IRVINE, Calif. — Just like millions of people across America, half of the U.S. men’s national soccer team erupted in celebration when the New York Knicks completed their historic comeback in Game 4 of the NBA Finals.
More than a dozen U.S. players were gathered at their team hotel around a projector screen watching the final seconds of the game when OG Anunoby charged after Jalen Brunson’s three-pointer and tipped in the rebound to give the Knicks a 107-106 win.
Chaos ensued.
Less than 48 hours before the team’s World Cup opener — Friday at SoFi Stadium against Paraguay — midfielder Tyler Adams jumped over multiple couches. Defender Chris Richards, who hasn’t played in nearly a month due to an ankle injury but said Wednesday that he’s “ready” to play, leapt on top of a pile of players at the team’s hotel in Southern California.
Minutes later, U.S. Soccer posted a video of the team’s reaction to its social media accounts.
SOMEONE CHECK ON KNICKS FAN TYLER ADAMS https://t.co/ISvTYiYAie pic.twitter.com/2yy3qpec1S
— U.S. Soccer Men’s National Team (@USMNT) June 11, 2026
Fans commented with their fears watching some of the team’s best players pile up with, as one account put it, “limbs flying everywhere.” The X page of the American Outlaws, the supporters group for the U.S., posted a simple message that summed it up: “Heart stopped about 12 times watching this.”
Adams, a Knicks fan and native of Wappingers Falls, N.Y., leapt onto the back of the couch wearing oversized Nike sandals, his right foot sliding off of a cushion and through a space between two couches.
Adams fell toward goalkeeper and New Jersey native Matt Turner, who was filming the moment, and landed on his left leg before turning back to continue his celebration by climbing back over the couch and then back off of it again, his foot again perilously sliding through that space.
Adams then went to find a second couch to summit.
Brenden Aaronson, Antonee Robinson, Tim Weah, Auston Trusty, Joe Scally, Max Arfsten and a few other players were also present.
One player playfully tackled Scally on top of forward Haji Wright, who sat still on one corner of the couch while Aaronson shook his shoulders and Weah got a camera in his face. Wright, who looked displeased, is from Los Angeles and is a Lakers fan.
Tim Ream, 38, the team’s captain and elder statesman by a margin of nearly seven years, was sitting on a couch and simply leaned back in shock, with his hand over his mouth.
Team manager Sam Zapatka was also watching from the far end of the room, laughing at the celebration.
At the U.S. roster reveal last month in New York City, Adams talked about his Knicks fandom, only for longtime friend and teammate Weston McKennie to jokingly call him out in front of the press.
“Behind closed doors, he’s not a Knicks fan, just to let you guys know,” McKennie said.
Adams was incredulous.
“That’s a wild statement,” Adams retorted. “A wild statement, honestly.”
Wednesday night’s celebration may have ended any McKennie-caused doubts or speculation, even if it also caused a few moments of panic for USMNT fans across the country.
