Tim Ream has played his last match for the U.S. men's national team – though it came much later than he thought it would.
The 38-year-old center back was honored before the United States' match against Chile on Tuesday, Sept. 29 in his hometown of St. Louis.
"That’s it for me. I’m proud of being part of something for 16 years but it is time to step away from the national team," he said at a news conference prior to the match.
Ream made his U.S. debut in 2010 and was involved with the national team for several years while he played his club soccer with Bolton Wanderers and Fulham, but calls stopped coming, with Ream left off the squad for the 2016 Copa América Centenario and not a factor in the Americans' unsuccessful campaign to qualify for the 2018
World Cup. U.S. manager Gregg Berhalter included him on the roster for the 2022 World Cup and started him in every match.
Ream also was key on the road to 2026 and in the tournament itself. He captained the U.S. during the competition on home soil, starting and playing all of every match the U.S. played barring a dead-rubber final group match against Turkey.
Ream remains active for Charlotte FC, the MLS team he joined in summer 2024.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: USMNT veteran Tim Ream confirms international retirement
