Tyler Adams heading for Nats Camp

Since the day the US Men’s National Team crashed out of qualifying for the FIFA World Cup there has been considerable attention paid to the national men’s soccer program, specifically the changes that might be made to the current player development system in order to avoid future embarrassment and failure.

Conspicuously, US men’s soccer currently has a promising group of young players in its pipeline: its U-20 and U-17 teams both reached the quarterfinals of their respective World Cup tournaments this year. Unsurprisingly, there have been reports - most notably from Metro’s (no relation) Kristian Dyer - indicating the next USMNT squad will focus on that emerging next generation of players.

Further to those reports, Once A Metro understands the New York Red Bulls’ Tyler Adams is on his way to join the USMNT’s camp for the forthcoming friendly against Portugal on November 14.

Adams has had something of a break-out year with RBNY in 2017. His profile has been boosted substantially by influential performances for the USA U-20s at the World Cup, and by his consolidation of a starting role with the Red Bulls in MLS.

His success is not unexpected. RBNY fans may remember his goal-scoring turn against Chelsea in a friendly a couple of seasons ago. In 2016, Adams was a key part of NYRB II’s run to the USL Championship title. He has been a US youth team regular for much of his career to date, and a senior call-up is very much part of the anticipated trajectory of his development.

This call might a little sooner than expected for the 18-year-old, but he will surely welcome the chance to test himself against one of Europe’s stronger national team programs. Adams has a high ceiling and is considered a strong candidate for a move abroad to a club bigger than RBNY. Senior international soccer experience will only strengthen that candidacy.

Whatever his future might hold, Adams is currently one of the better players and more exciting prospects on RBNY’s roster. He has the tools for a long and successful career in the game, and it is a pleasure to watch him develop those tools as a Red Bull.

Good luck to Tyler Adams with USMNT. Here’s hoping he has a creditable international break.