Tim Ream
American footballer.
Tim Ream is an American professional soccer player who has built a successful career as a defender, primarily playing as a center-back. Born on October 5, 1987, in St. Louis, Missouri, Ream has become a stalwart for both club and country. He began his professional career with the New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer (MLS) in 2010, quickly establishing himself as a promising talent. In 2012, Ream made the move to England, joining Bolton Wanderers. After four seasons with Bolton, he transferred to Fulham in 2015, where he has spent the majority of his career.
At Fulham, Ream has experienced both promotion and relegation, becoming a key figure in the club's defense and earning the captain's armband. His consistent performances and leadership have made him a fan favorite at Craven Cottage. Ream's career has been characterized by his ability to read the game, his composure on the ball, and his versatility in defensive positions. His journey from MLS to becoming an established Premier League player showcases his dedication and development as a footballer. Internationally, Ream has been a regular presence in the United States Men's National Team (USMNT) since 2010, participating in various major tournaments and World Cup qualifying campaigns. His experience and reliability have made him a valuable asset to both his club and national team.
Early life & youth football
Tim Ream's early life and youth career were deeply rooted in the soccer culture of St. Louis, Missouri. He attended St. Dominic High School, where he excelled in soccer, earning NSCAA All-Midwest Region selection in 2005. Ream's talent was evident as he contributed 15 goals and 39 assists, helping his school win the 2004 Missouri Class 2 state title. Following his high school success, Ream played for St.
Louis Scott Gallagher Soccer Academy, winning two national championships. His youth career culminated at Saint Louis University, where he played college soccer for the Saint Louis Billikens from 2006 to 2009. During his college years, Ream continued to impress, earning second-team All-Conference and NSCAA first-team All-Region honors, setting the stage for his professional career.
Professional career
Ream was drafted by the New York Red Bulls in the second round (18th overall) of the 2010 MLS SuperDraft. His performances during pre-season impressed many, including new coach Hans Backe, who praised Ream's distribution and tactical awareness.On March 20, 2010, Ream made his unofficial debut for the Red Bulls, starting and playing the full 90 minutes in a 3-1 victory against Santos FC in the first match played at the new Red Bull Arena. His official professional debut came a week later on March 27, 2010, in New York's opening game of the 2010 MLS season against Chicago Fire, which ended in a 1-0 victory for the Red Bulls.
Ream's first professional goal came on September 11, 2010, against the Colorado Rapids in a 3-1 win for New York. His rookie season was exceptional, as he started all 30 matches for the Red Bulls, helping the team capture its second regular season Eastern Conference title. His performances earned him the team's Defender of the Year award, and he was one of three candidates listed for the MLS Rookie of the Year.In his second season with the Red Bulls (2011), Ream continued to be a key player for the team.
He played and started in 28 of 34 matches during the regular season, missing six matches primarily due to international call-ups for the 2011 CONCACAF Gold Cup.Ream's consistent performances and potential attracted interest from European clubs. During the MLS off-season in December 2011, he spent time training with both West Bromwich Albion and Bolton Wanderers to maintain his fitness.At the beginning of January 2012, Bolton made a transfer offer of £2.
5 million for Ream. The bid was accepted, and after personal terms were agreed, Ream received a work permit on January 24, 2012, finalizing his move to Bolton.Throughout his time with the New York Red Bulls, Ream made a total of 58 league appearances, scoring one goal. His performances helped establish him as one of the most promising young defenders in MLS and paved the way for his move to English football.
Tim Ream joined Bolton Wanderers on January 26, 2012, signing a three-and-a-half-year contract. The transfer fee was reported to be around £2.5 million. Ream's move to Bolton came at a crucial time for the club, as they had just sold Gary Cahill to Chelsea and were in need of defensive reinforcements.
Ream's dedication to his new club was evident from the start, as he postponed his honeymoon to complete the transfer. He was given the number 32 shirt and made his debut for Bolton in an FA Cup match against Millwall on February 18, 2012, which Bolton won 2-0.His Premier League debut came the following weekend in a 3-0 defeat to Chelsea. Ream quickly adapted to the demands of English football, showcasing his composure on the ball and ability to read the game.
On March 10, 2012, he provided his first assist for Bolton, setting up Darren Pratley's opening goal in a 2-1 victory over Queens Park Rangers.Despite Ream's efforts, Bolton struggled in the Premier League during the 2011-12 season. He made 13 league appearances, but couldn't prevent the club's relegation to the Championship. This setback didn't deter Ream, who remained committed to Bolton as they prepared for life in the second tier.
In the 2012-13 season, Ream switched to the number 5 shirt. He faced increased competition for a starting spot but still managed to make 15 appearances in the Championship, with 13 starts. Bolton finished seventh in the league, narrowly missing out on the promotion playoffs.The 2013-14 campaign saw Ream's role at Bolton expand significantly.
He demonstrated his versatility by playing not only as a center-back but also as a defensive midfielder and left-back. This adaptability made him an invaluable asset to the team. Ream featured in 42 games, all of them starts, and contributed four assists. His performances earned him both the fans' and club's Player of the Year awards, a testament to his consistency and importance to the team.
Ream's excellent form continued into the 2014-15 season. On July 6, 2014, he signed a new three-year contract with Bolton, committing his future to the club until 2017. This season saw Ream make 44 appearances, missing only two matches - one as an unused substitute and one through injury. For the second consecutive year, he was named Bolton's Player of the Year, becoming the first player to win the award in back-to-back seasons since goalkeeper Jussi Jääskeläinen in 2007 and 2008.
Throughout his time at Bolton, Ream's performances attracted attention from other clubs. In the summer of 2015, Championship rivals Queens Park Rangers made a bid for him, which Bolton rejected. However, as the 2015-16 season approached, Bolton's financial difficulties became increasingly apparent, and the club found itself in a position where it needed to sell players.On August 20, 2015, Ream was sold to Fulham for an undisclosed fee, bringing an end to his three-and-a-half-year stint with Bolton.
He left the club having made a total of 126 appearances across all competitions, scoring one goal and providing six assists. Ream made his Fulham debut on August 29, 2015, in a 3-1 victory over Rotherham United, playing the full 90 minutes. In his first season with the club, Ream made 29 appearances across all competitions. His playing time was somewhat limited due to international commitments and injuries.
Initially deployed as a center-back, Ream showed his versatility by filling in at left-back towards the end of the season following James Husband's departure.This season saw Ream become more established in the Fulham squad. He scored his first goal for the club on October 1, 2016, in a 2-1 loss against Queens Park Rangers. Throughout the season, Ream started 28 of 34 Championship games and also appeared in three FA Cup games and three League Cup fixtures.
His consistent performances helped solidify his place in the team.The 2017-18 campaign was a breakthrough season for both Ream and Fulham. Ream started every Championship game for Fulham, demonstrating his durability and importance to the team. He also featured in one FA Cup match.
A highlight of the season came on Boxing Day when Ream scored in Fulham's 4-2 win at Cardiff City.Fulham's success in reaching the Championship promotion playoffs saw Ream play a crucial role. He featured in both legs of the semi-final against Derby County, which Fulham won 2-1 on aggregate. In the play-off final at Wembley, Ream played the full 90 minutes as Fulham secured promotion to the Premier League with a 1-0 victory over Aston Villa.
Ream's outstanding performances throughout the season earned him Fulham's Player of the Year award. His contributions were further recognized with a new two-year contract, which included an option for an additional year extension (later taken up in 2019).Ream's return to the Premier League with Fulham saw him make his first start on September 29 at Everton. Throughout the season, he played in 26 league games, starting 25 of them.
He also appeared in two League Cup games and one FA Cup match. Despite Ream's efforts, Fulham were relegated back to the Championship at the end of the season.Fulham's return to the Championship saw Ream play an even more prominent role. He started every single Championship game of the season, plus one FA Cup contest.
His consistency was crucial as Fulham aimed for immediate promotion back to the Premier League.In the FA Cup fourth round game at Manchester City, Ream experienced a low point when he received a straight red card in the sixth minute, leading to a 4-0 defeat. However, he bounced back from this setback to continue his excellent form in the league.Fulham once again reached the promotion play-offs, with Ream starting both semi-final games against Cardiff City.
In the final at Wembley, Ream played the full 120 minutes as Fulham secured a 2-1 victory over Brentford in extra time, earning promotion back to the Premier League.Fulham's return to the Premier League proved challenging, and Ream found his playing time limited. He made only seven Premier League appearances, spending most of the season on the bench. Despite the team's struggles and eventual relegation, Ream remained a respected figure in the squad.
The 2021-22 campaign saw Ream return to prominence, captaining Fulham to another promotion from the Championship. He made 46 league appearances, playing every minute of the Championship season as Fulham secured the title. His leadership and consistent performances were crucial in the team's success. Ream's excellent form was recognized with his inclusion in the PFA Championship Team of the Year.
Ream continued to captain Fulham in their return to the Premier League. This season marked a personal milestone for Ream as he scored his first Premier League goal for Fulham on Boxing Day 2022 against Crystal Palace. His performances helped Fulham secure a comfortable mid-table finish, proving that they could compete at the highest level.In what would turn out to be his final season with Fulham, Ream made 18 appearances across all competitions.
A significant moment came on October 7, 2023, when Ream made his 300th appearance for Fulham in a 3-1 win over Sheffield United. This milestone underscored his longevity and importance to the club over nearly a decade.On December 29, 2023, Ream extended his contract with Fulham until the summer of 2025, seemingly securing his future with the club. However, in a surprising turn of events, Fulham agreed to let Ream leave the club in August 2024 to join MLS side Charlotte FC.
Ream's final appearance for Fulham came in the last match of the 2023-24 season, a 4-2 victory at Kenilworth Road against Luton Town. The away fans serenaded him with chants of "Tim Ream Again, Tim Ream Again, Team Ream Again, Olé, Olé!" – a fitting tribute to a player who had become a club legend.Throughout his time at Fulham, Ream made an impressive 312 appearances across all competitions, second only to Tom Cairney in the 21st century. His journey with the club saw him experience three promotions to the Premier League, including a Championship title-winning campaign.
In August 2024, Tim Ream made a surprising move to Charlotte FC in Major League Soccer, signing a contract through 2026 with an option for 2027. This transfer marked his return to MLS after 14 years in England. Ream made his debut for Charlotte FC on August 25, 2024, in a 1-1 draw against his former club, New York Red Bulls. He quickly established himself as a key player in Charlotte's defense, starting in seven MLS matches by the end of September.
Ream scored his first goal for Charlotte on September 15, 2024, in a 2-1 loss to Montreal Impact. His experience and leadership have been valuable assets as Charlotte FC pushes for a playoff spot in the 2024 MLS season.
National team
Tim Ream's youth international career was relatively limited, as he was a late bloomer in terms of national team recognition. He did not feature prominently in the U.S. youth national team setup during his teenage years or early twenties.
This absence from the youth international scene was partly due to his developmental path, which saw him focus on his college career at Saint Louis University rather than pursuing opportunities abroad at a young age. Despite not having a significant youth international career, Ream's performances at the collegiate level and his early professional years with the New York Red Bulls caught the attention of the senior national team coaches. His technical ability, reading of the game, and composure on the ball were qualities that stood out, even without the typical youth international experience that many of his peers had. This unconventional path to the national team underscores Ream's perseverance and the unique trajectory of his development as a player.Tim Ream's senior international career with the United States Men's National Team (USMNT) began on November 17, 2010, in a friendly match against South Africa. Since then, he has been a consistent presence in the national team setup, earning over 50 caps.
Ream has participated in several major tournaments for the USMNT, including the 2011, 2015, and 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cups. His performances in these competitions have been solid, showcasing his reliability and composure in high-pressure situations.One of the highlights of Ream's international career came during the inaugural CONCACAF Nations League in 2019-2021. He played every minute of the group stage matches and started in the final against Mexico, which the USA won 3-2 in extra time.
This victory marked a significant achievement for Ream and the team.Ream scored his only international goal in a friendly match against Puerto Rico on May 22, 2016. While not known for his goalscoring, he has contributed four assists throughout his international career, including three during the 2022 World Cup qualification cycle.In World Cup qualifying, Ream has been a valuable asset. He made six appearances during the 2018 cycle and featured in the opening match of the 2022 qualifiers, a 0-0 draw against El Salvador. His experience and leadership have been crucial in navigating the challenging CONCACAF qualifying process.
Player’s style
Tim Ream's style of play is characterized by his composure, tactical intelligence, and technical ability. As a center-back, he excels in reading the game, often anticipating and intercepting opposition attacks before they develop. Ream is known for his excellent passing range, capable of playing out from the back and initiating attacks with precise long balls. His calmness under pressure allows him to maintain possession in tight situations, a valuable asset in modern football.
While not the most physically imposing defender, Ream compensates with smart positioning and timing in his tackles. He is also versatile, capable of playing as a left-back when required. Ream's leadership on the field, honed through his experiences as club captain, adds another dimension to his game, making him a valuable presence both defensively and in organizing his teammates.