Tyler Adams has started back-to-back matches for RB Leipzig for the first time since May 2019, and it comes as the German club moves five points clear atop the Bundesliga table.
The former New York Red BullsHomegrown midfielder had been out injured since the summer, with his latest RB Leipzig contributions coming in a 3-1 win over Union Berlin on Saturday. His first appearance of the 2019-20 campaign arrived during a 3-1 victory against Augsburg, just before the winter break.
“I think for me to be out for six months, it gave me time to reflect," Adams said, according to a Transfermarkt story. "It was about staying mentally sharp and being ready for any opportunity that I get. So, it was nice to get a game before the second half of the season right before the winter break. I got a bucket full of energy; I am ready to go."
That outlook bodes particularly well for the US men’s national team, since the ground-covering midfielder last featured for Gregg Berhalter in a March 22 friendly against Ecuador. Adams, 20, has earned 10 USMNT caps.
A consistent run with RB Leipzig would certainly see Adams re-enter the USMNT starting XI, and it could help propel his club to a Bundesliga title after they finished second in 2016-17. They’re currently five points clear, with a pivotal Feb. 1 match against second-place Borussia Monchengladbach looming.
“The title’s not on our mind right now, we want to take it game by game, most importantly, stay as sharp as possible to score goals and be dangerous," Adams said. "We know that if we’re ourselves and we stick to the philosophy of how we want to play, we're gonna win game after game. It is more of a game-by-game mentality at the moment."
After emerging as a bright, young star in MLS, Adams was transferred from RBNY to RB Leipzig for a reported $3 million in December 2018. Across 59 regular-season and playoff matches, he recorded two goals and 13 assists. Adams was named an MLS All-Star in 2018 and played a massive role on that year’s Supporters' Shield-winning side.
