Tim Ream says the 2026 FIFA World Cup did more than put the U.S. team in the global spotlight — it helped deepen interest in soccer at home. Speaking ahead of the MLS All-Star game, the Team USA captain said the tournament offered a chance to connect with fans and inspire more people to pick up the sport, even though the team did not move beyond the knockout rounds.
Ream, who was 38 during the tournament, called captaining the national team on home soil one of the biggest honors of his career. He said the experience carried a unique kind of pressure, but he views that pressure as part of the privilege of representing his country at a World Cup. He also pointed to memorable moments from the event, including the opening match against Paraguay and the postgame scene in Seattle after the Australia match, when 70,000 fans sang together.
The defender also believes the sport’s popularity in the United States is still climbing. According to a 2024 survey referenced in the report, soccer had already edged past baseball as the country’s third-most popular sport, behind basketball and American football. Ream said the World Cup showed how quickly that interest can grow, and he sees the challenge now as keeping that energy alive across more cities and markets.
Beyond the tournament, Ream discussed how he has adjusted his training to stay in top shape as one of the older players in the game. He also said that criticism after a difficult match is part of being a professional athlete. As for bouncing back, he said rebuilding confidence starts with understanding that the scrutiny is part of the job, especially when playing for a national team under intense public attention.
Source: menshealth.com
