Two familiar faces were back at the Red Bulls' Training Facility on Tuesday, as Tyler Adams and Tim Parker both returned from international duty with the U.S. Men's National Team, after the team played two friendly matches against Ireland and France.
Both Adams and Parker appeared in the teams' two matches, Adams was in the Starting XI for both, while Parker came in as a sub in the first match, against Ireland in the 61st minute, but started in the second match against France, alongside Adams.
After Tuesday's practice, both players spoke about their experience with the National Team.
"A really fun experience," Adams said. "Going to Ireland first and starting in Dublin against Ireland was a unique opportunity. It was John O'Shea's last game for Ireland and he's a legend there, so it was cool to step on the field with some of those guys that are from the Premier League, which is a unique opportunity for all the young players that we have on our squad. Obviously, France was really, really fun. Playing against a lot of guys that are my idols and going toe to toe with some of the best players in the world and a World cup favorite was really unique."
"It was good," Parker said. It was a lot of fun obviously to get in with the guys that I might not have been in with before, and then the opportunity to play made it all that much sweeter."
Tyler also touched on what it was like playing with Tim.
"It was really cool," Adams said. "Because me and Tim met at the January camp this year and he wasn't my teammate then, so now to go into National camps knowing that there's someone from our team is really unique and really fun."
The two players also talked about how their confidence has grown while playing on the National stage.
"I thought that I was able to play a big role and establish myself a little bit more," Adams said. "Each and each time that i get to play with the National Team, I feel like I'm growing."
"I think that what we're doing here is the right thing," Parker said. "I've learned a lot while I've been at Red Bull, in the short period of time, and I think it's making me a better player, and I want to obviously continue to get better and continue to play at those kinds of levels."
With international duty now complete, both Adams and Parker will now look to prepare for the Red Bulls' upcoming matches on Wednesday, June 13, against the Seattle Sounders, and Saturday's, June 16th, Open Cup match against the Philadelphia Union.
