Tyler Adams while playing for the Red Bulls vs. Toronto FC in the MLS playoffs. (John E. Sokolowski/USA TODAY Sports)
By Michael Lewis
FrontRowSoccer.com Editor
Acting U.S. head coach Dave Sarachan gave Tyler Adams some high praise after the team’s 1-1 draw with Portugal Tuesday night.
The Red Bulls midfielder made his international debut and played the entire 90 minutes in the internatonal friendly in Leiria, Portugal.
Sarachan singled out three players — midfielder Weston McKennie, who tallied the lone U.S. goal, former Red Bulls center back Matt Miazga and the 18-year-old Adams.
“I thought all three were very good tonight, I really did,” Sarachan told reporters during a post-game press conference. “I thought as a starting point they played with a lot of confidence. There was no fear. The moments that came for each player that were difficult moments I thought they handled well.
“Weston obviously getting the goal but not only that, his calmness on the ball and his ability to collect balls and play the next pass was very good tonight. Tyler, his engine is remarkable, and his energy was great throughout. And Matt was very solid in the back. All three guys over the course of 90 minutes had really a solid performance.”
Regardless who will coach the team then, it certainly would not be not surprising if the Wappingers Falls, N.Y. resident is called into U.S. camp in January.
In its first match since the 2-1 World Cup elimination loss at Trinidad & Tobago Oct. 10, the U.S. deployed a relatively young Starting XI against the third-ranked team in the world.
“It is a friendly, they had a mixed group, but we still had to come here and play on their soil, with a group of players that have only been together for six days,” Sarachan said. “Some knew each other, some didn’t. We put a lineup out with a plan. But they were the ones that went out and executed.
“What I told them after the game was 2017 was a difficult year for U.S soccer, and there were a lot of people out there that weren’t sure what this was going to look like tonight. I said to the group that I couldn’t be more proud, and the future is bright, because there were a number of players on this field that [could] have a really, I think, good and long career with the national team.”
If he continues his progress, Tyler Adams could be one of them.
