MOUNT VERNON, N.Y. - Westchester SC today announced 2022 U.S. Soccer Player of the Year, United States Men's National Team captain and current AFC Bournemouth star Tyler Adams has joined the club's ownership group. Adams, a New York Red Bulls Academy product and Dutchess County, N.Y. native, will become one of the first active professional players to take an ownership stake in a professional club and is expected to be involved in all aspects of Westchester SC's business operations when the club begins play this March. 

Adams is the second active professional athlete to join the Westchester SC ownership group. Current New York Jets quarterback Tyrod Taylor was and remains part of the originally announced core of owners. 

"This is a special day not just for our club, but for all of soccer and sport in the region," said Westchester SC principal owner Mitch Baruchowitz. "To have not only an elite athlete who was starred on the biggest stage, but someone whose family is deeply connected to developmental soccer in the region proactively join us at this stage of his career in a leadership position speaks volumes as to what we are building. We welcome Tyler and his family and look forward to having them with us as we head toward our inaugural season and beyond." 

"Westchester Soccer Club represents everything I value about the game—community, development and opportunity," said Adams. "Growing up in Dutchess County, I've seen firsthand how soccer can bring people together and inspire young players to dream big. Joining this ownership group is not only an honor but also an incredible chance to give back to the region that played such a huge role in my journey." 

Adams' professional playing career began in the USL Championship with New York Red Bulls II in 2015, where he helped the side claim the Players' Shield and Championship title during the 2016 season. From there, he went on to play for New York Red Bulls in MLS (2016-19), RB Leipzig in the German Bundesliga (2019-22), and Leeds United FC (2022-23) and AFC Bournemouth (2023-present) in the Premier League. 

Adams has also been a centerpiece for the USMNT since 2017, earning 42 caps and anchoring the team's return to the FIFA World Cup in 2022, where he was the youngest captain for the USMNT since 1950. 

Adams' connection to the USL and the local Westchester soccer community goes far beyond his playing roots. Adams and his stepfather, Darryl Sullivan, own local USL League Two team, Hudson Valley Hammers. Further, Adams' mother, Melissa Russo, would drive Adams three hours round trip from Wappingers Falls during his Red Bulls Academy days, and his stepbrothers, Dylan, Darryl Jr. and Donovan, all shone for local soccer teams. 

Initial discussions between Westchester SC and Adams and Sullivan focused on the importance of family, the unique bond that the Westchester region has to soccer, and how much it unites the diverse and unique neighborhoods throughout the region. As talks progressed between the parties, Baruchowitz and Westchester Sporting Director Simon Baines grew excited at the prospect of bringing one of the region's true soccer success stories and a family of local soccer prominence into the effort.