Tim Ream Named Captain For USA's World Cup Squad

U.S. SOCCER NATIONAL TRAINING CENTER (Fayetteville, Ga.) — Tim Ream will captain the U.S. men’s national team at the World Cup this summer, manager Mauricio Pochettino announced Saturday morning.

The 38-year-old center back has already worn the armband in 16 of 23 matches in the Pochettino era, including that first game vs. Panama on Oct. 12, 2024 in Austin, Texas.

"What I want to say is that I am so grateful that he’s with us, because he’s a great captain not only on the field, but maybe more importantly, off the field," Pochettino said while sitting next to Ream during a press conference at the National Training Center outside Atlanta. "I think he has the experience, he has the capacity to be the leader that we want, the positive leader. 

"For me, that’s one of the most important things is to connect [with] the players. He’s an amazing voice, so lucky to have a player like him with his personality and his character."

Ream, the oldest player on the USA’s 26-man roster, seemed a little bit surprised despite his veteran status on the team. 

"Wow," Ream said. "This is more than a dream come true. I’ve done everything possible to be a part of this group, to help this group along, and I’m just really, really grateful to be sitting here to have this honor. And at the same time, it’s not going to change what I do or who I am or how I help the group."

Ream thanked Pochettino, before adding that this is "the highest honor for me" and "I’m not going to take that for granted."

Pochettino said he was the one who chose Ream, not the players.

"Not a vote of the team, of the players," Pochettino said, with his arms folded on the table. "It’s my decision."

Tim Ream of the United States after a game between the United States and Belgium