New York Red Bull midfielder Tyler Adams has departed for fitness camp with the United States U-20 Men’s National Team ahead of the U-20 World Cup.
Adams was officially selected to the World Cup team on Tuesday.
Red Bulls Head Coach Jesse Marsch said it was “hard to let Tyler go in a moment where he’s so valuable.”
Adams has started seven games for the Red Bulls this season, playing the full 90 in all but one game.
“Never easy when you lose guys, but its always an opportunity for someone else,” Marsch said.
The United States begins group play with a match against Ecuador on Monday, May 22 at 4 a.m. ET. The U.S. also faces Senegal on May 25, and Saudi Arabia on May 28. Should the U.S. advance, the round of 16 begins on May 30, with the tournament running through June 11 for the Final and third-place matches. All matches will be televised on FS1.
“It’s been long time out now, obviously, after winning the CONCACAF Championship, but we’re all excited to get going, head to South Korea for some big games ahead,” Adams said. “The last [U-20] group did a great job going to the Quarterfinals, but we look to extend that and even go farther than that… we have a good group, a lot of good guys and a lot of experienced guys that went to the last U-20 World Cup. With their experience and the young talent that we have, I think we’re going to do a good job going forward.”
Jesse Marsch talks about Tyler Adams departing for U-20 World Cup
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The head coach said that Adams’ absence allows midfielder Sean Davis to step up and get minutes.
“It certainly gives the chance for Sean Davis to establish himself and really get going and I know I think that we know he’ll pick up and be able to play very well,” Marsch said. “We’re excited for Sean and we’re excited for him to have a big opportunity and we know he’ll do well.”
Adams’ and Davis’ midfield partner Felipe said the team will miss one player, but have a similar player who is ready to play.
“Of couese we’re going to miss Tyler, but we have another great player who’s going to step in and make a difference,” Felipe said. “I’m pretty sure that Sean’s going to make a difference for us because he’s a good finisher, he can get forward and make a difference even in the final third for us. He’s a very good passer and he’s going to make a difference for our team and he’s going to bring what we need.”
Marsch said that the team is excited for Adams to see time at the World Cup level.
“[I’m] excited for him to go to the U-20s and now against his peers show what kind of player he is and I expect him to very well,” Marsch said. “I expect him to be a big factor for that team. It’s always fun to root our teams on in these international competitions and now with Tyler involved in it its an extra motivation for us.”
