As the dust begins to settle on what’s next for the United States Men’s National Team, it is clear that another voice is needed to lead the players after crashing out of the Copa America. But looking further afield, given the youth of the squad, most of the players who fell 2-1 to Uruguay in Kansas City will still be key for the USMNT in the 2026 World Cup, but one who will continue the international chapter of his career could see. closure is 36 years old Tim Ream.
A late call-up to the 2022 World Cup squad, Ream was a breath of fresh air, stabilizing an inconsistent defense with his decision-making and distribution. The defenders playing alongside him have grown during his time with the national team, but the USMNT is also no closer to figuring out who will replace Ream on the left side of the defense. This is both a nod to the hard work Ream has put in and an indictment of the defenders behind him. Miles Robinson, Mark McKenzieAnd Cameron Carter-Vickers have all been given opportunities that they did not take advantage of. Joe Scally is an example of the fact that a player can bounce back from a bad first impression in the USMNT, but sooner or later one of these defenders has to step up.
There are young defensemen like Jalen Neal who could make the jump in 2026, but that’s hard to predict. But replacing Ream on the pitch is one problem. There is also the fact that he needs to be replaced in the locker room, where his leadership is paramount. After losing UruguayReam spoke some words of warning.
“This is a fantastic group as everyone knows, but sometimes the intensity falls through the cracks,” Ream said. “If we start thinking we’re a finished product, the guys will stagnate and just stay at the level they’re at.”
It’s hard to escape the conclusion that Ream called out some of his teammates for being complacent during the tournament, which only makes sense when you’re being hailed as a “golden generation” despite not having any new ones as a team have reached heights. When you’re told something enough times, you start to believe it even if it’s not true, which can undermine motivation.
Ream’s comments make sense given that he himself was a late bloomer as a footballer and had one of his best club seasons at Fulham at age 35 and breaking into the USMNT to piece together the defense. Although he was not the captain of the team, he certainly became one of the players who were asked for advice. When his international career comes to an end, an experienced leadership figure must emerge.
Matt Turner is the second-oldest regular on the team, but he struggles for playing time Nottingham forest, there is a future in which he also loses the role between the sticks before the 2026 World Cup. So as we look for who can take on the mantle of elder leadership in a position of need, this is something the USMNT may need to look outside.
Luckily for them, they may not have to look much further than Major League Soccer, depending on how Luciano Acosta citizenship process. In June, The Athletics reported that the FC Cincinnati midfielder was well on his way to acquiring American citizenship, which could also provide an avenue to represent the United States at the international level. Looking back at MLS may bring groans, but when it comes to creating chances out of thin air and scoring with ease, few players have been better than Acosta, who also captains Cincinnati.
The United States struggled to create shooting opportunities against Uruguay and while Acosta may not be someone who would be a starter for the USMNT, there is a clear role he could fill while bringing much-needed leadership qualities. It’s even something he’s thought about.
“Obviously (I would accept) a call-up from the USMNT, if it came,” Acosta told The Athletic. “It’s one of the reasons I started (the citizenship) process.”
Being able to play meaningful minutes while linking play from midfield is a key role for the USMNT to fill. Malik Tillman could be the long-term solution there, but even if so, being in camp with Acosta will only help that. Much remains to be done for this to become a reality, but there is no one correct path to the USMNT. Ream has shown that no one can be written off at any point and when looking to see what’s next after the Fulham man has moved on, no stone should be left unturned.
