Not many national teams are relying heavily on players pushing close to 40-years-old, but the U.S. men’s national team are one of those rare exceptions.
Tim Ream is back in the USMNT fold as the program prepares for its penultimate window of 2025. The former longtime Fulham defender, who has remained a constant performer for Charlotte FC, has made 11 appearances for the USMNT this year, wearing the captain’s armband in 10 matches.
With Ream being the elder statesman of the squad, his experience is certainly valuable to the younger defenders and players.
“When I think of Tim, I think of poise, I think leadership, I think of control in every aspect,” USMNT midfielder Cristian Roldan said about Ream during a press conference Monday. “He brings a different aura to the team, and he creates a really good environment, a really welcoming environment for a lot of guys, and that’s the type of leader that we need.”
Ream has made 30 appearances for Charlotte FC this season, while also adding his 11 USMNT caps to his lengthy stat list. The 38-year-old has showed zero signs of slowing down for club or country, remaining a viable option for the FIFA World Cup next summer.
Chris Richards, Mark McKenzie, Miles Robinson, and Cameron Carter-Vickers may be younger options in defense, but Ream is ready to do whatever is needed to play a role in the USMNT heading into a highly-anticipated 2026.
“I’ve always maintained that I’ll push myself to the absolute maximum and bring every ounce of playing time that I can out of my body and my mind,” Ream said. “That’s what I’m going to continue to do. I’m going to continue to push to be a starter.
“If I’m the old guy in the corner handing out orange slices and giving pep talks to these guys, then okay, I’ve still contributed something to the team environment in the culture,” Ream added. “But my aim and my goal is to be starting games.”
Ream’s impact has not only helped him remain a leader during Mauricio Pochettino’s time as head coach. He’s also helped play an inspirational role to other veterans in the squad, such as Seattle Sounders midfielder Cristian Roldan.
Roldan, whose September appearances were his first in USMNT colors since 2023, credited Ream’s tireless work rate in helping him not give up on his continued goals of being a leader for the program.
“He’s revitalized his National Team career at an older age,” Roldan said of Ream. “It provided me with a little bit more added motivation to get back here with the team, to really believe that I could get here. He’s an example that you can not only play at a really high level but sustain that throughout your career.”
Both Ream and Roldan will aim to feature against Ecuador and Australia in the coming seven days.