USMNT star hit with post-Copa America heartbreak as surgery announced

USMNT and Bournemouth star Tyler Adams is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines , with the midfielder undergoing back surgery.

Adams had problems with his back dating back towards the end of the 2023/24 Premier League season. However, the 25-year-old decided to play through the pain and play for the USMNT in the Copa America held in his home country.

"He finished the season with an injury in his back," Cherries manager Andoni Iraola said. "He wanted to play Copa América because it was very important for him, but he had restrictions and was still in pain, so two days after they were knocked out, he had surgery."

A return date isn't in sight for Adams - a huge blow to Bournemouth, who enjoyed a standout campaign under Iraola last season. "It is difficult to say how long but he won't be fit for the start of the season. But September? October? I don't know," Iraola added.

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In an interview with ESPN in June, prior to the Brazil friendly, Adams admitted that his back was an issue heading into the Copa America. So much so that the USMNT had to put him on a minutes restriction to manage it.

"It was my back at the end of the season," Adams said. "But I felt good coming into camp and ready to train, but they were like, 'No, no, no, let's just build it up properly.'

"Because again, the most important thing for me is obviously to have a good Copa America, but to get into preseason ready to go. I just want to get in a fit place where I can have an eight-, nine-, 10-week buildup into the start of the season and be in a really good place to become robust again."

The USMNT played out a disappointing campaign on home soil. They were knocked out of the competition in the group stages, finishing third behind Uruguay and Panama. Meanwhile, Canada managed to reach the semi-finals of the tournament.

In the end, it was reigning champions Argentina who retained their crown, winning the last three major tournaments in a row. Lionel Messi captained his country to another major trophy in his new home city, Miami, where he has been playing for Inter Miami since last year.

However, Argentina's win has been marred with controversy, with celebrations involving a racist chant aimed towards 2022 World Cup final foes, France. Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez was at the center of the storm and he has since apologized.