Tim Ream turns back the clock at Fulham

American defender Tim Ream played an integral role for the U.S. national team at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, a dream come true for a player who was on the outside looking in during the weeks before the tournament.At 35 years old, to be 38 by the time the 2026 World Cup comes around, the experience in Qatar only made him hungrier to pre s on, which is evident from the moment he starts talking about what lies ahead.I had a taste of it, and I want more, Ream told The Sporting News of his time at the World Cup. Until someone can surpa s me and take that spot from me, Im not gonna just Lucas Johansen Jersey give it to somebody.Its hard to remember the last time a player of his age with his mileage has experienced such a spectacular career renai sance. Just this past summer, Ream was considered by some as a has-been, a player who had been excellent in the Championship but had never quite put it together in the Premier League.MORE: With Fulham yo-yoing back to the English top flight again in 2022, Ream was a veteran presence in the squad, but not considered a long-term option, as the club brought in multiple center-backs during the summer transfer window.With the U.S. national team, Ream was even more of an afterthought. He started the first World Cup qualifier against Honduras, and then faded into the background, his 46 career caps seemingly no longer required as manager Gregg Berhalter progre sed with one of the youngest squads the U.S. had ever boasted.Then, the 2022/23 Premier League season began, and everything changed.Ream did what every out-of-favor player dreams of playing so well, that nobody can ignore you. Thats twice as hard for defenders, who dont often earn the spotlight compared to their teammates who get the goals.Yet Ream raised eyebrows with his play. Fulham got off Dale Hunter Jersey to a flying start to the 2022/23 season, and USMNT fans quickly took notice. USA manager Gregg Berhalter couldn't ignore what Ream was doing and it forced him to rethink hispersonnel choices in the back. In the end, at 35 years old, the Fulham man was not only a World Cup player, but he was a key figure for the U.S. in Qatar, starting all four games.Id had a conversation with the USMNT staff, and they saw me a playing the Wales game to open the World Cup . I got off the phone with them and I thought Im not just going to leave it with the Wales gameif Im gonna go, Im gonna GO, and Im gonna play."My wife asked me Are you going to play? And I said Im going to play all our games. And thats what I did. Everything about the whole experience was a dream come true for me.MORE: At the advanced stage of Reams career, it would be extremely easy and totally understandable if he ended his time with the USMNT coming off the pinnacle tournament of any player's career. With the World Cup journey seeing him reach the 50 international cap milestone, he could decide to prioritize his club career and dedicate additional time for his family.That couldnt be further from Tim Ream's thought proce s.This 2022/23 season has clearly proven reinvigorating, and while Ream is under no illusion about the effects on his body, hes ready to dig even deeper to satiate his newfound voracity for big minutes in front of global crowds.If I have to mi s camps, ok fine I get it, theres times where it becomes too much for my body . But going there to the World Cup and being with that group after being out for 14 months, it gave me a hunger to continue on."I dont think until I fully retire from Aaron Ness Jersey playing the game Ill retire from the national team. Being there in Qatar and playing those games, its given me kind of a new lease on life and football and the national team to see if I can get there for 2026.MORE: Following the World Cup, Ream has picked up where he left off at Craven Cottage. In his first game back with the club, he scored his first-ever Premier League goal on Boxing Day against Crystal Palace, absolutely roofing a set-piece delivery that had come off Aleksandar Mitrovics head right into Reams lap.The 's Tim Ream scores his first Premier League goal! | : NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) We had a few conversations, and obviously set-pieces are going to be one of the only times Ill get on the end of a ball and on the scoresheet, Ream said. A few guys had said todays the day and it happened to be that day.In a moment symbolic of Reams career, it almost wasnt to be. There was a VAR check for a po sible handball infraction against Mitrovic, who seemed to head it down onto his arm before it deflected to Ream. The match official was instructed by the VAR to review it at the monitor, which is often a precursor to an overturned call.MORE: I looked up at the big screen and saw there was a po sible handball and thought Oh no, please please, Ream said with a smile. And then I thought Well at least I didnt do anything stupid in the celebration if they do call it back.This time, however, it would stand, and Ream had his moment. One day later, through the end of the 2023/24 season.It was just the latest special moment in a fantastic Fulham season that has the Whites sitting in the Tom Wilson Jersey top half of the table, eyeing a Top 10 finish. Ream credits manager Marco Silva above all else for the teams turnaround from their previous Premier League stints.It just starts from the top," he said. "It starts with Marco the manager and his staff and everything they bring to the table."I say it all the Rod Langway Jersey time, but confidence is such a big thing, and when your manager exudes confidence and has confidence in you as a player and a person, it can go a very long way.Fulham were considered relegation candidates before the season, as promoted teams often are. Yet theyve been competitive in every match, gaining points consistently and even impre sing in defeats to bigger clubs.MORE: People dont see what goes on on the inside, only we see the work that goes into it, Ream said of the preseason doubts around their chances for survival. So whether theyre saying good, bad, or indifferent things, you just kind of shut it out."Everyone had an opinion on us before a ball was even kicked, and we know where our goals are. It doesnt matter what other peoples opinions are, we know how good of a team we are on and off the pitch.Most players at 35 years old are looking back, taking stock of what they have accomplished, and mapping out how to finish their career as strong as po sible before transitioning fully into family life. For Ream, it feels a little like hes just getting started.I think some people would like to see the back of me, Ream joked. But it was clear that isnt something to which he's offering any serious consideration.Its gonna be the biggest World Cup ever, Ream said of the 20