Tyler Adams Says Becoming a Dad Changed How He Handles Pressure Ahead of the World Cup (Exclusive)
The U.S. men’s national soccer player has teamed up with Scotts to advocate for natural grass fields
Tyler Adams for Scotts Credit: Scotts NEED TO KNOW Tyler Adams tells PEOPLE how becoming a father has helped him separate soccer from home life and manage pressure better The former U. S. men’s national team captain hopes the 2026 World Cup inspires more kids to pursue soccer in America Adams advocates for natural grass fields, saying they are better for athletes’ recovery and long-term physical health When Tyler Adams thinks about the pressure surrounding this summer’s World Cup, his mind doesn’t immediately go to stadiums, fans or even soccer.
It goes to home. As the U. S.
men’s national team prepares to compete on home soil during the 2026 World Cup , Adams says becoming a father (to two sons, born in January 2024 and October 2025) has dramatically reshaped the way he approaches both pressure and perspective. The midfielder, who captained Team USA during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and became the youngest U. S.
captain at the tournament since 1950, says family life now serves as a constant reminder not to let the highs and lows of the sport consume him. “When you come home and you have a bad day or an amazing day, your kids don’t ask you how soccer was,” Adams tells PEOPLE exclusively while taking about his partnership with Scotts . “You come home and they’re saying, ‘Let’s go for a bike ride or let’s go outside and play.