In the fall of 2017, the United States mens national team were eliminated from World Cup qualification by Trinidad & Tobago after a poor touch from a center back led to an own goal and the lack of a true defensive midfielder allowed a free blast on goal from distance. During that autumn, two American players who would wind up doing much of the heavy lifting in filling those problem positions were wrapping up their first season as professional starters with the New York Red Bulls.
Tyler Adams and Aaron Long share different professional pathways both to and from the New York setup, but their presence five years later in the highest-stakes international camp since that surreal night in Couva are potent symbols of the club’s recent impact on the American game.