Christian Pulisic and Tim Ream: The Pillars of the USA World Cup Squad
Ahead of the World Cup round of 16 clash against Belgium, veterans Christian Pulisic and Tim Ream anchor Mauricio Pochettino's US team.
Christian Pulisic et Tim Ream pendant le match de groupes remporté face au Paraguay (4-1), le 12 juin. (Kiyoshi Mio/Presse Sports) Christian Pulisic lors du seizième de finale remporté par les États-Unis face à la Bosnie-Herzégovine (2-0), le 1 juillet. (Kai River Kanzer/Icon Sport)
Ahead of their crucial World Cup round of 16 matchup against Belgium, all eyes are on two vital figures for the United States: "Captain America" Christian Pulisic and the squad's seasoned captain, Tim Ream.
For 27-year-old Christian Pulisic, currently with AC Milan, this tournament is another opportunity to prove his status as the face of American football. Despite immense public pressure, the winger has managed to maintain focus while remaining a national icon. A calf injury sustained after the opening match gave him time to recover while teammates like Folarin Balogun and Malik Tillman stepped up.
On the other side of the spectrum, team captain Tim Ream has become the oldest American to ever participate in a World Cup at 38 years old. After leaving Fulham in 2024, the defender moved to Charlotte in MLS, extending a career he initially planned to end four years ago.
Tim shows us the example, leads by his attitude and how he speaks. Some have one or the other, he has both, without imposing his presence. Chris Richards
Teammates speak highly of Ream's quiet authority; he is affectionately known as "Grandpa" within the squad. His defensive stability has been a cornerstone for Mauricio Pochettino's side, even following concerns over his physical sharpness earlier this spring.