The month of December has been good to American midfielder Tyler Adams. The 25-year-old has been steadily returning to form for high-rising Premier League upstarts AFC Bournemouth after missing out on U.S. head coach Mauricio Pochettino’s first squad call ups in October and November.
Sunday, however, was the undisputed highlight.
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Bournemouth’s 3-0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford provided yet more proof that Andoni Iraola’s team is one to be reckoned with. Having already played his way back into his club’s central midfield rotation, Adams’ outing showed he’s again approaching the sort of standard and consistency that he, and supporters of the national team, would like.
Back-to-back 90-minute performances against Wolverhampton (November 30) and Tottenham (December 5) were positive signs that the injury-prone Adams was on the right track towards recovery. Adams made just four appearances for Bournemouth last season after his summer move. A nagging back complaint, coupled with lingering hamstring troubles, kept Adams from distancing himself from the ongoing chatter about his health.
His one-season spell with Leeds United (2022-2023) started well but ended in disappointment, with Adams making 24 Premier League appearances before hamstring surgery ended his season. Even at his age, the move to Bournemouth was one with little fanfare. It felt like a last-chance transfer, a final opportunity to prove that he can be a reliable player in the world’s best competition.
To do so, he’d have to lower his expectations. Switching to Bournemouth removed Adams from the frenzy and bright lights that surround Leeds. It has worked out well, with the triumph over United leaving the club sitting in fifth and providing the latest installment to a five-game unbeaten streak. Even better, Adams was at the heart of everything.
Now, a visiting team that wins at Old Trafford is no surprise in 2024. Hands down one of the world’s most hallowed football grounds, the home of Manchester United is a shadow of its former self. The Theatre of Dreams no longer intimidates opponents. And as the club’s identity crisis continues, the Red Devils are an easy target for criticism. Adams played 89 minutes on Sunday, and while he wasn’t flawless, the former RB Leipzig man made an impact in Iraola’s high-energy set up.
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It didn’t conjure memories of Ronaldo Nazario’s UEFA Champions League hat-trick at Old Trafford in 2003. Adams’ performance won’t be held up alongside Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard when they led Liverpool to a 4-1 dismantling of United six years later. Adams didn’t receive a standing ovation after coming off in the 89th minute, but Bournemouth’s traveling contingent of supporters certainly appreciated the effort from their American international.
Just 14 seconds into the match, Adams sent an early message when his tackle on United striker Joshua Zirkzee left the Dutchman writhing in pain. Adams always plays full-tilt football. The tackle on Zirkzee is a play that has come to define his aggressive style. Adams has a taste for the physicality of the sport. It appears to give him an edge, but it’s also likely a factor in his prolonged injury history.
We’re at a point now when one almost expects to see Adams grimace in pain mid-game, or rub his hamstring. Sunday’s start was his eighth in 2024. It is no stretch to suggest Pochettino must be delighted with his player’s progress.
As seen in the graphic below, Adams covered a ton of ground on the day. He played safe two-touch football while in possession, finishing with just one progressive carry and three involvements in Bournemouth’s attacking sequences. Adams is part of Bournemouth’s protective layer in central midfield. Iraola’s fullbacks fly up the field and his players are accustomed to setting up with a high line defensively. It facilitates the team’s counter-pressing strategy, but also leaves them susceptible to counter attacks. In that sense, Adams’ pitch awareness in Manchester was strong.
He had plenty of responsibilities in midfield and was well-positioned throughout. Adams tracked United playmaker Bruno Fernandes all game. He also kept his eye on the versatile Kobbie Mainoo. Fernandes had his moments on the ball, but generally speaking, Adams made the Portuguese international uncomfortable. If Fernandes moved out to United’s left flank, Adams was there to meet him.
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At one point in the second half, Fernandes, Mainoo and United fullback Diogo Dalot attempted to overload Bournemouth’s right side. Adams reacted quickly and made Fernandes rethink his ideas. When Alejandro Garnacho came on for United, Adams nipped at his heels and forced the young Argentine to play backwards. For someone who has played sparingly, Adams’ endurance and stamina were noteworthy.
Still, he wasn’t flawless. With time on the ball in midfield in the first half, Adams switched play to Bournemouth left fullback Milos Kerkez. It was the right decision, but Adams’ pass was overhit and Kerkez had difficulty settling the ball. It resulted in a turnover. Adams then stood over the ball after Bournemouth earned a free kick in the midfield half-space. His quick chip into the box to Bournemouth center forward Evanilson skipped out of bounds.
Shortly after Bournemouth had taken the lead in the 29th minute from a set piece on United’s left flank, the visitors had another opportunity in the same part of the pitch. Instead of whipping the ball into the box, the ball was played short to Adams at the top of United’s penalty area. Unsure of what to do there, Adams played a poor ball that barely got off the ground. It was easily dealt with by United.
Adams isn’t a midfield maestro. He isn’t expected to appear in his side’s post-game attacking analytics. Adams is a throwback stopper whose best strengths are often on display when he isn’t touching the ball. Against United, Adams understood his assignment and executed it very well. He wasn’t one-dimensional either. He had zero progressive passes, but Adams was key to Bournemouth’s build-up out the back.
Adams would move out to the right side and act as a fullback in Bournemouth’s three-man build-up system, a position with which he has some comfort having played for the USMNT there under Gregg Berhalter and also during his time in Leipzig. For Adams, Sunday’s performance was a massive step towards increased playing time. If he can stay healthy in the new year, Adams will be an important part of what is becoming a dream season for Bournemouth.
That bodes well for his national team prospects under Pochettino. Adams’ skillset is ideal for the aggressive style that Pochettino employs. A return to form for Adams in 2025 should be celebrated, especially as the U.S. side struggles with their own injury troubles. Adams wasn’t spectacular at Old Trafford, but he didn’t need to be. He was solid, and after a season on the sidelines, that’s important progress.
(Top photo: Matt McNulty/Getty Images)
