Tim Ream reiterated his desire to keep representing the United States after returning to the Fulham side to secure an opening day win at Everton yesterday.
The St. Louis native, who played in his first World Cup last winter having enjoyed in the middle of an outstanding season with Fulham, hopes to represent the USA when the 2026 tournament is staged in America, Canada and Mexico in 2026. He told the Athletic after keeping a clean sheet at Goodison Park on his return from a fractured shoulder:
“Ideally if I’m playing here I don’t see why not. That’s a near-term goal. The long-term goal is to make it to another World Cup, especially because it’s that World Cup, and I think you have to set out goals like that and work towards those.”
Ream and former Everton academy graduate Antonee Robinson successfully kept the Toffees at bay yesterday – and the veteran centre back extolled the virtues of his understanding with the pacey full-back, who signed a long-term deal at Craven Cottage over the summer.
It’s a strong point for us from a club standpoint and from a national team standpoint you have two guys who play next to each other and it can only benefit both places. Knowing him very well, the way he plays, and vice versa I think it makes the most sense but again you’re never guaranteed a spot as I’ve known over the years. You have to perform every week to be handed that shirt and I’m going to continue to try to do that and I guess if they see me as part of that group I’ll be happy to be there and play.”
