United States captain Tim Ream’s retirement has been confirmed as he announced his decision to hang up his boots with the national team at the age of 38.
Ream announced it at his hometown of St Louis, Missouri, ahead of the friendly between the United States and Chile. The veteran defender has 86 caps on his international record and was a major contributor to the USMNT from numerous tournament cycles.
The Charlotte FC defender made his debut for the United States at this year’s World Cup on home soil and captained the team all tournament. The Americans are eliminated in the last 16 after losing to Belgium. Ream also added two CONCACAF Nations League championships to his international name as well as a number of silverware awards, spanning over 15 years of his career.
The defender started his career in Major League Soccer before making a career change to English football, where he played for Bolton Wanderers and Fulham. His time in England also made him a regular for the United States in a long spell of times of international competition.
Before the Chile friendly Ream told reporters that he was proud of his time with the national team but felt it was time for him to move on.
“That’s it for me. I’m happy to say I’m a part of something for 16 years, but it’s time to get out of the national team,” Ream said. He joins the international group of a career which saw him make 86 appearances and take on leadership duties and significant CONCACAF awards.
The United States will now play in the next round without Ream, who has been unavailable for international selection, and one of their most veteran players and captains.
