Tyler Adams’ frustrating period on the Bournemouth sidelines is set to come to an end this weekend.
Adams is expected back in the Bournemouth squad this weekend for Saturday’s English Premier League showdown with Brentford. The U.S. men’s national team midfielder had been sidelined since late-March due to a back injury, but could play a part in the Cherries’ final two matches of the season.
“So we’ve recovered Lloyd [Kelly], Tyler Adams and Marcus Tavernier will also be part of the squad,” Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola told reporters Friday in his pre-match press conference.
The 24-year-old not featured in each of Bournemouth’s last six matches due to his injury. Adams last appeared in a 2-1 league victory over Everton on March 30, excelling in a Man of the Match performance.
Adams made his 2024 debut back on March 13 for Bournemouth before featuring for the USMNT in CONCACAF Nations League action against Jamaica and Mexico.
Bournemouth closes the season against Brentford and Chelsea respectively before heading to the U.S. this summer for a 2024-25 preseason tour.
Adams will hope to gain some needed fitness ahead of potential USMNT duty this summer at the 2024 Copa America.
Gregg’s job is to assemble the team he thinks gives him the best chance of doing well at the tournament. A Tyler Adams that can play 20 minutes is part of that group. Tyler can always decline the callup if he thinks it is detrimental to his club career or bad in other ways but that isn’t Gregg’s job. From a US perspective, there is nothing to save Tyler for and holding him out of Copa 24 doesn’t equate to him to not being injured at the 2026 WC. Two years is a lifetime in soccer. Statistically based on the last few years, he is more likely to be injured for 2026 than healthy. Tyler seems smart and he probably recognizes this could be his last chance to play in a top level international tournament and if healthy, I am sure he wants to be a part of it. Pickings are slim at DM so I expect to see him on the roster if he can play as little as 20 minutes a game.
Tele57,
“assemble the team he thinks gives him the best chance of doing well at the tournament. ”
Absolutely.
I don’t bring Tyler to Copa America because I think he will be a net negative for this tournament. Over 90 minutes Johnny is more likely to be more effective. If Tyler is the insurance policy then Gregg is going to need an insurance policy for the insurance policy.
Gregg will take Tyler because of who he is and what he can potentially bring.
Based on what I’m seeing, I don’t trust that Tyler will hold up through the two intense friendlies and at least the three group games, never mind any games if we advance.
Counting on defensive replacements who are already limited is not a good idea in a tournament. Tyler’s style amounts to relentlessly covering every blade of grass. Does that sound like someone who can be effective if their health and fitness is in question? It’s not like he is a 100 year old Gareth Bale who can roam around in the box and wait for that one chance.
If he comes in at the 70th minute and then breaks down at minute 75, odds are you won’t be able to sub him out.
It’s long past time that Gregg find an effective alternative to being held hostage to Tyler’s fitness or lack thereof. Whatever solution Gregg has, whether that’s Johnny being fulltime or something else, this is the best time to test it.
As you say two years is a lifetime in soccer so look at Tyler’s last two years. If the next two years are Tyler rejuvenated and back to his best that is great but is that realistic?
Anything is possible but Gregg’s job is to hope for the best and plan for the worst.
If Johnny is the heir apparent, and his progress at Betis has been pretty impressive, then Copa America, not some low rent CONCACAF tournament beating up on a bunch of softies, is the ideal opportunity to prove it.
Vac, if he needs to bring in somebody for 20 minutes in a defensive midfield role to help close out a game his choices are pretty limited especially if Johnny is already on the field or he is the guy that needs to come off. Besides Maloney and Musah, Adams is the only other realistic option assuming you can get 20 minutes out of him.
Tele57,
“assuming you can get 20 minutes out of him.”
My point exactly; bringing an unfit player and then “assuming you can get 20 minutes out of him” most likely at the end of a game is a huge gamble in a vital COPA game.
You’re also not giving enough credit to Musah or Maloney. If the idea to lock things down, if those two are healthy and in form, I’d much rather put one of them in than a fragile Adams.
Musah in particular, has shown that he can be great, in small 20 minute doses. His problem is being consistent over a longer span of time. As for Maloney, if you can’t trust him to help shut things down for 20 minutes at the end then why the fuck is he even on the roster?
If Adams career with the USMNT is over, then so be it. I’m interested in the best possible squad for Copa America and , at this point, it doesn’t look like Adams belongs on it.
I’ve seen other countries take half fit stars on their World Cup squads hoping they can hold up and finding out that they couldn’t do it.
If they want to honor Tyler by making him the sentimental non-playing 26th man, and Gregg is okay with limiting his options, that’s on Gregg.
Bac, Gregg will obviously evaluate fitness and how much he thinks he can get out of him before making a decision. You said the same thing before Nations League but Gregg got two good 45minute halves out of him and he was a very important player even with limited minutes. There is precedent with Gregg to do this and it is a statement more of his belief that he doesn’t have very good depth which is true more than anything else. I am saying Tyler doesn’t have to have much fitness for Gregg to likely think he is worth bringing – I think as little as 20 minutes. Musah has historically baf stamina and really isn’t a 90 minute player and any of Johnny, Musah, or Maloney can get hurt in the tournament just like Adams could. Do you want LDLT, Tessman, Busio, Adams to come in? I know who Gregg wants. Adams would not be taking a roster spot away from any of the other three you mentioned, Especially if they can bring 26 now as reported . He brought Reyna to Qatar when he was about 35minutes fit and he played him the 2nd half against.l Holland. There was no one else better he could have put in besides Reyna in that situation, either on or off the roster. We will see soon enough but I expect to see Adams if Gregg thinks he can get 20minutes out of him.
Tele57,
“Musah has historically baf stamina and really isn’t a 90 minute player and any of Johnny, Musah, or Maloney can get hurt in the tournament just like Adams could. Do you want LDLT, Tessman, Busio, Adams to come in? I know who Gregg wants.”
So do I.
In case you hadn’t noticed, I’ve said from the beginning that Gregg will take Adams. He’s going to hope that Tyler will pass all the physicals, have a nice camp and sail through. And he might; weirder shit has happened.
I just think that it would be a bad gamble on Gregg’s part, unless you can reasonably guarantee Tyler’s fitness.
But no one can.
In terms of replacements, in a cosmic sense, sure any player can get hurt at any time. Spain lost their starting keeper just before the Euros once because he dropped a bottle of aftershave on bathroom floor while shaving and cut his foot badly on the broken glass.
But Tyler is STARTING OUT lacking fitness and coming off injury already.
All those other guys you mentioned? So all of sudden they all suck? Musah can’t put in 20 minutes to close out a game? Then why do these guys have a shot at being on the roster? Hell, you could put Richards at the #6 and bring in another center half if you really want to shut things down. Right now, as far as I know, your listed guys are all healthy and playing.
Tyler is not. Unless you count yesterday’s game when he came in at the 81st minute after which Bournemouth gave up two goals in 9 minutes. A bad omen I guess.
The USMNT is used to having guys who haven’t played a lot ( Weah, Gio, Turner?) But Tyler is a little extreme in that regard. So what we are talking about here is the role of late second half replacement. Johnny will start.
Unless Gregg starts Tyler and pulls him after 45??
Other than his National League vacation, Tyler hasn’t played regularly since he broke down at Leeds (March of 2023) over a year ago. His game fitness is minimal. And if you remember his Nations League, he was fortunate to score that Golazo when he did because he was coming off anyway.
His Nations League thing didn’t mean much because when he went back to Bournemouth it did not lead to him playing regularly. He’s broken down since then.
And it was the Nations League not Copa America. The intensity in Copa America will be easily be badder. And the opposition will likely be a lot better than our friendly Mexican neighbors.
Barring anything unforeseen Tyler will be on the Copa America team . But chances are the Tyler we’ll see won’t be the Tyler we all remember and want to see.
Vac, I haven’t changed my opinion about any of those guys I have mentioned. I have always said that Musah has stamina issues and I think that was pretty evident during qualifying where he only had one good game in him per window and at Qatar where he had little left in the tank against Holland. I never said he can’t come in and play a solid 20 minutes but you’re assuming he isn’t starting thinking he is available to play that role. If he starts at an 8, past history says he needs to be out by the 70th minute. The lack of subs in the midfield hurt the US in Qatar. While I think Wes can go 90 minutes, I am not sure he can go 90 minutes in 4 straight games so being able to get him off the field some would also be helpful. Chris Richards is an option as you said but he is likely going to be a starting centerback so who are the guys you think can sub into the midfield to give Musah, Wes, Johnny, or Gio break?I I only see Maloney and Adams as realistic options so if there is no Adams, he would be down to one person. Remember that LDLT didn’t play a single minute in Qatar so a year ago Gregg didn’t have confidence in him for that role. Maybe he does now, but I doubt it. Do you? Busio was at the Gold Cup last year and was not dominate. It was a year ago and maybe he has improved greatly, but nobody who can’t be dominate against that level of competition is a realistic option against anyone other than Panama. I think Tessman shows more promise in developing into a player that can contribute to the A Team down the road but I doubt he is there yet. I think he has gotten one run out with the A team so far and I recall him not looking the part pretty noticeably. Who are the players you think Gregg can bring instead of Adams?
Tele57,
“Vac, I haven’t changed my opinion about any of those guys I have mentioned. I have always said that Musah has stamina issues and I think that was pretty evident during qualifying where he only had one good game in him per window and at Qatar where he had little left in the tank against Holland. I never said he can’t come in and play a solid 20 minutes but you’re assuming he isn’t starting thinking he is available to play that role.”
No, I’m not. You are the one who thinks Musah has fitness issues as a starter. If you are right then he should be in competition with Tyler for a place as a sub.
I am agnostic about Musah. Y’all forget just how young this kid is but are shocked by how hot and cold he can be; which is how young players often are.
I want Gregg to use Copa America to test what he thinks is a valid Adams alternative. That could be Musah, Johnny, LDLT, Maloney, I don’t know and I don’t care.
I believe that you should take the 26 that gives you best chance of winning Copa America.
I don’t know as much about Tyler’s current fitness as Gregg does and will when they make the decision. If Tyler, in their judgement is fit enough to last the tournament through to the end then I’m fine with taking him. It’s their asses on the line if Adams breaks down at the worst possible time. But based on what I know right here and now, Tyler does not merit being on the 26.
And if you tell me that taking him as Mr.#26 hurts no on because you won’t need him, I will say now you have Adams and Musah, by your account, as fitness issues. Is that wise?
“If he starts at an 8, past history says he needs to be out by the 70th minute. The lack of subs in the midfield hurt the US in Qatar. While I think Wes can go 90 minutes, I am not sure he can go 90 minutes in 4 straight games so being able to get him off the field some would also be helpful. Chris Richards is an option as you said but he is likely going to be a starting centerback so who are the guys you think can sub into the midfield to give Musah, Wes, Johnny, or Gio break?I I only see Maloney and Adams as realistic options so if there is no Adams, he would be down to one person. Remember that LDLT didn’t play a single minute in Qatar so a year ago Gregg didn’t have confidence in him for that role. Maybe he does now, but I doubt it. Do you? “
How the fuck are you ever going to know about Richards as a 6, LDLT, Maloney, etc., etc., if you don’t give them a real chance to prove themselves? If Gregg had found a way to play LDLT in Qatar some would you feel better about him? Gregg blew 45 minutes on Ferreira, a waste of time.
Right now there are two big holes in the starting 11, named Dest and Tyler.
I believe it was you who scoffed at the idea of using Copa America to test players. It’s not ideal. But right now Tyler is no longer Tyler. That means, as of today, there is at least one hole in the starting 11.
So, if Johnny, for example, can seize the opportunity, Copa America is a far better place to make his bones than some friendly or a shit CONCACAF tournament.
“Busio was at the Gold Cup last year and was not dominate. It was a year ago and maybe he has improved greatly, but nobody who can’t be dominate against that level of competition is a realistic option against anyone other than Panama. I think Tessman shows more promise in developing into a player that can contribute to the A Team down the road but I doubt he is there yet. I think he has gotten one run out with the A team so far and I recall him not looking the part pretty noticeably. Who are the players you think Gregg can bring instead of Adams?”
Gregg needs to know if the likes of Busio and Tessman are potentially the real deal or just more of the overhyped bullshit impostors that USMNT fans have deluded themselves into thinking they can actually play.
This tentativeness is not all on Gregg. A lot of it is inherent in the system. Regardless, at Copa, he has a chance to see if Johnny, for one, is a viable Tyler alternative. He’s exceeded expectations at Betis. And I don’t hear this much, but having spent serious time in Brazil, he is unlikely to be shocked much by the dark arts practiced by the teams in Copa America.
If Johnny can show his stuff and it is good, that will be a huge win for the USMNT for Copa and for 2026.
“Who are the players you think Gregg can bring instead of Adams?”
I don’t know and I do not care. That’s Gregg’s job. I’m just a fan.
Vac, yes, I scoff at the idea of using a prestigious tournament as a tryout. A tryout for what? The meaningless freindlies at the end of the year or maybe the January camp? Maybe they should use the 2026 World as a tryout for goalkeepers to prepare for the 2027 Gold Cup.
Tele57,
“Vac, yes, I scoff at the idea of using a prestigious tournament as a tryout. A tryout for what? ”
Scoff all you like, Gregg is probably going to have to try out players.
The tryout is for who plays the #6 position on the USMNT at Copa America. And also by the way, the right back position, which like the #6 position, has no established backup at this time.
Scally is supposedly it but he’s been entirely unconvincing just like whoever Gregg has tried to replace Tyler with. Plan B hasn’t really worked so that’s why the USMNT is having tryouts at this stage.
No one knows if any of this is going to work.
You get two games, Colombia and then Brazil. Then you have three group games, Bolivia, Panama and Uruguay.
Already missing two starters, Greg is going to have to be more attentive to how the starter replacements are doing.
Most managers like a set lineup going into a tournament but Gregg will not have that luxury.
Don’t look at the past. Don’t look at Qatar. Don’t ‘t look at the future. Don’t look at the 2027 Gold Cup (it may not be there in the same format).
Right now your starting #6 is an unknown quantity.
Right now your #2 is not even there.
It doesn’t matter how prestigious the tournament is it just so happens to be the next one on the schedule, preceded by two pretty difficult opponents in Colombia and Brazil.
So we should get a pretty quick read on how effective on how Gregg’s tryouts are going. Hopefully he will have the necessary adjustments ready.
The timing is not ideal but tough shit.
Obviously it would have been better if Tyler had just concluded a great campaign with Bournemouth.
But he did not. He’s barely played for a year. And every time he “comes back” , he has some kind of setback. So either his fitness people are idiots or Tyler is simply pushing himself too hard, too soon, hardly surprising.
You think it is wrong to use a prestigious tournament as a “tryout” ?
Then why are you willing to let a proven injured player use Copa America and the two warm up games as a tryout to prove his fitness?, At this writing he still can’t go 90 or even 45 for his club,
The big question with Tyler is entirely this; Just how fit is he? And if he is “fit”, how long , how many games will he hold up? The five games in question run from June 8th to July 1. That does not include the games they will play if they advance.
That’s the whole deal.
And it’s all down to Gregg , a tough conundrum many national team managers have faced before him. Whatever the choice, unless he wins Copa America he’s going to get it from both sides coming and going.
This tournament was going to be tough enough even if all of our best players were in form and available for duty.
“Vac, yes, I scoff at the idea of using a prestigious tournament as a tryout. A tryout for what?”
On the depth chart Adams has long been the starting #6. Based on his latest game for Bournemouth, Adams can barely go 45 let alone 90,
This means the #6 position is open because at this point it is not known who will play the position for Copa America. By the way the same situation is true at right back.
That’s what the tryouts will be for.
It is a sad state of affairs that in May of 2024 the USMNT does not have an proven, established backup for the #6 position and the right back position.
The remaining games that the candidates play for their clubs and the Colombia and Brazil friendlies will serve as short brutal tryouts. There is a chance that Gregg will address this with a committee of sorts so the tryouts may continue throughout the tournament.
Many teams these days regularly play between 11 and 16 players. The difference between those teams and the USMNT is that the USMNT is a little handicapped in that way because we don’t have enough credible players.
“The meaningless freindlies at the end of the year or maybe the January camp? Maybe they should use the 2026 World as a tryout for goalkeepers to prepare for the 2027 Gold Cup.”
I’m not sure that there will be a 2027 Gold Cup. At least, not one that we are used to.
Agreed. And it would also be really, really nice if we don’t break Adams. Copa is a great test and an opportunity to utilize our newfound depth and fully integrate a deep roster to develop some flexibility rotationally and tactically. Let’s be proactive- use forethought, planning over what often seems reactionary management by crisis. The first time you try something with new players/ formations should not be forced upon you in an emergency, but implemented thoughtfully, intentionally, incrementally so when that crisis inevitably comes, you are prepared to calmly deal with it. Last World Cup we had a rather strangely constructed roster, paint by numbers, one dimensional style of play- literally had to grind for everything with key players fighting every second of every match. We broke down, ran our best players into the ground. We met Netherlands a tired team with a predictable, worn out script. OK fine, it was a young team with very green, naive manager. Ain’t nothing, no one perfect, but you get no more mulligans- let’s utilize, learn from the negative experience and build upon it.
I’ll be 100% honest – in the upcoming Copa, I would personally start Johnny Cardoso – who is the vastly superior passer – ahead of Adams against Bolivia and Panama, but against teams that may outgun us – which may include Uruguay as well as Brazil and Argentina – I’d almost certainly play more defensively, in a mid-block at the most, and I would absolutely want Adams starting to cover the backline. Cardoso is by a fair margin the better weapon for unlocking a stubborn low block, but against the big guns we need to worry about defensive solidity to have any real chance and that’s Tyler Adams’ forte. So Adams’ health is likely going to be of extreme importance to us.
Here’s hoping Adams has picked the best possible time to get healthy. Especially with Dest going down we could badly use that sort of positive break.
I would add Colombia to the list of big guns. In the past they have pretty well man-handled us. Apart from that I think your point is well taken.
quozzel,
“to get healthy”
The fact that Bournemouth might play him in these last couple of games does not mean he’s “healthy”.
Bournemouth is tenth.
They are not going to be relegated.
They are not getting into Europe.
Why play Adams? Probably to get a better idea of what their off season moves should be. They can limit his minutes in the remaining games without worrying about results.
Can Gregg do that? Not if he brings him in the first place.
June is going to be a hell of a month. History, old and recent, suggests that Adams will break down at some point.
Gregg will bring Tyler. He’ll start Johnny.
Unless Johnny from the start makes everyone forget about Rodri, Tyler will scream about it. You may think that no one knows Tyler’s body better than him but do we really trust Tyler to not push himself before he’s really ready? His entire style is about relentlessly killing himself.
History suggests that Tyler isn’t really listening to what his body saying. That maybe he needs to be smarter about not reinjuring himself.
If it were me I ‘d leave Tyler at home regardless of what he does in these remaining Bournemouth games. The man’s not Copa America fit.
And Copa America is the worst place to work yourself back into fitness. And if Gregg has a solution to replace Tyler, Copa America is the best and only place to see if that really works.
But that’s why they pay Gregg the big bucks. Ideally, Johnny will play every minute and Tyler won’t play one.