As the dust begins to settle on what the future holds for the U.S. Men's National Team, it is clear that another voice is needed to lead the players after the Copa America exit. But looking past that, given the team’s youth, most of the players who lost 2-1 to Uruguay in Kansas City will still be crucial to the USMNT at the 2026 World Cup, but one who could see the international chapter of his career pass by is 36-year-old Tim Ream.
A late call-up to the 2022 World Cup roster, Ream has been 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 no closer to figuring out who will replace Ream on the left side of defense. It’s both a nod to Ream’s hard work and an indictment of the defenders behind him. Mile Robinson, Mark McKenzieAnd Cameron Carter-Vickers have all been given chances they didn’t take. Joe Scally is an example that a player can bounce back from a bad first impression with the USMNT, but one of these defenders will need to step up sooner rather than later.
There are young defenders like Jalen Neal who could make the move in 2026, but that's hard to predict. But replacing Ream on the field is a problem, there's also the fact that he needs to be replaced in the locker room, where his leadership has been paramount. After the loss to UruguayReam offered some words of warning.
“This is a fantastic group, everyone knows that, but sometimes the intensity is missing,” said Ream. “If we start thinking we are a finished product, then the boys will stagnate and stay at the current level.”
It’s hard to escape the conclusion that Ream criticized some of his teammates for being complacent during the tournament, which makes sense when you’re being hailed as a “golden generation” despite not reaching new heights as a team. If you’re told something enough times, you start to believe it, even if it’s not true, which can sap your drive.
Ream's comments make sense as he was a late bloomer as a footballer himself and enjoyed one of his best club seasons at Fulham at the age of 35 and breaking into the USMNT to help bring the defense together. While he wasn’t the team’s captain, he certainly became one of the players looked to for guidance, and as his international career draws to a close, an experienced, leadership figure needs to step up.
Matt Turner is the second oldest regular player on the team, but because he has trouble getting playing time at Nottingham ForestThere is a future where he also loses the role between the posts for the 2026 World Cup. So, when looking at who can take on that older leadership mantle in a position where there is a need, it is something the USMNT may need to look at externally.
Fortunately, they may not have to look much further than Major League Soccer, depending on how Luciano Acosta's citizenship process is going on. In June, The Athletics reported that the FC Cincinnati midfielder was well on his way to becoming a U.S. citizen, which could also provide a path to representing the United States internationally. Looking back on MLS may make you groan, but when it comes to creating chances out of nothing and scoring with ease, few players have been better than Acosta, who also captains Cincinnati.
The United States struggled to create shooting chances 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 also bringing much-needed leadership qualities. It’s even something he’s thought about.
“Of course (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 also connecting the play from midfield is a key role the USMNT needs to fill. Malik Tillman could be the long-term solution, but even if he is, being in camp with Acosta will only help. There’s a lot that needs to happen to make that happen, but there’s no single right path for the USMNT. Ream has shown that no one can be written off at any point, and no stone can be left unturned when it comes to figuring out what happens after the Fulham man leaves.
