Tyler Adams ended last season with a back injury at Bournemouth, which worsened during the USMNT’s Copa América campaign. (Getty Images)
Tyler Adams, the captain of the United States men's national soccer team and a midfielder for AFC Bournemouth, has recently undergone back surgery. This news comes after his team’s disappointing exit from the Copa América. The operation means Adams will miss at least the start of the Premier League season, according to Bournemouth's manager, Andoni Iraola.
Iraola confirmed that Adams had been dealing with a back injury that persisted through the end of the last season. Despite his discomfort, Adams was eager to participate in the Copa América, which he considered a significant opportunity. However, the pain was too intense, and he had to undergo surgery shortly after the U.S. team was eliminated from the tournament. The U.S. was knocked out following a 1-0 loss to Uruguay in the group stages.
Adams had a challenging tournament, playing a total of 180 minutes across two games, including the crucial match against Uruguay. His back issue, which began bothering him towards the end of his previous season with Bournemouth, worsened during the tournament. He had hoped to manage the injury and perform well, but his condition was not ideal.
Earlier in the season, Adams had been on a restricted training schedule to avoid aggravating his injury. Despite feeling better as he approached the Copa América, he had to manage his minutes carefully. His primary goal was to be fit for the upcoming Premier League season, and he was aiming for a strong start to build his fitness.
Adams transferred to Bournemouth from Leeds United for $25 million last fall. His first season with Bournemouth was marred by injuries, including a right hamstring surgery he had in October. He played in only four league matches, totaling 138 minutes of action. Bournemouth, finishing 12th in the Premier League last season, is gearing up for the new season, with their first match against Nottingham Forest scheduled for August 17.
In the meantime, Bournemouth is set to play a friendly against Wrexham in California this Saturday. Fans and the team will have to wait and see how long Adams’ recovery will take and how it will affect the team’s performance at the start of the season.
