NPR
The upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup carries significant expectations, particularly for the American co-hosts. There is a strong desire that the U.S. Men's National Team will not only perform well but also advance deep into the tournament. Additionally, there is hope that this event will ignite enthusiasm and attract a new generation of soccer fans.
Despite the growing popularity of soccer in the U.S., largely due to the success of the women's national team, the long-term sustainability of a dedicated American soccer audience remains a topic of debate.
Tim Ream is acutely aware of these dynamics. Currently a reliable defender for Major League Soccer's Charlotte FC, Ream's selection for the final 26-man roster of the U.S. Men's National Team would provide him the opportunity to challenge skeptics who argue that America lacks a strong soccer culture or that the men's team is destined to underperform.
"I have no doubt in my mind that we can win in a knockout stage game. I have no doubt that we can win multiple games in the knockout stages," Ream stated in an interview with Juana Summers, host of All Things Considered.
At 38 years old, Ream has experience on his side; he played in all four matches of the 2022 World Cup held in Qatar. The team, which was the second youngest in the tournament, saw an early exit in the Round of 16 against the Netherlands and was notably absent from the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Missing that opportunity hindered their ability to establish a strong international identity.
"At the last World Cup, none of us had played. We had one guy who had played in a World Cup previously," Ream reflected. "Now, I think guys have a much better understanding of what it takes."
Ream is also unique in the current talent pool, being the only player who recalls the last tournament hosted in the United States in 1994, even though he was just six years old at the time. His prior experience as team captain positions him as a likely candidate for the final roster, and he expresses readiness to fulfill any role the team requires.
"If that's starting every game and playing every minute like I did in 2022, if it's being the person who comes on and helps see out the games, if it's being the leader behind the scenes and the voice behind the scenes to help guys navigate the whole World Cup tournament. I'm willing and able to do anything that's asked of me," he conveyed.
Ream recognizes the inherent pressure facing this year's squad. "People want to believe that [soccer in America] is going to continue to grow and that [the 2026 World Cup] will be an even bigger catalyst than 1994," he asserted. The success of the 1994 tournament led to the establishment of Major League Soccer (MLS).
Ultimately, Ream believes that success can take various forms. On the field, it involves winning and "making people proud." Off the field, he comprehends the significance of the moment.
"I think the biggest hope and dream would be to say we've inspired our own country of 330-plus million people, that we're inspiring the next generation of players who are already fully focused and ingrained in the game and want to become the next iteration of the U.S. national team," Ream expressed, emphasizing the importance of nurturing a love for soccer among young children.
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