MLS Player Tim Ream Shares How Parenthood Influenced Team Captain Role

BTS, Justin Bieber, Shakira & More Perform at the First-Ever World Cup Halftime ShowUSMNT player Tim Ream nailed his goal of being a successful team captain thanks to his three kids. The Charlotte FC defender—who captained the U.S. team during the FIFA World Cup 2026—scored tips on leadership from being a dad to Aidan, 12, Theodore, 10 and Lilia, 7, shared with wife Kristen Sapienza. "Parenting has definitely influenced me being a captain, that’s for sure," Ream exclusively told E! News' The Rundown’s Erin Lim Rhodes at MLS 2026 All-Star Week. "I joke that a lot of those guys are closer in age to my oldest than they are to me, so I definitely feel like I have learned a lot more as a parent to be able to captain those guys." In fact, the #MLSAllStar—set to play the Liga MX team in the July 29 match presented by Chime—noted how his brood's transformation into superfans has made his recent seasons in the league (after 16 years as a pro) even more special."Playing-wise, they're not interested in it, but they are full supporters," Ream detailed. "At all times, they want to watch every game, they want to talk about every player, every goal, every pass. It’s interesting how big of a fan they have become over the last couple of years." And though his kids have become "fully ingrained in fandom," Ream doesn't let their love for the game turn into pressure on the pitch. As he put it, "We tried to do our best to keep those two areas separate: family life to playing life."Photo by Henry Rodenburg/Icon Sportswire via Getty ImagesStill, the 38-year-old admitted keeping his home life separate from work isn't always possible, which comes with pros as well as cons. "It’s harder and harder as they get older and older because they want to talk about every play that happens in a game," Ream confessed, conceding, “There’s a little more pride knowing I’ve been able to play as long as I have and that they’ve been a part of it." Aside from making his family proud in stadiums around the world, Ream found major wins throughout the "ride" that was the FIFA tournament, even if the U.S. didn't walk home with the 2026 title.Photo by Xu Chang/Xinhua via Getty Images"There are 47 teams that don’t go on to win the World Cup. You end up replaying every game in your head multiple times in the weeks after it ends," Ream explained. "But also you get flashes and glimpses of all the great things that happened during it. All the memories that you created, all the connections you made with fans and friends and family and the different cities." Keep reading to relive World Cup 2026 through celebrities' eyes. Maddie Meyer - FIFA/FIFA via Getty ImagesShakiraThe Colombian singer had the crowd on their feet while performing her hit "Dai Dai" during the first-ever World Cup halftime show at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19. Tom Weller/picture alliance via Getty ImagesBTSThe K-pop group hit the field for an electric performance of their song "Dynamite" during the World Cup final halftime show.CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP via Getty ImagesBeyonce & Jay-ZThe couple was kickin' it in stylish shades while cheering on the teams during the World Cup final at New York New Jersey Stadium.Courtesy of Raising Cane’sFlorence PughDon't worry, darling—the actress caught all the action from the Raising Cane's suite during the World Cup 2026 final at the New York New Jersey Stadium.CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP via Getty ImagesTom Cruise &The BeckhamsDavid Beckham and his wife Victoria Beckham watched the World Cup final match between Argentina and Spain with their kids Romeo Beckham and Cruz Beckham, along with Tom Cruise, on July 19.Mike Stobe/Getty Images for CasamigosJulia GarnerThe Emmy winner watched Spain take the gold on July 19 from inside the Casamigos suite at New York New Jersey Stadium.Thomas Agudo Karlie Kloss & Ashley GrahamThe models were all smiles while catching the final game from Woody Johnson and Suzanne Johnson's suite.Arturo Holmes - FIFA/FIFA via Getty ImagesMatt Damon & Luciana Barroso DamonAhead of the World Cup final kickoff, The Odyssey actor posed with his wife on the gold carpet. Jordan Bank/Getty Images for FIFACiara & Russell WilsonThe couple scored seats inside the Dove suite at the World Cup 2026 final July 19.Arturo Holmes - FIFA/FIFA via Getty ImagesKevin Hart & Eniko HartThe comedian and his wife stepped out for the soccer game of the year, making an appearance at the World Cup final match at New York New Jersey Stadium.Courtesy of NikeDrake & Carlos AlcarazThe rapper and the tennis superstar hung out inside the Nike suite at the New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19.Courtesy of Raising Cane’sMGKThe "Bloody Valentine" singer got tickets to the July 19 game thanks to Raising Cane's. Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Global CitizenJavier BardemThe Dune star showed off his Spanish pride while posing on the FIFA Gold Carpet ahead of the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina.Courtesy of Raising Cane’sAnna KendrickThe Pitch Perfect alum had an aca-awesome time watching the Spain vs. Argentina game from the Raising Cane's suite.FRANCK FIFE / AFP via Getty ImagesTimothée Chalamet & Kylie JennerThe Dune actor and Kardashians star shared a kiss while attending the World Cup final at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19.Alex Pantling - FIFA/FIFA via Getty ImagesKevin Hart & ShakiraThe Jumanji actor and the Grammy winner were all smiles as they hit the pitch at the final match. GSI/Icon Sport via Getty ImagesRobbie WilliamsThe Take That alum was kicking it during his performance at the closing ceremony on July 19.Courtesy of Michelob ULTRA Christina AguileraThe "Dirrty" singer performed in front of a packed crowd at the Michelob ULTRA Pitchside Club event in New York City.Steve Eicher/Backgrid Teyana TaylorOne game after another. The actress attended a Tequila Don Julio 1942 Port of Champions x Palm Tree Crew and Mary Lou’s event presented by VISA CashApp.Courtesy of Raising Cane’sTate McRae, Todd Graves & Alix EarleGet ready for the World Cup final. The singer and the TikToker hung out with the Raising Cane's CEO at a pre-match party at Zero Bond in New York City July 18.Courtesy of Michelob ULTRA Brooks NaderLove thy World Cup. The Love Thy Nader star stepped out at the Michelob ULTRA Pitchside Club event in New York City.Michael Simon/Getty Images for JamesonGiannina Gibelli & Blake HorstmannThe Bachelor Nation stars had a rosy time at Jameson's House of GOAL party in New York City July 18.UTV AgencyIssa RaeThe Insecure alum was anything but as she spoke at the Tequila Don Julio 1942 Port of Champions x OffBall panel celebrating FIFA World Cup 2026 on July 17. Deonté Lee/BFA.com/ShutterstockRomeo Beckham & StarinoDavid Beckham and Victoria Beckham's son hung out with the designer at Tequila Don Julio 1942's Port of Champions party celebrating the final week of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.Seth Browarnik/WorldRedEyeRauw AlejandroThe "Tattoo" singer made his mark at Buchanan's Whisky's quarterfinals after-party in Miami.Jean Catuffe/Getty ImagesTimothée ChalametThe Marty Supreme star had a smashing time during the France vs. Spain game at Dallas Stadium on July 14.Courtesy of SoFiSimone AshleyFrom the Ton to the pitch. The Bridgerton actress caught the Spain vs. Belgium game from inside the SoFi suite at Los Angeles Stadium July 10.Jason Sean Weiss/BFA.com/ShutterstockBig SeanThe "Bounce Back" rapper decided to hit up the Spain vs. Belgium game in his Nike tee.ETIENNE LAURENT / AFP via Getty ImagesInes de Ramon & Brad Pitt The couple did date night at the July 10 match.Getty Images for FIFA TinasheThe "Nasty" singer's got stamina as she watched the July 5 match with Marriott Bonvoy.For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App