Written version: Tim Ream
Should you prefer text to audio, here's the written version of my interview with USMNT veteran defender Tim Ream, who started for the USA against Wales, playing a key role for the USA in that draw.
I spoke with Tim Ream over a zoom call this past Saturday morning in Doha. (Media onsite in Qatar are able to attend training, press conferences, and round tables with select players in person, but one on one interviews have thus far been over zoom due to security precautions at the team hotel.)
Tim was very generous with his time, and graciously answered my questions with sincere thought. We talked about everything from his career, to life in England, playing to change perceptions, dealing with unwanted attention, and more.
Some of the text has been edited for clarity.
How's Doha treating you guys?
Yeah, it's been good. We've gradually changed our sleep schedules and gotten used to the heat and really just been in preparation and adjustment mode, in terms of kind of everything that, you know, Doha and this part of the world kind of throws at you in terms of temperature and time changing and all that. But it's been, like I said, it's been good. You know, we're in a good position. Physically and mentally, guys are ready to go.
Is there anything about being here that surprised you that you weren't quite ready for?
No, I don't think so. I guess maybe the only kind of surprise is driving around and not seen too many people out on the on the sidewalks, and you know, I think that's just the product [Tim cut out here].
But as you know, as it goes down, you see more people.
Sorry, you cut out for a second there. I think just the last sentence of what you were saying is there's not that many people around.
Yeah, it's you know, we've been having a conversation driving to and from training about how we don't see too many people out kind of walking around and you know, just seeing the sights and you know, seeing everything that you know that we're staying has has to offer.
I think that's probably a product of the heat, but also a product that this is a very touristy destination in terms of people coming to see the games and and revel in the World Cup. So hopefully we start seeing a lot more people, you know, kind of be in and around the area and the streets, and enjoying everything that the World Cup has to offer.
It sounds like you guys your hotel is pretty secluded. You're like, on an island almost. Can you can you talk about that accommodation? Is it nice? Do you feel like you're in a fortress and separate from everything?
Yeah, it's very nice to be honest with you. Driving up it was kind of a surprise that we had our own kind of island and people that are not in the hotel, that we were pretty much the only ones here all week. We've not really seen anybody, but we do have our own kind of separate area. But I do know that more and more people are going to be coming in this weekend and supposedly the hotel is at full capacity.
US Soccer has done a really good job as they always do, of making sure that we're taken care of. We have everything that we need in terms of, you know, to be mentally prepared, physically prepared, and being able to recover with the short time in between games. So yeah, there's no complaints here about the hotel we're staying in, and they've done a good job of picking probably what could be the best hotel that was available.
Yeah, it sounds like that was the case. They got the first pick of that and the training facility, which also seems very nice. I know you guys usually have roommates when you're with the national team. Is that the case now, or have they given you kind of your separate space to think and get prepared?
Yeah, we have in the past have had roommates. But they've given everyone their own rooms this time around. I think it's good that you're not on top of each other and, getting in each other's way and it allows guys to come back to their rooms and decompress.
And, you know, we're gonna overthink, you know, just thinking about training sessions and what they need to do in games. And so I think it's nice to have your own space, especially when you know you're planning to be somewhere for so long and that's not being right on top of each other, in each other's hair and annoying each other as the days go on. It's great to have your own room, and almost feel like you can make it your own little home and unpack everything and then put it where you want it and not have to worry about, whoever else is in the room and what they want to do.
You mentioned annoying each other, and I have to ask. There's a fan favorite video editor named Watke. Are you familiar with his videos that he makes about the national team?,
I've not seen any of them, but I have heard a little bit about about them.
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