Tim Ream's long road leads to USMNT World Cup captaincy: 'This is more than a dream come true'

FAYETTEVILLE, Ga. — Tim Ream, who has worn the captain’s armband more than any other U.S. player under Mauricio Pochettino, was named the team’s World Cup captain Saturday.

“I am so grateful that he is with us because [he is] a great captain, not only on the field, [but] maybe more important off the field,” Pochettino said. “I think he has the experience and he has the capacity to be the leader that we want — the positive leader.”

Pochettino and his staff made the decision — unlike before the 2022 tournament, when, under then-coach Gregg Berhalter, the players voted for midfielder Tyler Adams.

“This is more than a dream come true,” Ream said, holding back tears. “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.”

Adams said this week he would be happy for whomever was chosen.

“It's a privilege and an honor for anyone that gets to wear the armband, but what I represent, how I lead, I think anybody that plays with me knows that I'm a leader,” he said. “That's just how I've been my entire career, whether I'm wearing the armband or not.”

At 38, Ream would become the oldest player in U.S. history to appear in a World Cup match. He started all four matches at the 2022 tournament in Qatar.

Pochettino reiterated Ream’s importance to the team behind the scenes and with younger players.

“Sometimes captains on the field [are] very good, very happy, so nice, so helpful, but after, when they don't play, they don't act like a captain,” Pochettino said. “He fully deserves [the captaincy]. It's not a vote of the teammates; it's my decision, it's our decision, and the people that I trust, and I think it is the best for our team and it's the best for the organization.”

Pochettino made a point of adding that being captain does not necessarily guarantee a starting job every match.

“Playing or not playing, he is the captain, [but] it’s not going to be, ‘Sure, [he’s] in the starting 11,’” Pochettino said, laughing.

Ream is among five center backs on the roster, along with the injured Chris Richards, Auston Trusty, Mark McKenzie and Miles Robinson.

Since his 2010 international debut, Ream has made 80 U.S. appearances — second on the current squad behind Christian Pulisic (84).