American soccer squad unfazed by critique from ex-players, as per Tyler Adams.
Ditching the Drama: U.S. Soccer Team Ignoring Criticism from Predecessors
The U.S. men's soccer team, known for breaking records with Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey, are facing heat from these former stars. The duo, who share the American goals record with 57 each, has been vocal about their disapproval of the current regulars absent from the struggling squad preparing for the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Tyler Adams, a key player, has encouraged the team to shrug off the external noise, stating during a Zoom interview, "We don't talk about that internally as a group. The chatter outside is just noise. We need to focus on our game and keep progressing."
Star player Christian Pulisic is taking a break from the June camp and Gold Cup to rest after playing nearly 120 games for club and country over two seasons. Clint Dempsey, expressing his thoughts on the "Men in Blazers" podcast, said, "For me, I don't understand it because I've always wanted to play in those games."
Listening to Portugal celebrate their European Nations League final victory over Spain, Landon Donovan said on Fox postgame show, "I can't help but think about our guys who are enjoying vacations instead of preparing for the Gold Cup."
Pulisic has yet to publicly address his decision to rest.
The U.S. team has lost four straight games, their longest losing streak since 2007, after a 4-0 rout by Switzerland. In response, Adams said, "It's all part of the process. We'll win games, lose games. It's about continuing to build and trying new things. We're on the right path and need to keep working."
Adams didn't play in the Switzerland friendly but remains confident of his readiness for the Gold Cup, coming up against Trinidad and Tobago.
Meanwhile, Adams, the team's captain at the 2022 World Cup, is investing in underprivileged communities, building mini-pitches in Poughkeepsie, NY, and schools in Detroit and Yeadon, PA, through collaborations with Allstate, the U.S. Soccer Foundation, and Black Star Soccer.
Since Mauricio Pochettino took charge as the team's coach, players now enjoy more autonomy to break free from rigid positioning tactics used by his predecessor, Gregg Berhalter. "From a positional standpoint, we had a different structure under Gregg. Maurizio gives players freedom to find comfortable spots and benefit the team in unique ways," Adams explained.
Prepping for the upcoming Gold Cup, Adams has his eyes on the Premier League's 2025-26 schedule. "Playing in the Premier League sharpens your decision-making skills. If you make a mistake, you get penalized. That experience is invaluable," he shared.
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The U.S. men's soccer team, in the midst of preparing for the 2026 World Cup, might find inspiration in a different sport, as Tyler Adams, a key player, has expressed his interest in American football. Christian Pulisic, another star, might take a break from the 2026 World Cup preparations to rest, just as he did for the June camp and Gold Cup in 2022.
While the team strives for success in the 2026 World Cup, Tyler Adams is also planning ahead, dreaming of playing in the Premier League during the 2025-26 season, believing that the competitive nature of English soccer will sharpen his decision-making skills for the game's biggest stage.
