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United States defender Tim Ream Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Tim Ream defies age, expectations as USMNT’s veteran leader

By Alyssa Clang | Last updated Oct 6, 2025 11:01 PM ET

The United States Men's National Team is nicknamed the Baby Eagles because it features high-potential, young players. Cult favorite Diego Luna is 22; right back Alex Freeman is only 21.

But the USMNT won't win tournaments with youth alone — it also needs experience. For that, the USMNT often turns to veteran Tim Ream, a central defender who was called up again in early October.

Ream couldn't be further from the modern USMNT archetype. He's a former NCAA athlete who honed his skills at St. Louis University instead of at a foreign development camp, as many of his teammates have. He's been in and out of USMNT lineups for years, beloved by some coaches and forsaken by others.

Tim Ream has a lot of experience on international stage

At 38, Ream has played longer on the international stage than Argentina's Lionel Messi, Germany's Thomas Müller and Spain's Sergio Busquets. But despite all that — and maybe, to hear Ream tell it, because of it — he has persevered.

"For me, I've always maintained that I will push myself to the absolute maximum and wring every ounce of playing time that I can out of my body and my mind," Ream said in advance of the USMNT's October friendlies against Ecuador and Australia. "That's what I'm going to continue to do. I'm going to continue to push to be a starter."

"It may not work out that way — things change, things happen and you just never know — but I think it's important, especially as you start to get older, to set goals, set them high and try to reach them."

Of course, Ream wants to aid the USMNT any way he can — even if he's "the old guy in the corner handing out orange slices and giving pep talks to these guys."

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In a World Cup cycle filled with change, drama and pressure for the USMNT, Ream is one of the few consistent figures within the organization. He was there when the group got eliminated from the 2024 Copa America in the group stage under coach Gregg Berhalter; he was there when Berhalter got fired for it. He was in USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino's first lineup in October 2024; he's on the team now, too.

That consistency would be impressive regardless of Ream's age, but the fact that he's pulled it off in his late 30s is astounding. He has played 2112 minutes for Charlotte FC, his club team, in 2025, despite missing a chunk of the season to be with the national team during the Gold Cup.

In 2025, he started 11 games for the USMNT, captaining the team in 10 of them. He has played in myriad defensive systems and adapted his play to all of them — and he's done so without falling victim to injury or exhaustion.

"My focus from a young age was 'I want to be a professional, and I want to play for as long as I can.' That, I think, first and foremost, is important," Ream said when asked about how he'd managed that feat. "There are so many times that you're going to get knocked down in sport and in life. If you can get up one more time when you get knocked down, you're going to keep on going for as long as you really want to."

Ream, who turned 38 on Oct. 5, has earned a spot in the U.S. starting lineup based on his current form. He's one of the team's more consistent, dangerous and high-leverage defenders. Plus, he brings a sense of poise and calm to the USMNT back line.

With an impressive 2-0 victory over Japan in the rear-view mirror and fixtures against Ecuador (Friday, Oct. 10) and Australia (Tuesday, Oct. 14) upcoming, this young, new-look USMNT is soaring.

And Ream can take comfort from knowing he helped teach these Baby Eagles to fly.

All quotes original unless otherwise noted.

Alyssa Clang

Alyssa is a Boston-born Californian with a passion for global sport. She can yell about misplaced soccer passes in five languages and rattle off the turns of Silverstone in her sleep. You can find her dormant Twitter account at @alyssaclang, but honestly, you’re probably better off finding her here

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