LANDOVER, Md — The absence of Tyler Adams in the U.S. men’s national team midfield is visible and head coach Gregg Berhalter is hoping to have him back in the coming days or weeks.
Adams was an unused substitute on Saturday as the Americans suffered a 5-1 hammering at the hands of Colombia at Commanders Field. The Bournemouth midfielder entered the June window with only five matches under his belt for club and country, being part of the CONCACAF Nations League-winning squad last March.
However, back spasms forced Adams to the sidelines in England, reducing him to only 99 combined minutes over the final six weeks of the English Premier League campaign.
An absent Adams is a major loss for the USMNT, but Berhalter admitted that the coaching staff isn’t planning to rush him back after missing most of last season.
“He’s been doing a great job, he’s building strength up and getting back to a good level,” Berhalter told reporters postmatch on Saturday. “We were cautious with him at the Nations League and we are being cautious with him again. We’re trying to build up his strength and fitness to get him ready to compete. Today was too early for him, but hopefully we will get to see him against Brazil or as the tournament begins.”
The USMNT is coming off its largest margin of defeat since 2016, adding pressure to Berhalter and his staff heading into Wednesday’s home friendly vs. Brazil. Brazil recently used a 96th minute winner from 17-year-old starlet Endrick to defeat Mexico 3-2 on Saturday.
Should Adams not be able to play in Orlando this week, the next opportunity for him would be against Bolivia on June 23 in the USMNT’s group stage opener.
