For the duration of Gregg Berhalter’s tenure as United States men’s national team coach, the captaincy has been a revolving door, with the U.S. instead employing a leadership council featuring multiple players and an armband that has made the rounds. But for the World Cup, a captain must be picked, and Berhalter has made his choice—with the help of his players.
Midfield star Tyler Adams will don the armband for the U.S. in Qatar, Berhalter announced on Sunday on the eve of the Americans’ opener against Wales. Adams makes for a fine choice, a clear leader on this young team both on and off the field and one who has shown no hesitancy to be a vocal presence when needed. While Christian Pulisic has so often been given the hand-me-down “Captain America” moniker overseas (he has, to be fair, worn the armband on occasion), it’s Adams who will technically take that title in 2022 instead.
“We're proud to announce Tyler's the captain for the World Cup,” Berhalter said Sunday. “He leads by his actions and his words, so we're proud to have him as a captain.”
