Jesse Marsch questions Tyler Adams’ inclusion in USMNT squad, saying there’s ‘a lot more to lose than gain’ by selecting midfielder who’s been largely sidelined by injuries in last year

Jesse Marsch has questioned the inclusion of Tyler Adams in the latest USMNT squad following an injury-riddled year for the midfielder in which he hardly played.

Prior to his substitute appearance on Wednesday in Bournemouth‘s 4-3 win over Luton Town, Adams had gone over a year without a Premier League appearance.

And Marsch, who coached Adams at both Leeds and the New York Red Bulls, is unsure whether there’s ‘a lot to gain’ after Gregg Berhalter selected him for the latest Nations League squad.

‘I don’t know if there’s a person on the earth that believes in Tyler Adams more than I do,’ Marsch said on the ‘Call it What You Want’ podcast.

‘But I don’t know that there’s a lot to gain. Obviously I know he’s an important figure in the national team. He’s been out of competitive matches for I think almost a full year. 

Adams played under Jesse Marsch at both Leeds United and the New York Red Bulls

‘I just think there’s a lot more to lose in this situation than there is to gain.

Adams underwent hamstring surgery in October after making his Cherries debut in the Carabao Cup, and also missed the final 14 games of Leeds’ season last year with a hamstring issue.

Speaking in a virtual press conference on Wednesday, Berhalter said he had spoken with Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola about Adams before picking him.

‘I know if I were his club team coach, given this scenario, I would not have liked Tyler to leave the team, and leave his rehabilitation program and his back to play program,’ Marsch added.

Marsch was skeptical of Adams’ inclusion in the USA squad for the Nations League

‘But they made this decision, they think it’s what’s best for the team – I’m sure Tyler wants to be in the group. But again, what’s the risk and what’s the reward? That’s what I would ask.’

Prior to this squad, Adams hadn’t been involved in the USA setup since the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where he captained the side.

The USA will face Jamaica in the Nations League semifinals on March 21 with a potential final vs. Mexico or Panama on March 24.