Tyler Adams is an American professional soccer player. He plays primarily as a midfielder and here are a few facts about him.
Tyler Adams is a professional soccer player from the United States who currently plays for Leeds United in the Premier League and the United States men's national soccer team. He was born on February 14, 1999, in Wappingers Falls, New York.
Adams started his youth soccer career with the New York Red Bulls academy at the age of 12. He made his professional debut for the New York Red Bulls II, the reserve team of the New York Red Bulls, in the United Soccer League (USL) at the age of 16 in 2015. In 2017, he made his first-team debut for the New York Red Bulls in the Major League Soccer (MLS).
In January 2019, Adams was signed by RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga for a transfer fee of around €4.5 million. He made an immediate impact with the club, scoring his first goal for the team in his second game. Adams is known for his versatility on the field, as he can play in multiple positions, including central midfield, right-back, and centre-back.
Currently, Adams plays for Leeds United in the Premier League having signed for the club in 2022 for a reported fee of €17 million. As of 26th April, the American has featured in 24 Premier League games with the club playing as their primary centre-back.
Adams has also had a successful international career with the United States men's national soccer team. He made his debut for the team in 2017 and has since become a regular player. He played a crucial role in helping the United States qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Adams is widely regarded as one of the most promising young American soccer players and has been praised for his work rate, intelligence, and technical ability on the field.
Off the field, Adams is known for his philanthropy work. He founded the Tyler Adams Foundation, which aims to provide opportunities for underprivileged youth in soccer and education. He has also been involved in various initiatives to support social justice causes.
This article will showcase some essential facts about Adam's life and career, including his time at RB Leipzig.
GOAL takes you through 13 fun facts about the USMNT midfielder.
Scaling an uphill path
Adams' life took a "grind" to get where it is now. He was born and reared in Wappingers Falls, New York on February 14, 1999. At the tender age of 11, the New York Red Bull Academy snatched him up. As exciting as it may sound, it also required a daily 150-mile roundtrip commute to and from training.
"Being in school and having to do the drive, it was definitely a big commitment," he told US Soccer. "Having to go to practice from 8:30 pm to 10:00 pm. I wouldn't get back home until midnight. Waking up the next day at 7:00 am and having to go to school, definitely wasn't the typical teenage schedule. This drive was always a part of my challenge. It's helped me in a big way."
AdvertisementAnti-Celtic family
Adams may have represented the USA from junior all the way to senior levels, but he also possesses a Scottish link. He told the Player's Tribune, "My grandfather on my stepdad's side of the family was from Scotland and immigrated to the USA with his girlfriend in 1961.
"They didn’t bring much with them, but they did have their soccer fandom. The whole Scottish side of our family is die-hard Rangers fans. I can’t even wear a green shirt around them because that’s Celtic’s colours — their rivals. I made that mistake once. I was told that if I wanted to eat with the rest of the family I had to change. I thought it was a joke. It was not a joke. I mean, my uncle Alan even has a dog named Ranger, and if you say the word Celtic to the dog, it growls."
Getty'Assist' for Thierry Henry
When Adams was progressing through the New York Red Bulls' development programme, Thierry Henry was the team's most well-known player. Despite the fact that their names were never on the same teamsheet due to their differing age groups, Adams did contribute to one of the French superstar's most well-known MLS goals.
Henry scored a legendary ‘Olimpico’ goal in off the far post direct from a corner against Columbus Crew in September 2012. The name of the ball boy who passed him the ball for his iconic strike? None other than Tyler Adams, a self-confessed fan of the forward. "As a kid, I had a poster of him in my room," he told Bild. "I often watched his games for Arsenal or Barcelona. I was then able to train with him. I became a professional because of Henry. He was my motivation."
Extra-curricular activities
The supremely talented USMNT player is also a bit of a hooper, the midfielder is often seen showcasing his basketball skills on the court. While he did become a professional footballer, in school Adams was much more recognized as the point guard for his high-school basketball team.
The USMNT star revealed that he also likes a bit of wildlife photography from time to time as it helps him get his mind off the pitch and relax during his downtime.