Tyler Adams Says The Game Is ‘Like A Chess Match’ As He Teams Up For ‘For The Assist’

Tyler Adams said playing in the midfield requires constant awareness of everything happening on the pitch.

“In our game, there are so many moving pieces — it’s almost like a chess match,” the U.S. Men’s National Team midfielder told Blavity in a recent interview. “You’re always trying to think ahead, understand your positioning, anticipate what’s coming, and then execute.”

For Adams, that awareness comes from continuously scanning the field and building a full picture of what’s happening around him.

“The more complete a picture you have of what’s happening around you, the better,” he said. “When I’m scanning, I’m constantly trying to anticipate what could happen next and what will happen next.”

How does Tyler Adams view the value of his position?

Adams said the role he plays is gaining more recognition, though he believes it is still often measured differently than goal-scoring positions.

“I think there’s becoming more and more of a value of my position, especially the way that I play,” he said. “Every team needs a player who brings energy, anticipation and that kind of mindset to the game.”

At the same time, he said that type of role is not always easy to replace.

“I think that it’s becoming more valued, but I still do think it’s hard to find,” Adams added.

How has Adams adjusted to injuries and recovery?

Adams said managing injuries has changed how he approaches preparation and recovery, particularly in how he trains off the field.

“It’s really about understanding your body,” he said. “Sometimes it takes going through something to really understand how you need to manage it.”

He said his first injury shifted how he approaches strength and prevention.

“For me, going through my first injury made me realize I really need to put more time into getting into the gym and making sure I’m strong,” Adams said. “When you feel something, it’s already too late to try and stop it at times. So, you need to try and do more prevention work to make sure that your body is prepared for the moment.”

That focus on preparation aligns with For the Assist, a campaign Adams is part of in partnership with the U.S. Soccer Federation. The initiative highlights the work that happens outside of game time, including recovery and routine.