Tyler Adams reflects on overcoming adversity during injury-plagued first season at Bournemouth

Tyler Adams missed 33 matches during the 2023-24 season with Bournemouth due to hamstring surgery and back spasms, featuring in only three Premier League games and one EFL Cup contest.

Chirag

June 18, 2024

Tyler Adams On Injury — Stephen Nadler/ISI Photos/Getty Images

Adams was sidelined for 33 games during the 2023-24 season with Bournemouth, managing to appear in only three Premier League matches and one EFL Cup game. His limited playing time was due to undergoing hamstring surgery early in the season, followed by back spasms later on.

Throughout the season, Adams completed just one full 90-minute match for Bournemouth, where he was named player of the match. During this period, he also played for the USMNT in the CONCACAF Nations League finals, scoring a stunning goal against Mexico in the final.

“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 stated. “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 responded to the USMNT captain, acknowledging that not enough players approach the game with such honesty.

Reflecting on his experience with Bournemouth’s coach, Andoni Iraola, Adams mentioned that he learned a lot from the Spaniard, even while being sidelined for much 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.”

Despite playing only 120 minutes, Iraola praised Adams multiple times towards the end of the season.

“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?'”

Adams is set to represent the USMNT at Copa America 2024 next week. The U.S. will start their tournament against Bolivia on Sunday evening, followed by matches against Panama and Uruguay in the group stage.