ST. LOUIS — U.S. men’s national team defender Tim Ream said that it’s easy to have Tim Weah back in the squad, and there had been little discussion in this camp about the red card that Weah received against Panama during the Copa América.
The incident, in which Weah struck Panama defender Roderick Miller, played a significant role in the USMNT’s 2-1 defeat to the Canaleros in July, and subsequent group stage elimination in the Copa América. Gregg Berhalter was fired as head coach following the tournament.
Weah received a two-match suspension, the second game of which was served during last Thursday’s 1-0 win over Jamaica in the first leg of the quarterfinals in the Concacaf Nations League. The second leg is set for Monday night in St. Louis, with Weah expected to be back in the starting lineup.
“I don’t think there’s been too much discussion in this camp at all regarding that situation,” Ream said during Saturday’s media availability, in reference to Weah’s red card. “And obviously, emotions run high and situations happen in games. But I think everything that needed to be said was said straight after that Panama game.
“That’s not even dressing him down and yelling at him or telling him that he’s messed up. He knew that himself, and that’s the sign of somebody who understands their role. It’s the sign of a good group of a good team that we didn’t have to.
“You could see it on his face from the minute we walked in inside from that game. So I mean, easy for us to have him back, easy for him to just jump back in and be with the group and be with the guys. It’s probably been harder for him being away from the last two camps than anything.”
As for Ream, the U.S. captain continues to defy the odds, with the 37-year-old still a key figure under new head coach Mauricio Pochettino. Ream moved to MLS side Charlotte FC earlier this year after spending over a decade in England with Bolton Wanderers and Fulham.
He said he still wants to keep playing, and doesn’t feel like age is creeping on him.
“I think it definitely helps coming in next to these guys here who are 24, 25, 26 and listening to them and just having conversations with them,” Ream said, pointing to fellow center back Mark McKenzie, who is 25.
“I still feel young. I feel great, still feel like I can play at least two to three more years, and as long as I continue to be happy and healthy — mentally, physically, emotionally — and still have that desire to go out and train every single day and play every single weekend, I don’t see it stopping anytime soon.”
The U.S. has a one-goal lead but the Reggae Boyz will have little to lose heading into Monday’s second leg. The away goals rule, which sees away goals counting double in the event of a tie on aggregate, will be in force.
The U.S. will also be without midfielders Aidan Morris and Johnny Cardoso. Morris is out with a sprained knee and has traveled to Columbus, Ohio, to continue his rehab before rejoining English club side Middlesbrough. Cardoso suffered a left hamstring strain, and will fly out later on Saturday to return to his club, Real Betis. In addition to Weah’s return, Brenden Aaronson is available after recovering from an illness that kept him out of the first leg.
McKenzie expects Jamaica to make some adjustments heading into the match, but added that it’s up to the U.S. to build on Thursday’s result.
“They’re obviously going to break down film and figure out ways where they can hurt us,” he said. “But at the same time, for us as a team, it’s about continuing to build on the foundations that we’ve already been building on and continue to find those areas, those details where we need to improve.
“And ultimately adjusting because we can do all the Xs and Os and training and the meetings and on the board, but at the end of the day, once we step on the pitch, it’s about solving problems and creating solutions, finding solutions for whatever difficulties or challenges they may throw at us.”