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The Assist: Tim Ream reflects on the teammate who matters most and the coaches who shaped his game
New York Life | June 8, 2026
New York Life’s The Assist explores the power of guidance through the stories of U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team players and the coaches, mentors and loved ones who helped shape their futures.
Tim Ream on the coaches who helped shape his game
Q: When you hear Tommy Howe’s name, what’s the first word that comes to mind?
A: Influence. I think about the number of players that he coached that went on to become professionals — long before me and long after me.
Q: What did Tommy give you early on as a player?
A: All my technical training started with Tommy.
Q: And what did Kevin Kalish add when he came into the picture?
A: Kevin came in and started to teach tactics and positioning and how we molded as a team.
Q: The training setup in St. Louis wasn’t always glamorous. What do you remember about it?
A: At that time, we didn’t have many facilities here in St. Louis.
Q: How did those “make it work” environments actually help your development?
A: You’d get comfortable having someone be so close to you, and it teaches you how to use your teammates.
Q: Is there a specific drill or moment that still sticks with you?
A: I remember doing the 2v2s. You’d be in this space and you’d have to turn and figure out how to play this guy here.
Q: When you look at your game today, how much of it traces back to those early sessions?
A: Honestly, I think everything I do in a game, it goes back to that technical training. These little things that you do each and every single day that people don’t see put you into this big moment.
Q: What do you want people to know about Tommy and Kevin?
A: All of the guys, we have had conversations about Tommy and about Kevin, and we all give them credit, but I don’t think we’ve ever said it to their face.
Q: So say it here: What do you want them to know?
A: Just, thank you. I’m not here playing today, at this level, without the trainings, without the commitment, without everything that went into it.
Tim Ream on the teammate who matters most
Q: Tell us about when you met your wife, Kristen.
A: First thing I remember about her is her smile actually, and then just how outgoing she was. Someone that, yeah, I was actually quite intimidated by.
Q: For people who don’t know your backstory, how did you two meet?
A: Kristen and I both went to St. Louis University in Missouri. I played on the men’s team and she played on the women’s team.
Q: Kristen calls you a “nerd.” Fair?
A: I was… I was boring, and I can admit that.
Q: What’s the dynamic between you two that makes it work?
A: One of the things that I appreciate the most is that she was an athlete, so she gets it. She knows the tough moments, knows the great moments, knows the chaos.
Q: Why does it matter that she “gets it”?
A: I think if you’re going through moments alone, it’s tough. Whether it’s the big picture of the world or in the small moments when nobody sees.
Q: How do you keep the highs and lows of soccer from taking over family life?
A: When I’m home, I’m just dad.
Q: What does your family’s support give you as a player?
A: It gives you this feeling of, OK, well my value is not there. It’s here. I’m important here. No matter what happens on the field, what you mean to your wife and your three young children is what matters. It gives you a freedom, and you can go on and just play like you’re a kid again.
Q: You’re still doing this at 38 — and at an elite level. What does that mean to you?
A: Doing what I’m doing at 38 years old, potentially being the oldest US player to play in this tournament is, I mean, it’s unheard of really.
Q: OK, lighter question. Your kids have already planned your goal celebration. What is it?
A: If I score, I have to do a walking cane celebration — and hold my back like I’ve thrown it out, right?
Q: Last one: what do you want Kristen to know about what she’s meant to your career — and your life?
A: It doesn’t happen without her. I get to go and do what I love because her stability keeps us all connected. I’m thankful every day that we found each other and I have her to walk this journey with me.
Media contact
Sara Sefcovic
New York Life Insurance Company
(212) 576-4499
Sara_M_Sefcovic@newyorklife.com