Tyler Adams among twelve players on the first day of training in the US prior to the Copa América

BETHESDA, Md. (AP) — U.S. captain Tyler Adams, coming off an injury-limited season with Bournemouth, was one of 12 players who began training with the U.S. ahead of the Copa America on Wednesday.

The 25-year-old defensive midfielder played just one club match from March 2023 to March 13 due to a torn right hamstring that required surgery. After returning to make two appearances for Bournemouth in March, back spasms limited the midfielder to one match for the remainder of the season, an eleven-minute appearance on 11 May.

“He looks fit,” said U.S. assistant coach BJ Callaghan. “We have had great collaboration with Bournemouth over the last few weeks to ensure we have developed a plan that allows him to maximize his performance here, during the friendlies and the Copa.”

The US has exhibition games against Colombia on June 8 and Brazil four days later, before first-round matches against Bolivia (June 23), Panama (June 27) and Uruguay (July 1).

Goalkeepers Matt Turner and Ethan Horvath, defenders Chris Richards and Joe Scally, midfielders Gio Reyna, Malik Tillman and Luca de la Torre, and forwards Brenden Aaronson, Folarin Balogun, Josh Sargent and Haji Wright were also present on the first day of what the most extensive training camp of the entire player pool since the 2022 World Cup.

Callaghan said the goal is to “try to solidify a lot of the principles and identity that we want to play with.”

Fourteen more players must report on Sunday.

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The Associated Press