Adams draws Knicks inspiration as USMNT prepares for World Cup opener

US men’s national team midfielder Tyler Adams has channelled the New York Knicks’ improbable NBA Finals run into motivation for the USMNT’s upcoming World Cup campaign. Two nights before the team’s tournament opener against Paraguay, Adams and his teammates watched from the team hotel in Irvine, California, as the Knicks completed a 29-game comeback against the San Antonio Spurs.

The victory, which places the Knicks one game away from their first championship in more than five decades, sparked a chaotic celebration within the squad. Adams, a New York native, admitted he "blacked out" during the climax of the match. The intensity of the moment raised concerns among teammates regarding his physical condition, though he arrived for Thursday’s final training session in Irvine unharmed and participated fully.

Adams has followed the Knicks’ progress closely since the USMNT roster reveal on May 26. He noted that he and his friends from home have "never been this close" to a title, describing the franchise as a "long-suffering" fanbase. This underdog status resonates with the national team as they prepare to host the tournament on home soil.

"There’s a handful of haters in the group," Adams said, identifying Philadelphia Union academy product Brenden Aaronson, a Sixers fan, and Haji Wright as sceptics within the squad. He dismissed teammate Weston McKennie’s earlier claim that Adams is not a genuine Knicks fan as a "wild statement," while embracing the internal rivalry as positive energy.

The USMNT’s group stage schedule begins on Friday at SoFi Stadium against Paraguay. The team will then face Australia on June 19 and Turkiye on June 25. Adams stated he takes inspiration from the Knicks’ captivation of the public, hoping the national team can similarly capture the nation’s attention during the tournament.