Tyler Adams returns from MCL injury for Bournemouth, timely World Cup lift for the USMNT | OneFootball

Tyler Adams made his first appearance since 15 December, starting and playing 65 minutes in Bournemouth’s goalless draw at West Ham. According to NY Times, the USMNT midfielder had been out with an MCL injury suffered at Manchester United.

Bournemouth initially anticipated a two to three month layoff and the loss was seen as a major blow. Adams made the bench on 10 February in the 2-1 win over Everton but did not play, then returned to the XI 10 days later.

At the London Stadium he sat in front of the centre backs, kept possession tidy and covered ground. He intercepted balls aimed at Taty Castellanos and won duels across the pitch. He was late on Tomáš Souček once and was caught on the ball, yet his value was clear.

A USMNT regular for eight years, Adams missed long stretches in 2023 and 2024 with hamstring and back issues. With the setback arriving less than six months before the World Cup opener, fears disappeared on Saturday. He is back more than a month before the March international break and the penultimate pre-World Cup camp.

That window could aid his reintegration under United States coach Mauricio Pochettino after missing October for the birth of his second son and November after a head clash. The United States play Belgium and Portugal in March, which may be his first caps since September against South Korea and Japan. He captained at the 2022 World Cup and is expected to be central in 2026.

Source: NY Times