USA’s Tim Ream: ‘I don’t have many more of these camps left. I don’t take it for granted’
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The United States’ remarkably durable veteran is making his case for Mauricio Pochettino’s World Cup squad with 500 days to go before the big show kicks off on home soil. On Saturday in Fort Lauderdale, Mauricio Pochettino leads the United States in his fifth match in charge of the aspirational co-hosts of the next World Cup. All of his star players are absent. But the mandate remains the same: prepare the program for a history-making run when the US launch their cause in Inglewood.
![[Tim Ream of the United States advances the ball during the first half against Panama at Q2 Stadium on 12 October 2024 in Austin, Texas.]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/b8952179d565d23ffa8289c184e95db5cb10e116/0_0_6493_4331/master/6493.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
Given the present timing – the US are set to host friendlies with Venezuela and Costa Rica outside of an official Fifa window – Pochettino’s third camp is a youth-driven affair, defined by hopeful talents with an outside chance of making the World Cup team. Potentially, a few could break in. A handful of positions in particular need are worth studying closely: center-back, goalkeeper, an understudy at full-back or two. In light of the team’s needs, not to mention the laudable staying power of one particular veteran, a pivotal figure to observe in this off-window affair is that of 37-year-old center-back: Tim Ream.
Ream has started and gone the full 90 in all four games of Pochettino’s still-embryonic era. He wore the captain’s armband in a win against Panama, a loss at Mexico, then two straight victories over Jamaica in November. Pochettino is of course familiar with Ream from his time coaching in the Premier League, as Ream charted an impressive, 12-year career in England before moving to Charlotte FC last August. His respect for Ream’s experience and skillset is apparent.
