Tyler Adams earned the start in midfield for the United States on Sunday for the team’s Copa America 2-0 win over Bolívia, marking his first appearance in the starting IX since the Concacaf Nations League final on March 24.
The 25-year-old Adams played the opening half as the U.S. took a 2-0 lead over Bolivia, but was replaced at half-time by Yunus Musah. The Americans did not extend their lead after the break, but it was not for a shortage of chances, as Bolivia keeper Guillermo Viscarra made a string of good saves.
Adams had been hampered by back spasms this spring and missed most of the Premier League season for Bournemouth. He returned to the field for the USMNT off the bench on June 12 in a 1-1 draw with Brazil, playing the final 14 minutes.
“Tyler’s been sharp,” U.S. defender Chris Richards told reporters on Saturday. “You wouldn’t have known that he hadn’t played many games this season. I think that’s one of the reasons that he’s considered one of our captains, because [of] the aura that he has, whether it’s him leading from the sidelines or him leading on the pitch.”
USMNT head coach Gregg Berhalter said on Saturday that everyone, including Adams, would be available for selection in the team’s Copa America opener against Bolivia. Josh Sargent, who has not appeared for the U.S. since the 2022 World Cup due to various injuries, is available for selection off the bench against Bolivia.
Adams scored a stunning game-winning goal in his last start for the USMNT, a 2-0 victory over Mexico in the Nations League final.
Berhalter made two changes to the starting lineup from the Brazil match with Adams replacing Yunus Musah in midfield, and forward Folarin Balogun starting in place of Ricardo Pepi.
