Ream savoring World Cup success

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If you’ve watched the groundswell under the U.S. Men’s national team this World Cup and sense that the momentum started at their exhibition game against Senegal in Charlotte on May 31, you’re not alone.

Charlotte FC defender and now captain for the U.S., Tim Ream, felt that energy at Bank of America Stadium and credited Charlotte with providing the first step in the buildup to the U.S.’s dynamic start to group play and a berth into the Round of 32.

Ream played all 90 minutes in dominant wins over Paraguay and Australia, helping the U.S. claim its first back-to-back wins to start a World Cup since 1930.

“It was just so incredible,” Ream said during a mid-week Zoom call with media from Charlotte and his hometown, St. Louis. “The crowds we've been getting everywhere we've gone, starting in Charlotte, moving to Chicago (for exhibitions), L.A. and then Seattle. It’s been so amazing to be a part of.”

As the U.S. prepares to play Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday in San Francisco in the Round of 32, Charlotte is living vicariously through its familiar man-bunned backline defender.

The 38-year-old veteran offered his take on what it’s been like to play in his second World Cup but first in his home country. Ream said he got chills during Wednesday’s Zoom just fielding a question about what it’s been like standing on the field during the national anthem.

“I keep telling people that this is living a dream,” Ream said. “At 22, when I left (for England), it was a dream, and now here I am. But it’s not a dream. It's real life.”

For parts of the last three seasons in Charlotte, we’ve watched Ream put his hand on his heart during the national anthem as Charlotte FC fans sing along, as is the tradition at Bank of America Stadium. Ream knows eyes are drawn to him, since he also represents the U.S. national team.

But what about hearing and singing the anthem along with 66,925 red, white and blue clad fans at Lumen Stadium in Seattle at a World Cup game?

First of all, Ream explained, for his 13 years playing in England, mostly with Fulham FC, national anthems are not played pregame. So just to hear it in MLS was something he appreciated. As for the World Cup, Ream said he starts thinking about the past.

“It's all the decisions I've made has been to get to that point,” he said. “Then, I think of who I represent. It starts small. My family, my wife, my three young ones, knowing they're in the seats, being able to watch something so special and so unique. Then you open it up to community, where I play, my hometown. Then you open it up to country, and all of a sudden, you realize you're one of 330-plus million people, standing out there side-by-side with 25 other guys who are trying to achieve something super special and super meaningful. That for me is the pride.”

Next up: Round of 32

This U.S. team won back-to-back games in the group stage for the first time in its World Cup history, before losing Thursday night to Turkey. A 2-1 record in group play was still enough to win the group.

“We truly believe that we can go on and win things,” Ream said. “We truly believe we can make an incredible run, and we believe in each other. That's the biggest thing.”

Time together off the field, Ream said, has made their bond stronger. Life as a member of a national team during the World Cup is pretty insulated. U.S. players are staying together in a Ritz-Carlton resort in Dana Point, Calif., (south of Los Angeles) that overlooks the Pacific, 30 minutes from their training facility. Their wives and children are staying at another hotel a short distance away, Ream said.

“There's a friends and family program that's been set up,” he said. “We have set time, set days we see them, barbecues that are set up between the team hotel and the family hotel. We’re able to have as much of a normal family feeling as you possibly can during a World Cup.”

As a team, he says, players stay busy with training and recovery, medical and media obligations. In their free time, they’ve been watching the NBA finals, NHL finals and, of course, World Cup games.

“I'm trying to watch at least bits and pieces of every game,” Ream said. “I'm trying to strike a balance, trying to enjoy every moment, what we're doing, where we are, who we're with, while also paying attention to the potential outcomes of each game.”

This World Cup has 16 more teams (48) and 40 more games than in 2022 in Qatar. And that’s just one of the ways it feels different to Ream.

“Whether that's because we're hosting or because we're playing really well, this is what a World Cup should feel like,” Ream said.

When the U.S. last hosted a World Cup in 1994, Ream was 6. Watching the U.S. play on TV was one of the reasons he fell in love with soccer. Playing for the U.S. now is what Ream calls a full-circle moment.

“We hope it inspires more and more people to be on this journey, to pick up the ball and have this sport be their go-to,” Ream said. “To inspire multiple generations of people, from kids to adults to anybody in between, is something we're really trying to do and hopefully continue to do long after the tournament is finished.”

A 3-0 loss to Brazil dropped Scotland to a 1-2 record, in third place in its group, with just a 7.3% chance to advance in the World Cup, according to data and metrics company Opta on Thursday. That means their time training at Charlotte FC’s facilities is likely nearing a close.

Midfielder John McGinn, who scored the lone goal in Scotland’s brightest spot of the World Cup, a 1-0 win over Haiti, had glowing things to say about Atrium Health Performance Park, his time in Charlotte and his former coach at Aston Villa, Charlotte FC “gaffer” Dean Smith.

“When we’re around Charlotte, everyone’s aware that we’re here, and everyone’s been so friendly and welcoming,” he said.

(Not to worry when watching the video, McGinn’s Scottish brogue is “translated” in captions.)

McGinn references scoring in the 28th minute against Haiti, which proved symbolic with Scotland’s 28-year absence since its last World Cup. He also mentions connections to Charlotte FC technical director Tommy Wilson and director of high performance (conditioning, in essence) John Currie.

Not only is Charlotte FC finalizing a deal to bring in French winger Allan Saint-Maximin to replace departing Wilfried Zaha, according to multiple reports, the club could have another new designated player in the fold when their MLS season resumes July 22. Tom Bogert of The Athletic reported that Greek club PAOK has opened talks with Charlotte FC to sign Israeli winger Liel Abada, and that other European teams are interested as well.

Now Charlotte general manager Zoran Krneta could have a second DP spot to fill this summer window, and one which has been much less fruitful than Zaha’s.

Abada, 24, has played in 77 games since arriving from Scotland’s Celtic in 2024 but he has been scoreless while making just four starts in Charlotte’s first 15 games this season. Charlotte FC plays Atlanta United on July 22.

(PAOK is the same club where Karol Swiderski was playing before Charlotte FC signed him as the franchise’s first-ever designated player. Swiderski, meanwhile, just signed with Panathinaikos to return to the Greek Super League as of July 1.)

When/Where: Wednesday, 8 p.m., Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, Calif.

How to watch: FOX or stream on FOX ONE.

How to listen: WFNZ 92.7 in English, WOLS 106.1 in Spanish.

Notable

Carroll Walton is a longtime baseball writer with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution now in her fifth season covering Charlotte FC. She would love to hear from you. E-mail her with questions, suggestions, story ideas and comments!