Soccer
This is how Tyler Adams made the journey from the Red Bulls Academy in New York to become a match-winning Champions League hero.
On Thursday night, nine years after he joined the Red Bulls Academy in New York, Tyler Adams helped RB Leipzig make the semi-finals of the Champions League for the very first time with his late winner over Atlético Madrid.
Spanish midfielder Dani Olmo headed the German side into the lead after 50 minutes against Atlético, only for substitute Joao Felix to level from the penalty spot in the 71st minute.
However, with just two minutes left of normal time, Adams's deflected winner – his first goal for the team – sent young coach Julian Nagelsmann's side through to face the likes of superstar Neymar Jr and his Paris St-Germain team-mates on August 18. It's a first in the club’s 11-year history.
At first, I didn't realise the ball went in, because without fans the circumstances are different whenever the ball hits the net
"Up until the 73rd minute it was a very tight game," says Adams, reflecting on the game where he came off the bench to put RB Leipzig through. "Coming on the field right after the penalty was a rough moment, but the coach gave me the right instructions and I'm very happy that I executed in the best way possible.
"At first, I didn't realise the ball went in, because without fans the circumstances are different whenever the ball hits the net. Plus, I'm not known for scoring a lot. But whenever you realise you've scored, the feeling is just unreal. There are so many emotions going on at that time. It was an indescribable feeling."
For 21-year-old Adams, it's a fairytale rise that saw the New York native join the Red Bulls Academy in 2011, aged 12, and included a daily 240km round trip to training and back from the home he shared with his mum Melissa, stepdad Darryl and three stepbrothers.
He played in the U13, U14 and U16 sides before signing a homegrown contract at 16. Then, after starring for the New York Red Bulls II team, he made a memorable first-team debut in a friendly game against Premier League champions Chelsea when he scored in a 4–2 win.
He went on to make 52 New York Red Bulls appearances, which aided his international dreams, as he earned his first full USA cap on November 14, 2017 in a 1–1 draw against Portugal.
I've made a lot of friends already and the fact we're such a young team makes it feel like we're a family
Naturally, Adams's family, friends and former team-mates in the United States were at the very forefront of his mind after the final whistle. "I've messaged my family, my girlfriend and friends. Of course, it's a very special moment for them as well," he says. "They always supported me in the best way possible. I grew up in a small town an hour-and-a-half from New York and all the sacrifices my mom made driving me to the academy every day are simply beyond words."
The central midfielder made the move to RB Leipzig in January 2019 and used lockdown to recuperate from injuries that saw him miss big chunks of the 2019–20 season, while the former high school basketball point guard also kicked back with walks and photography. He's now a regular in the side and signed a new deal earlier this year that will keep him at the Red Bull Arena until 2025.
"It's a different work-life balance in Leipzig, if you compare it to New York, but the teams are both amazing," Adams says about his move across the Atlantic. "I've made a lot of friends already however and the fact we're such a young team makes it feel like we're a family. But if you speak about my journey, it sometimes feels a bit unreal."
Now, Adams's attention is already focused on the tough semi-final match against PSG on August 18 and the chance to take on some of football's most celebrated players.
"We're just going game-by-game. I've played against Kylian Mbappé already, when I was playing for the national team," he recalls. "We know it's going to be very tactical game and we also know PSG has an amazing team, but we're excited and we've proved that we're ready."
And what about the prospect of scoring another historic goal to send RB Leipzig through the Champions League final? "Man, that would be unreal," admits Adams. "I'm happy with the win from yesterday, so we'll see what happens on Tuesday.’"
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