The Captain presented by Verizon: Tyler Adams on Andoni Iraola's departure, Arsenal's anxiety, and Pochettino's USMNT squad

0:00You're listening to the Men in Blazers Media Network, Suboptimal Radio. I think Arsenal, you could tell early on, there was a sense of nervousness. It just takes one little error, one little mistake, and the fans get a little bit nervy. And that's a difficult atmosphere to play in and thrive in when you're trying to chase a championship. You can feel it. You can definitely feel it. Yeah, that's great.

0:25Tyler Adams:It's incredible to welcome back to the show, to the Premier League failed, fresh off clipping, shocking, dropping league leaders' arsenal with his golden war cherries of Bournemouth for another episode of The Captain, presented by our friends at Verizon. It's a joy to see the king of Wappingers Falls, New York, it's Mr. Tyler Adams. Yes, Raj, how we doing? We're doing so well. Welcome back. let's start with your mighty fruit win at the emirates arsenal one bournemouth two some game to come back for you you're a childhood arsenal fan i know i know you're proper proper bournemouth now but to charge back after three weeks out um must have felt like some incredible height yeah it was a big game for me personally because me and bradley wright phillips have a bit of a rivalry going on i told him we were going to do that this weekend and i'm happy it came to fruition so texted him right after the game and and stayed true to my word so I was very happy about that I'm one up on him but no in all seriousness it was it was good to come back for a game like that it gets you right back in full swing the energy is there to play a team that's sitting in first place you don't need any motivation for a game like that so happy to come away with three points I want to break down the beats of this game because it was incredible to witness it must have been transcendent to play.

1:43Tyler Adams:Your Bournemouth arrived, knowing they'd done the double against Arsenal last season. But you've been a strange creature this campaign. No team has gone longer without losing in the Premier League. But Bournemouth also hadn't won in two months before this one. I think five straight draws going back to February 21st. Watching the opening of the game, it felt like you guys had a complete game plan to run at Arsenal. Ryan, that young Brazilian charging down the right. You pressed. your challenge almost ensure the effervescence of the home fans that the emirates just burn right off and be replaced with the gnawing agony the gnawing doubt is that a real thing or do we just kind of bolt on that or project that game plan retrospectively i think a little bit of it is projection i think that our game plan is it varies from game to game but the way that we've played against arsenal is pretty consistent in the way that we press the way that we wait for certain triggers in order to kind of optimize energy and just the atmosphere.

2:40But at the same time, we told ourselves before the game, we have to put ourselves in their shoes. They have, you know, a whole lot to play for. Obviously, we have a lot to play for, but it's a different circumstance when you're chasing a title. And we knew it was probably going to be a little bit nervy. And if one thing goes wrong, then the fans start, you know, getting a little bit anxious. And I feel like we played right into that occasion. I think we capitalized on any little mistake that they made. I think in other games that wouldn't even be a mistake, but the way that we were able to pounce on those opportunities and score quick goals.

3:09Obviously, Alex Scott with a great finish in the end, but it was a complete team performance, man. I think you, honestly, you can go around the pitch on our team and say 10 out of 10 performance for a majority of our team.

3:20Tyler Adams:Hard-hitting question. Who didn't get a 10 out of 10? I'm not going to go there, Tyler. This episode of The Captain is brought to you by Verizon. It's an official sponsor of the FIFA World Cup 2026. Verizon knows this isn't just any year. It's a FIFA World Cup year, and they're teaming up with David Beckham and an all-star roster to launch Verizon Ultimate Access for FIFA World Cup 26. Verizon customers, you'll have access to thousands of free FIFA World Cup tickets, once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to win golden tickets for access on the field during gameplay, meet and greets with soccer legends, more on the road to the tournament.

3:58Tyler Adams:This FIFA World Cup 2026, no one gets you closer than Verizon. But I do want to break the beats down because Alex Scott will get to. But that first goal, 17 minutes, Adrian Truffert got down to the byline. The ball took a massive deflection and quickest to react by some distance was Kruppi. Again, went kung fu fighting, finished off with a thunderous stab. Can we talk about Junior Kruppi for a second? 19 years old, just become the first teenager to score 10 or more goals in his debut Premier League season since the iconic Robbie Keane back in 2000. You train with this kid. Can you talk about him?

4:34Tyler Adams:Because what he can do with a football, technically, it feels next level, almost a borderline madness. What can he do and how does he do it? Yeah, he's an absolute different level, man. For a 19-year-old kid to not be phased by any situation at all and to go along with the quality that he has, I genuinely, I don't say this lightly, he has the potential to be world-class. And I know that's a crazy statement to make, but I wouldn't say that about a player. like if you saw what this kid does in training on a daily basis and the way that he trains the positions that he can play like he was a number nine he could play number 10 he could play as a winger like you put him anywhere and he just gets the game like such a high iq level so yeah like if there's a person you want with the ball in front of the goal it's it's him because 10 out of 10 times i'm thinking that he's gonna bury it no matter what so he makes certain things look really easy that are difficult um so yeah i mean i don't have enough you know positive things to say about him.

5:31Tyler Adams:I mean, after that moment, we were wondering how would Arsenal respond? And in that first half hour, I don't think they had a shot on target. I was amongst those who marveled at the assault on the quadruple by Arsenal, by Mikel Arteta. But we know teams in multiple competitions burn through bodies. You were on the bench watching this first half. What did you see? It's difficult to analyze because I can't even imagine what a team like Arsenal is going through with the amount of games that they have to play in such a difficult competition to even try and compete for a Premier League title week in, week out.

6:01Like no one wants to have to try and focus on Champions League and then have to play against Bournemouth who runs every team into the ground. Do you know what I mean? Like it's not it's not the same as every other league. And for a team like that, that, you know, you start to get injuries and they feel like they all stack up at the same time. You know, I don't want to sit here and make excuses for a team, but you see guys that are going to end up playing 60 games a season. And to a certain extent, it's it's unfair. So, you know, for me watching that game, again, our game plan, our execution was top notch.

6:30And I think on Arsenal's best day, we can still try and compete at a high level against them. But it's got to be difficult playing that many games a season.

6:38Tyler Adams:Yeah, they finally got into the game with a penalty. Ball smashed against Ryan Christie's arm. It's one of those that are given. It also felt like an agony. But then in that second half, you guys again, the game plan again. I don't know what was said in the locker room at halftime. but the collective endeavor that Andoni Ola can inculcate. We'll talk about him in a minute. Your team came in with a plan. There was a fearlessness. Watching it, the ruthlessness too. It's almost as if every single Bournemouth player's confidence rubs off on the next. Yeah, we knew that we had to dig deep. We said it at halftime that you got to completely empty the tank.

7:14We have a strong bench. And when you can rely on players to come in the game and make an impact, everyone wants to make sure that they leave everything out there on the pitch. So again, I think you have to make sure that you do your job at the end of the day to a high level. But the performances we were getting out of guys, that was one of the best performances we've had here at Bournemouth for sure.

7:30Tyler Adams:You came on in the 69th minute. Nice. What emotions do you experience when you return to the field after three weeks out? Yeah, I think you want to make an impact, but you don't want to go chasing the game. And I feel like I've learned that as I've gotten a little bit older. You got to let the game come to you in certain occasions. And I feel like I was able to affect the game pretty quickly, making a couple of good defensive plays and then you know right after you do that your confidence is oozing because you're in a game where you're tied with Arsenal at Emirates you have a chance to to go up potentially we felt like we were in control of a game still so it was a good moment to come in and be able to try to make an impact.

8:04Tyler Adams:A lot's been said about the Emirates by the way a lot of it by Mikel Arteta about the atmosphere how it can be good how it can be a challenge told the fans ahead of this one I don't know if that filtered into your locker room you told them to bring your lunch bring your dinner but the staging must become and it did become in that second half quite anxiety filled some of the players have talked about it have come on our show and talked about how they can feel it as a visitor can you feel it do you sense it um an anxiety and do you feed off it oh 100 i mean like i said i think you could tell early on when they're trying to play out from the back that there was a sense of nervousness and the thing was the team was playing well i think arsenal in the first five, 10 minutes played some of their best football they did in that game.

8:47And you saw they were confident, but it just takes one little error, one little mistake, and the fans get a little bit nervy. And that's a difficult atmosphere to play in and thrive in when you're trying to chase a championship, because we talk about them like they're not sitting first on the table still, like they're in complete control of everything, of everything to play for still. So I feel like you're, again, people are projecting something onto them that's making them feel a certain type away. I mean, I'm no psychologist. I'm not going to sit here and tell them what's going wrong, but you can feel it.

9:17You could definitely feel it. And I'm scared. What can you feel?

9:20Tyler Adams:And does it make you feel like we've got this? Like, are you as the opponent feeding off that? As an opposition, it's the best thing to hear when you're playing in a way game and all of a sudden it feels like the momentum is swinging and it feels like almost like a home game. Like at certain moments of the game, I heard our fans, you know, celebrating or cheering. And it was like, Like, why is it so quiet in here right now? Do you know what I mean? Like, they're trying to chase the title. We're trying to chase potentially finishing in a European position. But it feels like we're playing for a little bit more in these circumstances.

9:48So I think it's difficult. I think it can be really difficult when you're in an environment like that.

9:53Tyler Adams:And then the moment, 75 minutes, Bournemouth exploded up the gut. A move that started with a header from one Tyler Adams. Ev Nielsen fed a sprinting Alex Scott. Oh, the man known around the world as Guernsey Grealish. sent him dancing through gave the goalkeeper the eyes and then just slapped him an absolute dagger first that goal it started with the Bournemouth press finished with intricate fast-paced collective clinicality watching it that is peak Bournemouth football that's what Irola has been drilling you in training to do right? Oh without a doubt transitions are a strong suit winning the ball as high up the field as possible turning them into chances to score dominating territory all over the field those are the principles that he's instilled in us over the past three years That's a perfect sequence of well-executed Bournemouth football.

10:42Tyler Adams:God bless Alex Scott. Surviving, thriving. Players had his share of injuries, but is an incredibly intelligent footballer. You play alongside him as a double pivot. Can you talk about what he does that we wouldn't understand just by watching? Because that must have felt so sweet, that moment striking the ball home for a childhood Spurs fan to put that massive dent in Arsenal's title, I hope. Yeah, absolutely. I forgot about that until you even said it. He's another one of those players, man. He's incredible to watch. I've seen him go from strength to strength this season, and I'm extremely happy for him because I know early on in his time at Bournemouth, we bonded over some difficult moments we were both going through at the same times in our careers.

11:22And for both of us to obviously overcome them and play well is one thing. But he's a player that he challenges himself every single day to get better, and you see it. But again, he's not phased by the occasion. I don't think people understand.

11:34Tyler Adams:it's really rare to find a player that can play in the midfield in all three positions and he can play them all to an extremely high level do you know what I mean so again I'm extremely happy for him he deserves it all but the work that he puts in how incredible of a footballer he is um yeah he deserves it all I love that Alex Scott told TNT Sport that David Brooks had said it was a tap-in and that James Hill had said it was a worldie which was it Tyler from what he was doing I'll give my boys credit. And you got the assist to the assist to the assist, which he can't miss after what you'd done there.

12:09Tyler Adams:You laid it away. Which leads us to Getting Closer, presented by Verizon. The segment in this show where we get an inside look at the pivotal moments of opportunity, challenge and growth that shaped Tyler's rise, made closer and more personal to Verizon. The moments that honestly make the captain. We're going to talk about the final whistle, because it must have felt amazing. Team had won again, proven itself again. Second season in a row at the Emirates. Is there relief? Is there surprise? Is there actually at this point no surprise because you have a game plan? No, I was just thinking about the Nandos I was going to order when I got home because it was just a coach ride home and I'm home by dinner time.

12:48So no stress, but no, it's great to win two consecutive years in a row at the Emirates. It's not an easy place to play, especially against a team that's sitting in first place and trying to compete for a title. So again, it's credit to the team because I feel like in the biggest moments, we always show up and we're growing into those big games more and more.

13:06Tyler Adams:The response to the performance was utterly magical. Humanly, I particularly loved this tweet from, I'll just pick one random Arsenal fan, a guy called Piers Morgan, who tweeted, how could Bournemouth, who have nothing to play for, look like they wanted it 10 times as badly as Arsenal, who have a chance to win the league for the first time in 22 years? Just effing inexplicable. But tell me, this crazy Premier League, Bournemouth do have a ton to play for. What are you, in your own mind, in your own words, what are you playing for? It's weird because I think that before the international break, when you're not winning games and you're just drawing a bunch of games, you're like, oh my God, there's no way that we can push for Europe still.

13:48And then you win a game and they're like, all of a sudden, like how can we still be in a position that we can qualify for Europe? So again, I think it's on our minds. Like how can it not be on your mind to set an achievement that the club hasn't achieved before? But again, it's going to take more games like the performances that we put in against Arsenal because the games that we have left are not easy and those teams have a lot to play for. So again, we need to make it feel like it's the biggest games of our careers, just like we did in the past week. But again, it's going to take the depth of the squad and a lot of good performances.

14:18Bournemouth getting into Europe,

14:20Tyler Adams:can you talk about that? Does it feel possible? And what would it mean to you, you know, for the fans, for that club, for this incredible journey? It feels possible. It feels possible without a doubt. I think sometimes we feel like we've probably counted ourselves out of it because of some results that we've gotten where it feels like you're getting pushed out a little bit but we're right in the race man and I feel like we're hunting and I feel like you know being at the bottom of the pack but looking in is is a good spot to be in so some big games left but for this club I think it just shows that the trajectory that they're on is real and what they want to achieve is real and the recruitment is real the training ground the stadium plans like all these things are real things and that's credit to the owner and all the people that work with him because they have big goals two points off a european place for the golden war cherries bournemouth who could make a case that they are the team of 2026 12 game unbeaten street new club record coming after you told the potent goal machine anton someno in january and you haven't lost since which is which is remarkable i mean it's just wizardry so what is it 11 games since he's gone incredible borderline miraculous How have you done that?

15:26Tyler Adams:Because he was such a key. I mean, a finish so strong for his Bournemouth career too. Have you just been like, no, that was just a speed bump? How's that happened from the inside? I think that's the recruitment of the club that you have to give credit to, bringing in a player like Ryan, who settled into the Premier League quite seamlessly. To come from Brazil, which is obviously a very competitive league, but to fit into the best league in the world overnight as a 19-year-old, he set the bar very high, not only for himself, but the club in order to keep finding players like that. So again, I think players have replaced Antoine well.

15:55We knew that it wasn't just going to be one player. It was going to be a collective and guys have chipped in with goals, assist. Our defense has stepped up for sure. I mean, I think that in the beginning of the season, we felt like we were conceding goals for fun. And then now all of a sudden we're able to keep clean sheets and concede at a low clip. So I think that's been super important for us as well to feel like a complete team.

16:19Tyler Adams:Anton Semenya, we do need to talk about it because he posted a saluting face emoji. to Alex Scott, who've just done him and Manchester City, a massive solid. Most players arrive at Manchester City, we've been told they take like months or even an entire season. To understand Pep Guardiola's ways, so many have scored on his debut. He's got nine goals and three assists. It looks like he's been at City for years. Incredibly, you know, was it four seasons ago he was playing at Bristol City? The journey has been incredible. But to watch him thrive in the Premier League title, chase pressure has that been a surprise and what's the secret to his success as you understand it for me it's how humble he is how he carries himself every single day how he talks to people he works extremely hard at his craft but for me when you have a person in an environment that's such a good person everyone feeds off of that not only was he one of the best players at our club and one of the best players to ever play for bournemouth but that transition is going to be seamless when you're when you're likable when people respect you um when you're a listener and you're just going with open ears trying to improve, like he's not the guy in training that's going to yell at you and tell you what you did wrong.

17:26He's the positive guy that is going to be like, next time do this and this is how we can improve. And that type of constructive criticism, I'm sure going into an environment like that, he's probably just a sponge and soaking it all in because for me, the talent speaks for itself. He's one of the best in the world at his position. I mean, you can't teach those attributes, the strength, the ability to shoot with both feet. He's a threat from different positions. So yeah, I can't say enough good things about him, But that being said, he stepped in in the first day. He started a game and started scoring goals.

17:52So, credit to him.

17:54Tyler Adams:It's amazing. We just had him on. I said, what did Pep Guardiola tell you on the first day? He said, just play with freedom. Just play like you did at Bournemouth, which is the greatest tribute to all you built together. And in a way, an incredible tribute to Andoni Arola, who we have to talk about, the best manager. He's now won at the Emirates two seasons on the run, which is an incredible achievement. He announced this week he'll be leaving Bournemouth at the end of the season. First of all, how do you find out? And how does it feel in that moment? I don't want to say it's difficult because in my career, I've had so many managers.

18:28And you have to learn how to adapt and play under different managers and learn from different managers. But he told us out on the pitch a couple of days ago or the day the announcement came out. And he just said that he was moving on, not necessarily to a new place or anything like that. Just we'll see how it comes. but he felt like he came to the club. It's grown. He's grown with it. But every manager at a certain extent feels like it's a responsibility to also move on and allow the club to grow as well and allow the manager to grow as well and us as players. So he just felt like that was the right time.

19:01And to anybody that's bet the manager before, they know speaking to him that I'm sure he has massive ambitions for himself. But what he's done for the club is, you know, it speaks volumes. So he's made every single one of us better. And I think it will be a difficult transition. but also one that the club has to embrace.

19:16Tyler Adams:His statistics are incredible. Points per game, win ratio, highest of any top flight Bournemouth manager in history, led the cherries to record points. Despite selling, this is something he never complained about publicly, which in its own way is unique in modern football. So many of the young iconic players, Dean Housen, Sabani, Kerkhez, Dengu Wattara, Anton Semenya, of course. Pep Guardiola has marvelled about it, and his Bournemouth offensive style. I love this. And a live team. And a live team with spirit. Sounds better out of Pep's mouth. What is he like from the inside as he breeds this mentality, this fearlessness in his team?

19:54So humble. The way that he carries himself every single day, I think people look up to him. And I think to have a manager that you look up to, you know, not only for how they coach, but also he had a renowned playing career as well. You know, to play that long at athletic club is a huge achievement. So yeah, I think for us, there's so many characteristics that we take. The competitiveness, the hunger, the ambition to achieve things. And I think it seeps into every single player that's in the squad. So I can say he's made me such a better player and better human. And I'm going to take a lot of, obviously, admiration from my time working with him.

20:25Tyler Adams:How has he made you a better player? And what's he done specifically for your game and your inward? The way that I look at the game has just completely changed because when you're working under a manager that has played your position and also understands your position as well, The amount of times that he's looked at video or we've gone over video and he says, Tyler, you need to be in this position for this reason and try to play forward in this situation or, you know, be half and half in this space to make sure that you can anticipate this. Those are things that resonate with me to a different level because he understands my role and how to play it.