Tim Ream on World Cup hosting pressure: “We need to embrace it”

Representing your nation at a World Cup is a rare thing, a privilege that most of the game’s all-time greats have never experienced. It is the ultimate sporting combination: the chance to play for your country, on the biggest stage, in front of your own fans.

For each member of the United States men’s national team, this summer’s tournament could be the defining moment of their career. That could bring unwanted pressure, the sense that a life’s work comes down to the outcome of just a handful of games. But for USMNT stalwart Tim Ream this summer will not be about blocking out the pressure, but embracing it.

“It’s a World Cup. The pressure is ramped and amped, no matter where you’re playing,” Ream told AS USA. “We understand that the expectations are higher. But the pressure? It shouldn’t change.”

“So you can reframe it; why not embrace the pressure? Why not understand that there’s so many people who would love to be in our position and would love to be in our shoes and be a part of this group. Whatever 26 guys are there, they have to embrace that and have to understand that.”

“I’ve always said pressure is a privilege. There’s a reason we feel that pressure. It’s because we are a group of players who are at the top, at the pinnacle of the sport in our country and we need to embrace that.”

Proving the doubters wrong

Now 38 years old, few thought that Ream will still be in contention to appear at this landmark tournament. He left the Premier League two years ago, returning to MLS to sign for Charlotte FC. He is a player who, by his own admission, has been repeatedly written off for much of his career, and yet he is poised to captain the USMNT at a home World Cup, trusted by head coach Mauricio Pochettino as one of his most dependable lieutenants.

His role in the national team remains the subject of discussion, but Ream will not let it be a distraction: “In some ways I understand it. Should I be here at 38? That’s up for debate, but I am still here, and I am still pushing myself and trying to reach and achieve my goals.”

“It doesn’t affect me one way or another, what people are going to say about me. You can’t please everybody,” Ream added. “Not everybody’s gonna think that you fit, or that you should be somewhere. And the beauty of that is that only I can decide.”

With that in mind, it is no surprise that Ream is relishing this chance to make history. The United States’ best World Cup performance remains the quarter-final appearance at the 2002 tournament, beating rivals Mexico in the process.

24 years on, with a talented group of players, an experienced head coach and the support of a home crowd, there are real hopes that the US can do something similar this summer. For Ream, in the twilight of his career, it is an opportunity to be savored.

Ream made his first USMNT appearance in 2010 and has now racked up 80 caps for his country. But even a player of his experienced admits to some nerves ahead of the team’s squad announcement on May 26. All indications suggest that Ream will be chosen, likely relied on, by Pochettino but the Missouri-born veteran is taking nothing for granted.

“If someone tells you they’re not nervous and it isn’t a bit stressful, then they’re probably completely lying to you,” he said. “I’m usually the one saying, ‘Yeah, I’m great, it’s all good’, but this one’s a little bit different.“

“I never take it for granted, I never assume and think that I’m a lock, a guarantee or anything like that. So I’m not quite biting my fingernails, but I’m anxiously waiting.”

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