St. Louis native Tim Ream, this summer’s U.S. Men’s National Team captain, was conspicuously absent from manager Mauricio Pochettino’s first post-World Cup roster ahead of a four-match slate of friendlies, including the USMNT’s return to St. Louis for a match against Chile on September 29.
As the USMNT looks to the 2028 Copa América and the 2030 World Cup, it marks Pochettino’s first chance to integrate a new group of young players. The 38-year-old Ream is likely the odd man out as his illustrious career winds down. Of course, Ream wasn’t the only exclusion—notable stars Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, and Folarin Balogun were also left off the roster. Instead, the lineup included a number of teenage phenoms, including New England’s Peyton Miller, Philadelphia’s Cavan Sullivan, and Orlando’s Justin Ellis.
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Similar to the final tour for U.S. Women’s National Team captain and St. Louis native Becky Sauerbrunn, the USMNT is serendipitously returning to St. Louis for its fan appreciation tour. Ream will be honored for his impact on St. Louis soccer and for captaining the national team as the oldest U.S. player to ever compete in a World Cup. He will kick off the festivities during a Q&A session at the American Outlaws’ Night Before Party beginning at 8:30 p.m. on Monday at Amsterdam Tavern (3175 Morgan Ford). Ream will then be recognized for his 86 caps, one goal, and four assists ahead of the match on Tuesday night.
While Ream hasn’t always been the flashiest name on the roster, he has consistently exuded a calm presence during some of the team’s biggest tests. Over the past seven years, the Saint Louis University alum has become a mainstay in the USMNT’s back line. As younger players came and went, Ream seemed indispensable as the U.S. shifted from a back-four to a back-three, then reverted back for most of the summer.
Now, young defenders like Fankie Westfield and Neil Pierre will look to seize the opportunity. At the same time, Ream’s absence means a changing of the guard for St. Louis natives in the national team lineup. There isn’t a clear heir apparent, with both Josh Sargent and Patrick Schulte falling out of favor with Pochettino over the previous World Cup cycle.
Fortunately, there will be some local flair for St. Louis fans next Tuesday. After Ricardo Pepi’s injury on Sunday, St. Louis CITY SC’s Damion Downs received the call to join a thin attacking group for the USMNT’s friendly against Peru on Saturday in Orlando. Downs arrived in St. Louis on loan from Southampton last month. So far, the 22-year-old has made five brief appearances for CITY, playing as the lead striker and floating underneath the red-hot Simon Becher. Downs has yet to score in St. Louis, but his talent has earned him another national team opportunity following his 2025 Gold Cup performance, where he made four appearances.
As Ream is recognized during the UMSNT’s stop in St. Louis, it marks a recognition of the city’s long legacy in the national team—and a look at the future.
