USMNT’s Tyler Adams feeling 'ready to go' after latest injury setback

Bournemouth, England — Tyler Adams says the stop-start nature of his season is behind him and that he is “ready to go” as AFC Bournemouth prepare for a daunting run-in that begins Saturday at league-leading Arsenal.

The 27-year-old United States midfielder has not played since early March, missing Premier League defeats of Burnley and Manchester United, and was left out of Mauricio Pochettino’s squad for recent friendlies against Belgium and Portugal. Yet after a fortnight of intensive work on England’s south coast during the international break, Adams has declared himself fit for the final seven league fixtures.

“I was here for the international break,” Adams told the club’s official website. “Unfortunately, I didn’t get to go and catch up with the US team. I had to watch from afar, but it was good to be here with the boys that stayed behind and get some good training in. I am feeling strong and ready to go.”

Adams’ latest lay-off followed a two-month absence after he tore the medial collateral ligament in his left knee while blocking a Matheus Cunha shot in Bournemouth’s 4-4 draw with Manchester United on 15 December. He returned in February, but continued discomfort curtailed his minutes and ultimately sidelined him again.

The New York native has featured 19 times in all competitions this season, scoring twice and assisting once, yet injuries have stalked his Bournemouth tenure since a £23 million move from Leeds United in August 2023. A hamstring issue and subsequent back problem restricted him to only a handful of appearances in his first campaign; the back complaint required surgery and wiped out the opening two months of the 2024-25 schedule.

Head coach Andoni Iraola listed Adams as “in contention” for the Emirates Stadium clash, a boost for a Cherries side chasing a club-record points tally. Adams, who has 52 senior caps, has not represented his country since September and is eager to book a ticket to the 2026 World Cup after captaining the U.S. in Qatar 2022.

“It also gave me a period of time to get stronger, get more fit and focus on the objectives with the boys here,” Adams said of the recent break. “The guys that stayed behind focused on training, focused on staying sharp, staying fit in preparation for a big game this weekend. I’m feeling consistent, I’m feeling strong now, and I think it’s just important to finish the season strong.”

Former U.S. striker and ESPN contributor Charlie Davies believes Adams’ return could not come at a better time for Pochettino’s evolving squad. “There is no like-for-like replacement for Adams on the USMNT,” Davies said. “His fight, his leadership, the respect he commands — when he is not on the pitch there is a clear void. When you get that back, it’s huge.”

With Bournemouth sitting comfortably in mid-table and Adams declaring himself available, both club and country will hope the midfielder’s injury nightmare is finally over as the Premier League enters its decisive stretch.