USMNT star Tyler Adams sat down with U.S. legend Tim Howard to share how he overcame a tough first season with Bournemouth in the Premier League.

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Adams to captain USMNT at Copa AmericaSits down with Howard to talk troubling Bournemouth season

Shares admiration for Iraola

WHAT HAPPENED?

Adams missed 33 matches for the Cherries in 2023-24, only featuring in three Premier League games and one EFL Cup contest. The lack of game time came as a result of hamstring surgery in the beginning of the campaign, followed by treatment for back spasms late in the season.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Adams only played one 90-minute match across the entire season for the Premier League side, but in that contest, the 26-year-old earned player of the match honors. During that same timespan, he featured for the USMNT during the CONCACAF Nations League finals, including scoring an absolute belter against Mexico in the final.

WHAT ADAMS AND HOWARD SAID

"The amazing thing about my mindset, and the way I go about the game is that I don't take for granted when I am playing," Adams said. "I don't have to prove anything to anybody but myself. I know what I'm capable of… without adversity in your career, you won't be anything."

Howard replied to the USMNT captain, saying "I don't think enough players do that in an honest way."

Speaking on learning from his new boss, Andoni Iraola, Adams shared that he has learned much from the Spaniard, despite being sidelined for the majority of the season.

"I think at the beginning it was tough for people to understand because he's a minimalist. He doesn't go overboard – draining you with tactics, making things confusing. It's very simple and to the point."

Iraola heaped praise on the American multiple times late in the season, despite only amassing 120 minutes of game time.

"I think some people were searching for a little bit too much instruction and needed to be guided a little bit too much," Adams said, expanding on some of his biggest takeaways from his debut season with the Cherries. "Some people that were stable and comfortable in that environment said… what, is this guy crazy?'"

GettyWHAT NEXT FOR TYLER ADAMS?

Adams will represent the USMNT at Copa America 2024 this coming week. The U.S. will begin their tournament journey Sunday evening against Bolivia, and follow it with matches against Panama and Uruguay to round out the group stage.