USMNT 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."

Still, 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.

"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.

The 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. 

The K-pop group hit the field for an electric performance of their song "Dynamite" during the World Cup final halftime show.

The couple was kickin' it in stylish shades while cheering on the teams during the World Cup final at New York New Jersey Stadium.

Don'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.

David 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.

The Emmy winner watched Spain take the gold on July 19 from inside the Casamigos suite at New York New Jersey Stadium.

The models were all smiles while catching the final game from Woody Johnson and Suzanne Johnson's suite.

Ahead of the World Cup final kickoff, The Odyssey actor posed with his wife on the gold carpet. 

The couple scored seats inside the Dove suite at the World Cup 2026 final July 19.

The 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.

The rapper and the tennis superstar hung out inside the Nike suite at the New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19.

The "Bloody Valentine" singer got tickets to the July 19 game thanks to Raising Cane's. 

The Dune star showed off his Spanish pride while posing on the FIFA Gold Carpet ahead of the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina.

The Pitch Perfect alum had an aca-awesome time watching the Spain vs. Argentina game from the Raising Cane's suite.

The Dune actor and Kardashians star shared a kiss while attending the World Cup final at New York New Jersey Stadium on July 19.

The Jumanji actor and the Grammy winner were all smiles as they hit the pitch at the final match. 

The Take That alum was kicking it during his performance at the closing ceremony on July 19.

The "Dirrty" singer performed in front of a packed crowd at the Michelob ULTRA Pitchside Club event in New York City.

One 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.

Get 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.

Love thy World Cup. The Love Thy Nader star stepped out at the Michelob ULTRA Pitchside Club event in New York City.

The Bachelor Nation stars had a rosy time at Jameson's House of GOAL party in New York City July 18.

The 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. 

David 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.

The "Tattoo" singer made his mark at Buchanan's Whisky's quarterfinals after-party in Miami.

The Marty Supreme star had a smashing time during the France vs. Spain game at Dallas Stadium on July 14.

From 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.

The "Bounce Back" rapper decided to hit up the Spain vs. Belgium game in his Nike tee.

The "Nasty" singer's got stamina as she watched the July 5 match with Marriott Bonvoy.