EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Tyler Adams has made six appearances with the US national team over the last nine months.
His senior debut was against Portugal in Leiria, he has played France in Lyon and Ireland in Dublin.
But. Friday comes a next-level milestone for the New York Red Bulls‘ 19-year-old midfielder — mighty Brazil at MetLife Stadium (7:30 pm ET | FS1, UniMás, UDN). It’s fair to say it’s a dream scenario for Adams.
“One hundred percent,” Adams said before training at the stadium on Thursday morning. “Playing a team that maybe wishes they did a little bit better in the World Cup, it’s important for us to show how hungry we are and to have so many friends and family coming to the game is really cool.
“My coach will be here and all the support system I have around this area is amazing. I haven’t played in MetLife yet so it will be pretty cool to step in MetLife and see how that is. I’m just excited for the opportunity.”
Adams, who admitted he had to turn down a few ticket requests, grew up in Wappingers Falls, about a 90-minute drive to MetLife Stadium. His path to USMNT regular, though, has come a lot quicker.
He said his biggest growth spurt as a player came after playing in the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup and graduating to the U-20s. It was then that he thought playing against teams like France and Brazil was becoming more realistic.
“I felt I had developed so much between that time that playing for the senior national team wasn’t too far away,” Adams said. “It was just a matter of getting consistent minutes with the first team and doing well with the first team.”
Citing his work ethic and performances with the Red Bulls, Adams knew his chance with the senior team was on the horizon. It was accelerated by the failed World Cup qualification bid when the decision was made to go young for at least the foreseeable future. Adams took that chance and hasn’t looked back.
“For me, the most important thing is playing well for your club because that will ultimately open up the doors and [interim USMNT coach] Dave Sarachan taking notice to what you’re doing,” Adams said. “But coming into the national team is a unique opportunity and you definitely can’t take it for granted.”
In addition to his tactical acumen and “maturity beyond his years,” Sarachan has been impressed with Adams leadership skills on a roster with an average age of 23 years.
“You can sense he’s got the qualities to be a leader,” Sarachan said. “That’s so important within a team, especially a team like this that’s fairly young.”
For Columbus Crew SC captain Wil Trapp, who has worn the armband for the USMNT in recent games, Adams’ future as a leader is now.
“I wouldn’t even say future, I would say now, especially with the Red Bulls,” Trapp said. “He’s transformed them into a contender in the Eastern Conference, a contender for MLS Cup. His ability to lead through example, his maturity as a player, on and off the field, has been amazing to see.”
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