USMNT’s Tim Ream Shares How Parenthood Impacted World Cup Team Captain Role
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USMNT player Tim Ream nailed his goal of being a successful team captain thanks to his three kids.
The Charlotte FC defender—who captained the U.S. team during the FIFA World Cup 2026—scored tips on leadership from being a dad to Aidan, 12, Theodore, 10 and Lilia, 7, shared with wife Kristen Sapienza.
“Parenting has definitely influenced me being a captain, that’s for sure,” Ream exclusively told E! News’ The Rundown’s Erin Lim Rhodes at MLS 2026 All-Star Week. “I joke that a lot of those guys are closer in age to my oldest than they are to me, so I definitely feel like I have learned a lot more as a parent to be able to captain those guys.”
In fact, the #MLSAllStar—set to play the Liga MX team in the July 29 match presented by Chime—noted how his brood’s transformation into superfans has made his recent seasons in the league (after 16 years as a pro) even more special.
