Background and career
Tyler Shaan Adams (born February 14, 1999) is an American professional soccer player who plays for Premier League club Bournemouth and captains the United States national team. Primarily a midfielder, he is capable of playing as a full-back on either side of the defense or midfield. A homegrown player of the New York Red Bulls academy, Adams turned professional with the New York Red Bulls II as a sixteen-year-old before joining the New York Red Bulls first team a season later. Adams joined fellow Red Bull side RB Leipzig in January 2019 and played four seasons with the club, winning the 2021–22 DFB-Pokal. He joined Leeds United in July 2022, but following relegation he signed for Bournemouth in August 2023 for five years. In November 2025, Adams became the first North American to win a Premier League Goal of the Month award. Adams represented the United States at multiple youth levels before making his senior team debut in 2017. He captained the U.S. at the 2022 FIFA World Cup and won the U.S. Soccer Player of the Year award in 2022.
Adams was born in Dutchess County, New York to Melissa Russo. Tyler credits much of the success in his life to his mother's unwavering devotion to him. Examples of this include Melissa driving the over 150 mile round trip to the Red Bulls facility before Tyler was old enough to make the journey himself. Melissa raised Tyler for most of his early years on her own. Eventually Melissa married Daryl Sullivan and his three sons became an essential part of Tyler's life. He is of African American descent through his father. His stepfather, Daryl Sullivan, coached soccer at the high school level and at Marist College. Adams graduated from Roy C. Ketcham High School in Wappingers Falls, New York.
Adams joined the Red Bulls Academy in 2012 and played with the under-13, under-14, and under-16 sides before turning professional.
On March 19, 2015, Adams was signed to New York Red Bulls II, the club's senior reserve team playing in the United Soccer League. Adams made his debut for the team on April 4, 2015, in a 4–1 victory over Toronto FC II, the first victory in club history.
After appearing regularly for NYRB II during the 2016 season, Adams helped the club to a 5–1 victory over Swope Park Rangers in the 2016 USL Cup Final.
On July 23, 2015, Adams made his debut with the New York Red Bulls first team featuring in a friendly match against Premier League champions Chelsea. He scored the second goal of the match, slotting a header past Asmir Begović in the 69th minute as the Red Bulls went on to win 4–2. Adams signed his first senior team contract on November 3, 2015, and joined the first team in preseason training camp in 2016. Adams made his first MLS bench appearance as an unused substitute on April 1, 2016, during a 1–0 loss to the New England Revolution and on April 13 made his MLS debut, starting against the San Jose Earthquakes before returning to Red Bulls II on loan for the remainder of the season and year. Adams emerged as a regular starter for the Red Bulls senior team in the 2017 season. On August 15, 2017, Adams helped New York to a 3–2 come from behind victory over FC Cincinnati, assisting on Bradley Wright-Phillips's 77th-minute equalizer. With the win New York reached their first Open Cup final since 2003. Adams scored his first two MLS goals in a 3–3 draw with D.C. United on September 27, 2017. On March 13, 2018, Adams opened the scoring for New York in a 3–1 victory over Club Tijuana, helping the club advance to the semifinals of the CONCACAF Champions League for the first time.
