Tyler Adams, Wappingers' pro soccer star, readies for next step

A.J. Martelli | Poughkeepsie Journal

Show Caption Hide Caption Video: New York Red Bulls player Tyler Adams Roy C. Ketcham High School senior Tyler Adams, 18, talks about his experience as a player for the New York Red Bulls at home in Wappingers Falls June 12, 2017.

Roy C. Ketcham High School’s graduation ceremony is scheduled for June 24.

Tyler Adams doesn’t know what he’ll wear that day. It will either be a cap and gown or his New York Red Bulls uniform.

A senior at Ketcham, Adams is a midfielder for the Major League Soccer team, the highest professional soccer league in the United States, and his squad has a game on June 24 against its rival, New York City Football Club.

“It’s a dilemma, for sure,” Adams said Monday. “But it’s probably going to be the game. I can’t miss it.”

It’s a dilemma most high school seniors aren’t faced with. But, little about Adams’ high school experience has been routine since he signed a contract with the Red Bulls organization two years ago.

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His after-school practices have required a daily commute to the Red Bulls’ facility in New Jersey, following an abbreviated class schedule. His road trips have taken him to places such as Honduras and Costa Rica, playing against the best players in the world in his age group.

He was able to attend Ketcham’s senior prom on June 9 only after his United States National Team was eliminated from the Under-20 World Cup in South Korea earlier this month. He had to miss a Red Bulls practice, though he received a tweet supporting him for prom king from the Red Bulls’ official Twitter, with its 185 thousand followers.

Have a great time at Prom tonight, @tyler_adams14! You've got our vote for Prom King! 🕺💃 #RBNY pic.twitter.com/naPdLfHSkF — New York Red Bulls (@NewYorkRedBulls) June 9, 2017

And after graduation, Adams plans to continue maintaining that balance, taking college classes online while embracing life as a budding professional soccer star living in Wappingers Falls.

Hours after his last day of high school classes on Monday, the poised, 5-foot-9 18-year-old deflected credit for his accomplishments to others, citing support received from family and friends, and shied away from summing up how far he’s come thus far. But, he spoke with confidence about what the future has in store.

“It’s been quite a whirlwind of balancing my education, my social life and then soccer,” he said. “But soccer is my pride and joy, so every time I get to go out there, it’s a smile on my face and I enjoy every minute of it.”

He plans to study sports psychology in college, taking classes remotely from Southern New Hampshire University beginning July 3.

Still, adding polish to his soccer game will be his main focus, playing in a professional soccer league in which some of his teammates are 15 years his senior. Already, Adams has become a depended-on member of the Red Bulls team, having started seven games this season leading up to their match against New York City Football Club Wednesday night.

The Red Bulls typically draw more than 19,000 fans per game at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey.

“It’s insane to think what’s happened in the four years he’s been in high school,” said Darryl Sullivan, Adams’ stepfather and a social studies teacher at Ketcham. “Where he’s been and now we’re he’s going, and everything he’s come upon.”

Dutchess' Tyler Adams with the MLS Red Bulls Tyler Adams of Wappingers Falls plays for Red Bull NY in Major League Soccer. Here are some highlights from his career. Video by Phil Strum/Poughkeepsie Journal

Sullivan said he and Adams’ mother, Melissa, discuss his future often. And while he said the teenager has the means to start living on his own after graduation, he’s more comfortable remaining with his family at home, where he still takes the garbage out.

“We’re thrilled that he’s not just developing as a player, but developing as a young man,” Sullivan said.

Unique high school days

Adams signed his professional soccer contract on March 19, 2015. It came six years after he joined the Red Bulls Regional Development School, a program in which players ages 8-14 are trained by the Red Bulls’ professional staff. One of his brothers, Dylan, is in the program now.

Adams became the first player to graduate from the program to earn a professional contract, and began his career as a member of Red Bulls II, the Red Bulls’ minor-league team that plays in the United Soccer League.

This year, he’s the youngest member of the Red Bulls’ main roster. Though Adams described the team as having a “family atmosphere,” he said he had to prove his worth.

“You have to earn the respect of everybody by showing your character and how you handle yourself on the field, by showing how good you are,” he said. “I think I have proved to them and earned their respect, but at the same time every day, I’m still pushing for a spot against guys who are trying to put food on the table for their families. So, it’s never easy.”

And, before attending afternoon practice each day, Adams attends four class periods at Ketcham, beginning with the school’s “zero period” at 6:40 a.m., in which teachers are available to students as they make up classwork.

The past two years, Adams took required courses like English, social studies and physical education, having completed all necessary math and science classes by the end of his sophomore year. Open electives like history of sports, economics and African studies have allowed him to reach other graduation requirements.

“My teachers did a great job with me,” Adams said, “coordinating when I’m gone and giving me work in order to complete it and get credit for being in class.”

While at school, Adams said his classmates haven’t treated him like an emerging MLS star.

“They don’t praise me any different than anybody should. I don’t want to be praised like that at all,” he said. “It’s great to have friends who treat me like a regular person.”

On a typical weekday, Adams returns to his home from practice by 3 p.m.

In his free time, Adams said he and his friends head to the Poughkeepsie Galleria to walk the mall. On other occasions, they’ll sit around a bonfire. Finding a balance between soccer and a social life hasn’t been difficult, he said, with a key being the discipline to know when to stay in and rest for a game.

“It’s a lot of fun,” Adams said of how he spends his spare time. “All my friends have supported me through all this, and I’ve made more through the journey. It’s been great.”

He even attends Ketcham varsity soccer games when time allows, including a victory this past season over rival John Jay, which “is always good.”

Amazing experiences

On June 4, Adams played the first 51 minutes of the United States’ quarterfinal game in the Under-20 World Cup, open only to players under 20 years old. The team lost, 2-1, to Venezuela, ending a two-week stay in South Korea. Adams had played all but five minutes in the team’s first four games.

“Not many people get to say they went to (South Korea), let alone for soccer. It was a really cool experience,” Adams said. “It’s the biggest youth tournament in the world. You go toe-to-toe with some of the best players in the world. And you look at these experiences, and the types of kids playing in these tournaments are the stars of the next generation.”

It was just the latest exotic destination he’s visited through international competition. Adams said he takes “a lot of pride and joy” in representing his country.

In February, he traveled with the Under-20 team to Honduras to compete in the CONCACAF championship, helping the U.S. win the title for the first time in its history. In 2015, he spent time in the U.S. Soccer residency program, living in Bradenton, Florida, and he competed with the Under-17 national team in tournaments in Central and South America.

“I’m proud of him,” said Donnie Sullivan, Adams’ youngest brother and a Ketcham freshman. “Watching him play, it’s like, ‘Wow, that’s awesome.’ He’s come a long way and it’s really cool having him for a brother.”

And, Adams’ friends and family maintain he’s remained grounded.

Mike Paino, Adams’ junior varsity basketball coach his freshman year at Ketcham, said, “Whenever he sees me, he gives me a high five —‘Hey coach, how’s the season going? Sorry I haven’t been able to make many games.’”

On April 9, Paino and his family were in Orlando. Adams was also in town, with the Red Bulls, for their game against Orlando City. The two spoke before the game, and Adams offered Paino tickets.

“He waved to us during the national anthem,” Paino recalled. “He came to see us before the game and after the game he texted me saying, ‘Hey, if you’re still around, come down to the field. I want to say thank you for coming.’”

Learning for the future

Adams anticipates that his college schedule will be less grueling than his high school routine. Southern New Hampshire University is an official education partner of Major League Soccer, offering players, retired players and staff members flexible schedules through online education.

“I don’t know what college is going to entail yet; how many classes I’ll take per semester or figuring that out,” Adams said. “But I think that education needs to be continued no matter where your career is, because it can end any day. Especially in sports, any day.”

Continuing to sharpen his soccer game is an aspect of the future Adams is also looking forward to, as well.

Red Bulls midfielder Sacha Kljestan talked with Adams after the Under-20 World Cup. Kljestan had played in the tournament in 2005, and has since competed in top-level European leagues, including the Champions League, open only to the best clubs from various leagues.

“He’s had these experiences,” Adams said. “Sometimes you ask him, ‘What was this what you practiced?’ or ‘What moment made you realize you needed to do this better?’”

As he continues to learn as each day passes, Adams is making sure not to look too far ahead or too far back.

“‘The future is still being written’ — that’s one of my favorite quotes because I never really look back,” he said. “I’ll do that when I stop playing soccer. When I get older, I’ll take it all in, but right now I’m living every moment like it’s the last.”

A.J. Martelli: amartelli@poughkeepsiejournal.com, 845-437-4836, Twitter: @AJM_PoJoSports

Tyler Adams

Age: 18

Hometown: Wappingers Falls

Height: 5-foot-9

Weight: 150 pounds

Team: New York Red Bulls

Position: Midfielder

Career highlights: