Getting called into the United States Men's National Team is a dream come true for Tyler Adams.
The New York Red Bulls Homegrown player is in Portugal, training with the team ahead of their Tuesday afternoon friendly with the European powerhouse.
"Being called up to the National Team is a dream fulfilled," Adams said after getting the nod.
It's the 18-year-old's first call up to the senior squad after representing the country at both the U-17 and U-20 level. He recently won the 2017 CONCACAF U-20 Championship with the U-20 team in March, 2017.
For club, Adams shined in his first full season with the Red Bulls, appearing in 24 matches and starting in 22. The Homegrown product recorded eight points on two goals and four assists, tallying seven of his eight points in three of the final five regular-season matches to help the Red Bulls clinch a spot in the Audi 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs. Adams also tallied his first career playoff assist in New York’s 4-0 rout of Chicago in the Knockout Round.
- MLS ROUND TABLE, presented by Target: Youth in MLS Part One | Pathways, feat. Tyler Adams
“It’s really incredible…to see him go from day one this year to then play the way he played in the playoffs and then play the way he did at the end of the year and ultimately lead to him get called into the national team,” Red Bulls Head Coach Jesse Marsch said. “The biggest challenge with Tyler has been trying to figure out are we too cautious with his development.”
Adams graduated from high school on June 24, the same day he started his first New York Derby. The Wappingers Falls, New York native has since begun pursuing a degree in Sports Psychology from Southern New Hampshire University, taking online classes since July.
"As I continue to develop as a player, I know I need to prove myself in every opportunity I get," Adams said. "Next on the list is the national team, and with this opportunity I’ll put everything I have into it to represent my country with the highest degree of pride."
The U.S. will face the 2016 European champions for the seventh time, the teams having split the lifetime series 2-2-2 dating back to 1978, and this marks the USA’s first visit to Portugal since 1990. The match will be broadcast live on FS1 as well as the Univision Networks. Fans can also follow the game live on Facebook and Twitter at @ussoccer and @ussoccer_esp.
