United States captain Tim Ream has expressed his admiration for Derby County striker Patrick Agyemang, noting the significant progress the 25-year-old American forward has made while playing in the Championship.
“Everything has developed further, and he still has more to achieve. That’s both exciting and promising,” Ream commented, as the U.S. prepares for upcoming friendlies against Belgium and Portugal later this month. “His confidence is evident, and he’s finding the back of the net regularly.”
“Watching him play, it’s clear he’s able to complete full matches. That indicates to me he’s in a good mental and physical space. When you feel good, you throw caution to the wind.”
Agyemang, who is vying for a spot on the World Cup roster this summer, has already scored 10 goals and provided three assists in his debut season with Derby County. After playing alongside Ream at Charlotte FC in MLS, he noted the differences between the American league and the English second division since moving abroad in 2025.
“The main difference for me is the physicality; it’s incredibly intense in England. It’s a demanding environment,” Agyemang explained. “Sometimes you expect a foul and it’s not called; the game simply continues, which adds an aggressive edge.”
Ream, who previously played in the Championship with Fulham and Bolton Wanderers, emphasized the growth that players like Agyemang can experience in that league.
“Football may vary in style, but for me, the Championship accelerates your development. It teaches you the importance of consistency and recovery, especially when facing a packed schedule of Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday matches,” Ream noted.
Discussing the U.S. team, Ream reflected on the significance of the current training camp under head coach Mauricio Pochettino with the World Cup only a few months away.
“The message remains consistent, just as it has in all the camps before: this is the most important camp, like the one we had in November,” said Ream. “Staying focused on the present is crucial.”
The USMNT will compete against Belgium on March 28 and Portugal on March 31, both matches taking place at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The Americans will kick off Group D play at the World Cup on June 12 against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.