Tim Ream Announces Retirement from USMNT After 16-Year Career
- Tim Ream has announced his retirement from the United States men's national team, concluding a 16-year international career.
- Ream, who currently plays for Charlotte FC, noted that the decision was finalized before the recent camp.
- Ream's tenure with the USMNT began with his debut in November 2010.
Tim Ream has announced his retirement from the United States men’s national team, concluding a 16-year international career. The defender confirmed his decision while speaking to media in his hometown of St. Louis on Tuesday, stepping away from the national team after more than a decade of representing the United States.
Ream, who currently plays for Charlotte FC, noted that the decision was finalized before the recent camp. Regarding the timing of his departure, he stated, I’m proud of being a part of something for 16 years, but it is time to step away and stay away from playing with the national team.
A Long International Career
Ream’s tenure with the USMNT began with his debut in November 2010. Among all outfield players to represent the national team, only DaMarcus Beasley has a longer gap between his first and last caps. His career path was marked by periods of inconsistency; after earning seven caps between 2010 and 2011, he did not feature again until after the 2014 World Cup. He was absent from the squad throughout 2018 before returning for 14 appearances in 2019.
A significant resurgence occurred in 2022 when he earned a recall to the squad, ultimately starting every game for the U.S. at the World Cup in Qatar. He remained a regular presence leading up to the 2026 World Cup, where he served as captain and started four matches. Reflecting on his time with the team, Ream emphasized the importance of the entire journey, including navigating through periods of turmoil and setbacks.
Trophies and Reflections
Throughout his 16-year tenure, Ream represented the U.S. at two World Cups and was a member of the squads that secured the CONCACAF Nations League titles in 2020 and 2024. Despite these accolades, he noted that he does not view any single moment as his proudest achievement.
- Ream described the last four years as the most enjoyable period of his international career.
- He intends to continue his club career with Charlotte FC, though he has not yet made decisions regarding his future beyond the current season.
- He characterized his exit as a formal retirement, noting that the team had previously discussed how to label his departure from the international stage.