Tyler Adams’ Success Story at RB Leipzig: The Path to the Champions League and the US Captaincy

What a Story!

Tyler Adams developed into a first-class player at RB Leipzig. While with us, he became the USMNT captain, played in a Champions League semi-final, and measured up against world-class players like Lionel Messi, Neymar or Kylian Mbappé.

New York, Leipzig, USA – the story of Tyler Adams.

Professional debut at 17

Tyler Adams joined the New York Red Bulls Academy as a kid. As a teen, the born New Yorker made his debut with the Red Bulls’ second team in 2015, even managing his first appearance with the MLS team in a friendly against Chelsea… both while still being only 16 years old. Against the then Premier League champion, he scored his first professional goal.

In April, 2016, Tyler made his debut in American professional football against the San Jose Earthquakes as a starting eleven player.

A USMNT player at age 18

The youngster was a regular in the New York Red Bulls’ starting lineups since 2017, playing in 27 official matches during his first professional season.

The fact that one of the biggest US talents was striving in New York, didn’t go unnoticed. In November, 2017, then national coach Dave Sarachan gave Tyler his trust in the form of a call-up to the senior men’s national team.

By the time he was 18, he was already starting in a friendly against Portugal where the 1-1 final scoreline reflected a consistent performance throughout the game.

The jump to Leipzig

During the winter transfer market of the 2018/19 season, Tyler chose to take the next step in his career moving to Leipzig, where his former New York coach, Jesse Marsch, an assistant coach at RBL, was waiting for him.

On January 27, 2019, Tyler took part in a match with RB Leipzig for the first time in a thrashing 4-1 win against Fortuna Düsseldorf. The 1,75 meter tall player secured himself a place in the starting lineup. A great decision, since the Red Bulls went undefeated during Tyler’s first 10 games! Only an injury put an end to this streak as well as his season.

The match winner against Madrid

During the beginning of the 2019/20 season, “Ty” also had to battle injuries, almost missing the the entire first round of the tournament. In the second half of the season though, he came back in good shape and once again became one of the key players. In the epic Champions League quarter-final in Lisbon against Atlético Madrid, Tyler would go ahead and score the winning 2-1 goal on the 88th minute of play.

Reaching the Champions League semi´-final against Paris St. Germain (0-3) remains as one of the Red Bulls’ crowning achievements, along with the DFB Cups in 2022 and 2023.

US captaincy and winning the Cup

In 2020/21, Tyler was part of the RBL team that achieved its second runners-up spot in the Bundesliga, as well as another final in the DFB Cup. After this season, the player from Village Wappingers Falls led the USMNT for the first time as its captain. Shortly after, they wont the CONCACAF Nations League together.

During the 2021/22 season, RBL finished third of their Champions League group, behind Manchester City and Paris St. Germain, earning entry into the UEFA Europa League and reaching the semi-finals, where they couldn’t go past Glasgow Rangers. Adding another highlight to the season: Winning the DFB Cup against SC Freiburg (4-2 after penalty kicks). Shortly after, Ty joined Leeds United, where he was a regular player under his former coach, Jesse Marsch.

In total, Tyler Adams played 103 matches for RB Leipzig, scoring two goals, and giving four assists. He was in action for 6,395 minutes for the RBL.

Captain America

Tyler was the USNMT captain for the World Cup 2022 in Qatar, where the US team managed to reach the Round of 16. Nowadays, the midfielder is active at AFC Bournemouth.

Tyler carries with him an impressive career: In club football, moving from New York to Leipzig, to the Premier League. With the United States National Team, earning the captaincy and leading them to the top.