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Tyler Adams has his sights set on silverware. Although the dream of the U.S. men's national team pulling off an unlikely World Cup triumph fell short this past summer, guiding the team toward trophy-winning moments remains a top priority.
Over the past two years, the USMNT's focus was on developing under Mauricio Pochettino's guidance and identifying the ideal setup to compete at the World Cup. That came at the expense of a fourth-place finish in the 2025 Concacaf Nations League and a deflating showing in the Gold Cup final against Mexico.
Unlike in Europe, where World Cups and Euros carry near-equal weight, the U.S. doesn't face the same dual-competition balancing act. Still, that doesn't make claiming a regional title any less significant to the broader development process.
"Winning trophies is incredibly important. That feeling is infectious. I think you saw it when we were under Gregg Berhalter winning those three Nations Leagues — it's just that sense of knowing that in any competition, you've been in those high-pressure situations before and you know what it takes," Adams tells Sports Illustrated. "Getting that feeling at a younger age, so that you're hungry to chase it again and want it again, is so important... I think it will be crucial throughout the next cycle."
With 2030 on the horizon as the long-term goal, the USMNT will have its first opportunity to claim a trophy in March, provided it advances through the Nations League quarterfinals in November. Following that, the 2027 Gold Cup looms, ahead of a likely invitation to the 2028 Copa América, which has yet to be officially confirmed.
The approach to regional success differs greatly from that of building a playing style capable of competing at World Cup level. While Pochettino may continue in his role, the focus will need to balance the generational transition toward 2030 with the value of short-term results and what those experiences can mean for a squad.
"Tactically, you're never going to be as polished with a national team as you are with a club, simply because you can't train together every single day," Adams adds. "It's not always easy to build chemistry with your best players... There are many factors at play, but the Nations League, Gold Cup, Copa América — those competitions are essential for experiencing what it's like to play in knockout matches, games with a bit more pressure, and to prepare you for the biggest stages."
World Cup Fan Boost Provides Hope for Better Crowds
The pursuit of trophies will see a wide range of players called into the squad, with the likes of 16-year-old Cavan Sullivan potentially featuring as a youthful depth option, while experienced figures like Adams himself are expected to remain central pieces.
However, this summer shifted how U.S. soccer is perceived by supporters and could transform the atmosphere at home matches, given that the U.S. rarely competes away from American soil.
There is optimism that home game crowds could grow and lean more heavily toward U.S. support, compared to the frequently hostile atmospheres that have become common at friendlies and other matches on home turf, particularly against Latin American opponents.
"I think the win against Australia was massive, and just walking around as a team afterward, celebrating those goals, singing 'Country Roads' — that was a moment for me that young players and fans will look back on and say they want to be part of," Adams says. "You sort of expect that energy moving forward in terms of fan support."
His optimism follows Pochettino's repeated frustrations with U.S. fan turnout over two years, which included public appeals after a sparse crowd attended a November friendly against Paraguay in Philadelphia.
MLS, Youth Soccer Takes Next Steps
As much as the USMNT's progression matters, so does the broader growth of soccer in the country. That charge is being led by MLS fanbases, which have expanded steadily since Adams departed the league for RB Leipzig in 2018 — a move that eventually took him to the Premier League.
The quality of MLS has also risen considerably since his time in the league, with the majority of the USMNT's World Cup roster having experience in the domestic top flight and nine players coming directly from the league.
"Even just looking at the growth of the fanbases, the facilities, the stadiums — all these soccer-specific developments happening in MLS right now are so important for the league's growth," Adams says. "Fans are just going to keep growing, especially off the back of that World Cup, because people now share a passion for supporting and growing the game."
At the same time, that domestic growth extends down to the youth level, where Adams has helped spearhead a mini-pitch initiative across the country aimed at expanding access to youth soccer and creating safe spaces for children to play.
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And while it can all begin at the grassroots level and progress into MLS, the entire U.S. soccer project ultimately culminates with the national team. The long-term ambition is to win a World Cup. For now, though, it's about taking the necessary steps — growing the game, collecting trophies, and capitalizing on a defining moment for the sport.
"Not every kid can walk to a field, and not every kid has the chance to even drive to one nearby, so placing these mini-pitches in communities where kids can walk to them, or parents can drop them off without worry — that's the kind of exposure we need," says Adams. "That's how we'll grow the game."