Tyler Adams, a midfielder who has become a familiar face on the U.S. men’s national team, is turning his off‑field ambitions into a tangible effort to broaden soccer’s reach in America.
Mini‑Pitches in South Fulton
In the Atlanta suburb of South Fulton, Georgia, Adams and his partners at Allstate and the U.S. Soccer Foundation have broken ground on a series of compact pitches designed for neighborhoods that previously lacked safe playing spaces. The project aims to give children a place to kick a ball, learn teamwork and develop confidence, turning vacant lots into grassroots hubs.
Adams reflects on his own journey, recalling how the 2022 World Cup in Qatar felt like a home tournament despite being thousands of miles away, with fans and media rallying behind the squad. Under then‑coach Gregg Berhalter the team navigated a tactical evolution that culminated in a three‑center‑back system introduced by new head coach Mauricio Pochettino, who took over in 2024 and guided the side through the 2025 Gold Cup and the recent World Cup.
The shift in style was evident in matches against Turkey and Brazil, where fluid movement and versatility defined the U.S. approach, though the campaign ended abruptly with a round‑of‑16 loss to Belgium. Adams was candid about the defeat, noting that the team did not execute its game plan and that the experience offers lessons for the future.
Moments That Stick
Among the tournament’s highlights, Adams points to the 2‑0 group‑stage victory over Australia in Seattle as his favorite memory. After the final whistle, players and supporters alike sang “Country Roads,” a moment that captured the camaraderie and national pride that define the World Cup experience.
Looking ahead to the 2030 World Cup, Adams says his focus is on savoring the present while keeping his sights set on the next global stage, hoping the mini‑pitches he builds will continue to inspire the next generation of players.