Tyler Adams was the USMNT’s captain last time they competed in the World Cup, playing and handling his duties brilliantly. Now, an injury might cost him in the run-up to the 2026 Cup. Adams’ health has always been a struggle, and he just suffered an unfortunate blow that will cost him a chunk of time.
Tyler Adams to miss three months
The World Cup is not for another almost six months, so the USMNT has some time to get its ducks in a row. They are the host country, and this feels like a make-or-break chance for this current crop of talented Americans.
There may have never been this much talent in American soccer. The USMNT is not a favorite to win the World Cup by any means, nor are they expected to make a deep run. They are, however, poised to make some noise. Or, they were poised before this latest injury news.
2022 World Cup captain and world-class defensive midfielder Tyler Adams has just gone down with a frustrating injury. “Tyler has torn his MCL, so he will definitely be out for some time,” Bournemouth coach Andoni Iraola said via ESPN. “From our previous experience with MCL injuries, it is normally around two or three months.”
“It’s a big blow because he is an important player for us,” he said. “Straight away, when you see the mechanism of the injury and the action itself we felt it could be something serious.”
How this affects USMNT
A torn MCL is not the worst injury to the knee an athlete can suffer. Had Tyler Adams torn his ACL, he’d all but assuredly be out for the World Cup. That would leave the US Men’s National Team without a leader and with a gaping hole in the midfield.
But this does affect the team anyway. He may only be out of action for three months of the six remaining before the Cup. But he’s going to be slow and need time to get back to game speed and top form, and the three months, assuming all goes well, remaining are not an ideal amount of time.
The Americans will play Belgium on March 28 in Atlanta. They’ll face Portugal there three days later. Then, they will take on Senegal in Charlotte on May 31 and Germany in Chicago on June 6. It is highly unlikely Adams plays until the May 31 match.
Insider asked valid question before Adams’ diagnosis
Just recently, ESPN insider Jeff Carlisle wondered if another Adams injury would hamper the United States.
“The injury comes at a time when Adams was near peak form, having just won the Premier League’s Goal of the Month for his 47-yard dart against Sunderland. The hope is that Adams will recover in time to take part in the March international window,” Carlisle wrote.
At the time, the hope was that it was just a strain. The full tear is so much worse, and it could derail the Americans. The talent is there to make a run and win their group. Christian Pulisic, Antonee Robinson, Gio Reyna, and Sergino Dest are all good players.
But without their captain and the anchor of the defense and the midfield, things get a little precarious. Adams likely will be active for the World Cup, but is he going to be on a minutes restriction? Can he go full tilt chasing down opposing strikers? These things will matter in tight games where the smallest of changes can have big impacts.
The USMNT is not a deep enough soccer team to withstand the loss of one of its best players, so the hope is that he makes a full recovery and gets back to form by June. Otherwise, we could be left wondering, “What if?”
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