd of 70,492 a week ago.

“I just feel like I found a good balance in my personal life and my work life,” Adams said.

Brad Friedel tipped a cap to Adams’ leadership

“That’s allowed me to grow a lot as a player and on the field. I think I’m a much more mature player. I handle situations with ease compared to 2022, just getting things thrown at you and trying to figure out how to deal with it.

“I feel like I’m anticipating things a lot better and reading the game a lot better due to that balance in my life.”

Before USMNT’s opener, longtime USA and Premier League goalkeeper Brad Friedel praised Adams’ leadership and maturity.

Coming to America

USA has a golden opportunity to impress global football fans — don’t screw up the World Cup

How the 1994 World Cup changed soccer in USA – from tourists in Italy to better than England and MLS

Ranking the World Cup venues – from New York to Los Angeles, a string of spectacular venues will play host to the 2026 World Cup

The $9bn pitch built for Ronaldo’s last World Cup – ‘Forever’ grass, artificial sunlight and closed roof

Chris Richards Exclusive – the Crystal Palace defender opens up on his journey to the top, next stop a home World Cup for the kid from Birmingham, Alabama

“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,” Friedel exclusively told talkSPORT.

USMNT will attempt to start 2-0 in the World Cup vs the Socceroos.

If the wins keep stacking up for Pochettino and Co., Adams will see the peak of his lifelong soccer climb with new clarity — thanks to the support of his growing family.

“It’s changed everything,” Adams said.

“It’s just the balance that you find in life. You find a happy medium for everything that you do, you don’t get too high on anything, you don’t get too low on anything. You look at (my sons) and they’re always happy. It just shows that you should be happy, as well.”

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

Stay up to date on all things USMNT across our talkSPORT platforms – subscribe to our YouTube channel for the latest news, opinion, exclusive interviews and our daily unfiltered, unscripted show ‘The S* Word, from 8am ET.