TIM HOWARD: Why the USMNT has a proper to be political at Copa America

Our country is incredibly divided. It has been for years and the reality is if you’re an athlete in America and politics comes up in conversation, you could sneeze the wrong way and you’d still be criticized.

Dip into politics and you’re enemy No 1. That’s just the way it is. But many sportsmen and women put still themselves in the firing line – here and around the world.

Look at Kylian Mbappe. Before France’s opening game at Euro 2024, he spoke out against extremism ahead of upcoming elections.

His teammates Ousmane Dembele, Olivier Giroud, Benjamin Pavard and Marcus Thuram have all addressed the vote, too.

But Mbappe’s comments were bold and shocked a lot of people – me included. There are only a few people in France who are really important and really polarizing. The President is one. Mbappe is another.

He is probably the best player in the world – a World Cup winner who is headed for Real Madrid, the biggest club in the world.

So he has a voice. He has a platform. And as long as you do the business on the field, you can say whatever you want.

The same goes for players on the USMNT. They don’t live under a rock. They understand that, going into Copa America, they represent a country riddled with division – racial, political and socio-economic. It’s obvious. Just look on our college campuses and in our courtrooms!

So if someone on the US team wanted to speak out, if they felt strongly about an issue and they are educated on it, that’s fine with me.

I don’t buy this idea that athletes should stick to sports. They are humans, they are individuals. And they have a right to speak – just like anybody else.

I have been on teams that talked about striking or taking the knee. Sometimes we decided to do it. Sometimes we decided to focus on playing.

It’s a delicate balance and there is no right answer. The most impactful time to take a stand is when all eyes are on you. And these are humans who have emotions and ideas of how they want to express themselves.

But there is another simple truth: whether you like it or not, whether it’s fair or unfair, if you create outside noise, you better make sure you perform.

Because let me be clear – just as the sun rises and sets, if you protest or speak out and you fail on the field? That will be the reason why. That’s just the way this works. I don’t make the rules. But that is the advice I’ve always given to teammates.

We have seen it with the USWNT. They have enjoyed such incredible success over the years – winning World Cups and Olympic gold medals.

But their players also chose to take a stand: they fought for equal pay, Megan Rapinoe took a knee and took on Donald Trump. Some players refused to sing the national anthem.

And when they flopped at last year’s World Cup, the criticism was brutal. Particularly for Rapinoe, who missed a crucial penalty – and then laughed. Trump had kept the receipts. ‘Many of our players were openly hostile to America — No other country behaved in such a manner, or even close,’ he wrote. ‘WOKE EQUALS FAILURE. Nice shot Megan, the USA is going to Hell!!! MAGA.’ 

Far-right leaders have already condemned Mbappe and the forward will come under more fire if he and France fail at Euro 2024. It is the risk anyone runs. 

This USMNT seems to be a tight unit. They understand what it means to wear the US jersey. But heading into Copa America, Gregg Berhalter has no permanent captain. That doesn’t sit well with me. 

I am a firm believer that there has to be one voice and the communication hierarchy must be clear: manager, captain, senior players and then nobody else. Soccer is fragile and players are insecure. Confidence ebbs and flow with every result. 

So you need a figurehead – someone strong, someone who stands up in the hard moments, someone who teammates can count on. When you have that, it’s amazing how everybody falls into line. 

Tyler Adams should have the armband – without question. Just look at how he operates on the pitch, his upbeat personality, his tenacity, and how well he speaks off the field. 

Under his leadership, this team can galvanize the country at Copa America. Sometimes it’s as easy as just kicking the ball – sports can be healing, motivational and inspirational. 

But Tyler is not a leader who shies away from difficult topics. And I would have no problem if he or a teammate spoke out. They just better back it up on the field.

COPA AMERICA PREDICTIONS

WINNER: Argentina

DARK HORSES: Colombia

STAR OF THE TOURNAMENT: Luis Diaz (Colombia)

He has starred for Liverpool but this is a chance for him to put a flag in the sand on the global stage.

YOUNG PLAYER TO SHINE: Gio Reyna (United States)

After a difficult couple of years, he finally has a solid footing in the national team. 

He can make himself one of the first names on the team sheet and run the show for the US – particularly when the game is open and fast-paced.

KEY PLAYER FOR THE USMNT: Christian Pulisic

He’s the face of the team and that means you have to produce. But, ultimately, the US goes as far as he can carry them this summer. 

Pulisic has done brilliantly for the US and he had an incredible club season at AC Milan. He’s in really good form and that is crucial going into major tournaments.