USMNT's Tim Ream Shares How Parenthood Influenced 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.

"Playing-wise, they're not interested in it, but they are full supporters," Ream detailed. "At all times, they want to watch every game, they want to talk about every player, every goal, every pass. It’s interesting how big of a fan they have become over the last couple of years."

And though his kids have become "fully ingrained in fandom," Ream doesn't let their love for the game turn into pressure on the pitch.

As he put it, "We tried to do our best to keep those two areas separate: family life to playing life."

Photo by Henry Rodenburg/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Still, the 38-year-old admitted keeping his home life separate from work isn't always possible, which comes with pros as well as cons.

"It’s harder and harder as they get older and older because they want to talk about every play that happens in a game," Ream confessed, conceding, “There’s a little more pride knowing I’ve been able to play as long as I have and that they’ve been a part of it."

Aside from making his family proud in stadiums around the world, Ream found major wins throughout the "ride" that was the FIFA tournament, even if the U.S. didn't walk home with the 2026 title.

Photo by Xu Chang/Xinhua via Getty Images

"There are 47 teams that don’t go on to win the World Cup. You end up replaying every game in your head multiple times in the weeks after it ends," Ream explained. "But also you get flashes and glimpses of all the great things that happened during it. All the memories that you created, all the connections you made with fans and friends and family and the different cities."

Keep reading to relive World Cup 2026 through celebrities' eyes.

Maddie Meyer - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images

Shakira

The Colombian singer had the crowd on their feet while performing her hit "Dai Dai" during the first-ever World Cup halftime show at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19.

Tom Weller/picture alliance via Getty Images

BTS

The K-pop group hit the field for an electric performance of their song "Dynamite" during the World Cup final halftime show.

CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP via Getty Images

Beyonce & Jay-Z

The couple was kickin' it in stylish shades while cheering on the teams during the World Cup final at New York New Jersey Stadium.

Courtesy of Raising Cane’s

Florence Pugh

Don't worry, darling—the actress caught all the action from the Raising Cane's suite during the World Cup 2026 final at the New York New Jersey Stadium.

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Tom Cruise &The Beckhams

David Beckham and his wife Victoria Beckham watched the World Cup final match between Argentina and Spain with their kids Romeo Beckham and Cruz Beckham, along with Tom Cruise, on July 19.

Mike Stobe/Getty Images for Casamigos

Julia Garner

The Emmy winner watched Spain take the gold on July 19 from inside the Casamigos suite at New York New Jersey Stadium.

Thomas Agudo

Karlie Kloss & Ashley Graham

The models were all smiles while catching the final game from Woody Johnson and Suzanne Johnson's suite.

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Matt Damon & Luciana Barroso Damon

Ahead of the World Cup final kickoff, The Odyssey actor posed with his wife on the gold carpet.

Jordan Bank/Getty Images for FIFA

Ciara & Russell Wilson

The couple scored seats inside the Dove suite at the World Cup 2026 final July 19.

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Kevin Hart & Eniko Hart

The comedian and his wife stepped out for the soccer game of the year, making an appearance at the World Cup final match at New York New Jersey Stadium.

Courtesy of Nike

Drake & Carlos Alcaraz

The rapper and the tennis superstar hung out inside the Nike suite at the New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19.

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MGK

The "Bloody Valentine" singer got tickets to the July 19 game thanks to Raising Cane's.

Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Global Citizen

Javier Bardem

The Dune star showed off his Spanish pride while posing on the FIFA Gold Carpet ahead of the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina.

Courtesy of Raising Cane’s

Anna Kendrick

The Pitch Perfect alum had an aca-awesome time watching the Spain vs. Argentina game from the Raising Cane's suite.

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Timothée Chalamet & Kylie Jenner

The Dune actor and Kardashians star shared a kiss while attending the World Cup final at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19.

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Kevin Hart & Shakira

The Jumanji actor and the Grammy winner were all smiles as they hit the pitch at the final match.

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Robbie Williams

The Take That alum was kicking it during his performance at the closing ceremony on July 19.

Courtesy of Michelob ULTRA

Christina Aguilera

The "Dirrty" singer performed in front of a packed crowd at the Michelob ULTRA Pitchside Club event in New York City.

Steve Eicher/Backgrid

Teyana Taylor

One game after another. The actress attended a Tequila Don Julio 1942 Port of Champions x Palm Tree Crew and Mary Lou’s event presented by VISA CashApp.

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Tate McRae, Todd Graves & Alix Earle

Get ready for the World Cup final. The singer and the TikToker hung out with the Raising Cane's CEO at a pre-match party at Zero Bond in New York City July 18.

Courtesy of Michelob ULTRA

Brooks Nader

Love thy World Cup. The Love Thy Nader star stepped out at the Michelob ULTRA Pitchside Club event in New York City.

Michael Simon/Getty Images for Jameson

Giannina Gibelli & Blake Horstmann

The Bachelor Nation stars had a rosy time at Jameson's House of GOAL party in New York City July 18.

UTV Agency

Issa Rae

The Insecure alum was anything but as she spoke at the Tequila Don Julio 1942 Port of Champions x OffBall panel celebrating FIFA World Cup 2026 on July 17.

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Romeo Beckham & Starino

David Beckham and Victoria Beckham's son hung out with the designer at Tequila Don Julio 1942's Port of Champions party celebrating the final week of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

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Rauw Alejandro

The "Tattoo" singer made his mark at Buchanan's Whisky's quarterfinals after-party in Miami.

Jean Catuffe/Getty Images

Timothée Chalamet

The Marty Supreme star had a smashing time during the France vs. Spain game at Dallas Stadium on July 14.

Courtesy of SoFi

Simone Ashley

From the Ton to the pitch. The Bridgerton actress caught the Spain vs. Belgium game from inside the SoFi suite at Los Angeles Stadium July 10.

Jason Sean Weiss/BFA.com/Shutterstock

Big Sean

The "Bounce Back" rapper decided to hit up the Spain vs. Belgium game in his Nike tee.