United States legend and Charlotte FC defender Tim Ream has officially retired from the national team.
Ream, 38, made the announcement Tuesday before the USMNT's 4-2 friendly win over Chile, which was held at Energizer Stadium in his hometown of St. Louis, as part of a tribute to his career with the national team. He ends his international career with 86 caps -- 33 as captain -- over his 16-year career.
"It wasn't a difficult decision. You make it to a home World Cup, you get to captain the team. What else is there at almost [age 39]?" he said on the TNT broadcast. "For me, it was an easy decision, and age is the biggest factor."
A product of the conveyor belt that is the St. Louis soccer scene, Ream played youth soccer with famed club St. Louis Scott Gallagher, and then played collegiately at St. Louis University. He was drafted in the second round (18th overall) of the 2010 MLS SuperDraft by the New York Red Bulls. He was an instant starter and went on to win the 2010 MLS Rookie of the Year award.
Ream moved to Bolton Wanderers in 2012, making a total of 125 appearances with the club. But it was with English side Fulham FC that Ream spent the bulk of his career. He helped lead the Cottagers to promotion to the Premier League on three separate occasions and ended his career at Fulham with over 300 appearances in all competitions.
Ream was named Fulham's player of the year for the 2017-18 season.
One unique aspect of Ream's international career was how it came in two phases. He made his international debut against South Africa on Nov. 17, 2010. But by 2018 his international career seemed to be over. He then went on to earn 60 caps thereafter.
Ream was a late addition to the 2022 World Cup roster, but his form with Fulham saw him earn a starting spot in manager Gregg Berhalter's squad, and he kept his spot throughout the team's run through a round-of-16 exit at the hands of Netherlands.
Ream remained in the plans of manager Mauricio Pochettino when he was hired in September 2024, and was named captain right before the 2026 World Cup. He was also part of two U.S. teams that claimed the Concacaf Nations League in 2019-20 and 2023-24. He scored his lone international goal against Puerto Rico in a 2016 friendly.
"Honestly, I think the proudest is being named captain," Ream said. "If you look at trophies, the Nations League wins were so much fun. Just to be a part of the team that wins the very first one, the inaugural Nations League, nobody can take that away. So those are a couple moments for me."
Ream said the future for the U.S. is looking bright with a group of young talent, including 17-year-old Cavan Sullivan, that reminds him of when the current core of Giovanni Reyna, Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie was emerging.
"The thing that stands out to me with them is the same thing that stood out when the Westons, the Tylers, the Gios, these guys stepped in to the national team," Ream said. "They have a ridiculous amount of confidence, and it's refreshing. It borderlines being cocky, but I think you have to have that little bit of swagger. You have to have that that belief in yourself. They're still learning."
Ream said he will continue to play for for Charlotte, which he joined in August 2024, and has not made a decision on his future in the MLS beyond this season.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.