Tyler Adams impressed U.S. acting coach Dave Sarachan in his international debut. (Photo courtesy of MLS)
By Michael Lewis
FrontRowSoccer.com Editor
Oops.
Denis Hamlett let it slip out that Tyler Adams was headed for U.S. men’s national team camp next week.
Not that it was a big surprise. Given his performance in his international debut in a 1-1 draw at Portugal in November, the 18-year-old Adams is on the national team radar.
Hamlett, the Red Bulls sporting director, said that the Wappingers Falls, N.Y. resident was called up while explaining a situation concerning left back Kemar Lawrence.
Damani Ralph, Lawrence’s agent, told the Jamaica Gleaner Sunday that several European teams are interested in the Jamaican international defender, including Turkish powers Fenerbahce and Trabzonspor.
“No contact as far as Kemar Lawrence,” Hamlett said during Thursday’s conference call with the media. “Nothing has come across. I’m not sure about the report that came out of Jamaica, how much validity was there to that.”
Coming off an outstanding year for club and country, the 25-year-old Lawrence is expected to report for preseason camp later this month.
“We’re excited having Kemar back starting preseason in a couple of weeks, along with Tyler,” Hamlett said. “There’s rumors out there. We don’t get caught up in discussing rumors. We’re excited to have both players join our camp in a couple of weeks and obviously Tyler going to the U.S. national team camp in a week.”
After the draw with Portugal, U.S. acting head coach Dave Sarachan singled out three players — midfielder Weston McKennie, who tallied the lone U.S. goal, former Red Bulls center back Matt Miazga and Adams.
“I thought all three were very good tonight, I really did,” he said. “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.”
The U.S. will train at the StubHub Center in Carson, Calif.
The roster announcement is expected to be made Monday.
