“I think we are hungrier to win this year”: Emeri Adames continues to carve her path forward for club and country

At just 20 years old, Emeri Adames has cemented herself as a rising star for club and country – but the path to get there was anything but simple.

The Dallas native signed with the Reign in March 2024, just ahead of the regular season, as the club’s first-ever U-18 signing. Traversing a completely new landscape, she has y forged her own path as a professional soccer player while blazing a trail for the next generation.

“I’ve definitely grown up since being with the Reign,” shared Adames. “I was 17 when I came here and had never lived anywhere except Dallas and now I’m 20. Even moving across the country came with its own challenges, but I feel like I’ve grown so much and I love it.”

The comradery with her teammates has been critical for Adames, who has settled into the city of Seattle off the pitch. She has found comfort in classic Seattle activities, like daytrips to Bainbridge Island and Gasworks Park, as well as playing with dogs at Resilient Hearts Animal Sanctuary – another recommendation from her teammates.

On the pitch, Adames has built a name for herself, playing a variety of roles through her three-year tenure with Reign FC. Now in her third NWSL season, Adames has made a total of 22 starts in 58 appearances. She has tallied seven goals and two assists, making history nearly every step of the way.

“On the field, this team asks so many different things of me offensively and defensively. I'm definitely more vocal now, doing film and on the field too. I’m not afraid to ask for what I need now and talk to people and have more adult, difficult conversations. I also feel like I’ve had the chance to play in different positions and in different formations that was all so special and valuable for me to learn at such a young age and then to be trusted to keep going forward and growing here.”

In 2025, she scored a single-season career best six goals to tie Reign OG Jess Fishlock for the most goals on the team that season. She also became the youngest player in club history to record a brace when she put the cherry on top of Reign FC’s 4-1 win over Utah.

Her six goals also tied the NWSL record for most goals scored by a teenager in a single season, etching Adames’ name in the league history book alongside Mallory Swanson (2017), Trinity Rodman (2021), Jaedyn Shaw (2023) and Sam Kerr (2013).

“It was very surreal. I feel like people use the word loosely a lot, but I think this was surreal. I couldn’t believe I was grouped with all of those players. When I learned the names of the players, the caliber, I was really in shock. To achieve the same thing, even if it’s just a stat, was pretty crazy.”

As she continues to push herself further and reach new heights, her endeavors earned her a spot on Vicky Jepsen’s U-20 FIFA Women’s World Cup roster. Despite her young age, Adames has the most U-20 experience of any player on the World Cup roster. She previously competed at the 2024 U-20 World Cup in Colombia, where she started in all seven matches and recorded a team-high four assists.

“Last World Cup, I was playing so many years up, so it was a bit unexpected,” said Adames. “This World Cup is special in a different way. I have a bit of a different role because I’m more of a leader now.”

The United States had a shaky start in the group stage of the World Cup in Poland, falling 2-1 to Italy and drawing 2-2 against Japan before securing a 9-0 victory over New Zealand that ultimately led the team to advancing to the Round of 16.

The squad now eyes a matchup with Brazil, a fierce but familiar competitor – and Adames is at the helm of the team. She had a stellar group stage showing, starting in all three matches. She has scored one goal and added three assists in her 225 minutes, including the assist on the United States’ first goal of the tournament.

"The Reign prepares me for [the national team], because I'm in every situation possible. I come in in all different parts of the game, all different scorelines, when we're trying to defend different types of ways. And everyday training is so competitive. The girls I'm training against make it so hard and that prepares me for everything.”

“But playing for [the U-20 team] is definitely different because they put me in all different positions, but I actually think it's a good thing because then I just get more variety and like I said, when I'm at the Reign, it's so competitive. Then, I go to the national team and I use those skills I learned in a different role. It’s been cool because I can use it from more of a leadership position and to help other people.”

Though it’s likely too soon to be discussing the legacy of a 20 year old, it’s clear that Adames has been at the forefront of creating a sustainable system for young players to thrive in Seattle. The last three years have brought unmatched growth for the attacker, and she pays it forward every chance she gets.

“As we have more young players come in to train with the team, it feels really special because I relate to them. I’m always cheering them on, especially if they are a little nervous or something. Even just talking to them really helps. A lot of people on our team never had to be the young player coming into training and it can be super scary. You're so nervous and you don’t want to stop on anyone’s toes. I try to make sure it’s something can enjoy and let them know they are doing a good job or specifically reassure them on what to do.”

Adames is with the U-20's through the end of their World Cup run, but is looking forward to hitting the ground running when she returns to Seattle. She, along with the entire Reign squad, have set some lofty goals for this season, beginning with securing a coveted spot in the NWSL playoffs.

“I think we are hungrier to win this year, and you can feel that in the locker room. We are willing to do whatever it takes to win.”

Catch the U-20 United States squad and Reign FC in action this Wednesday, September 16. Starting the morning bright and early, the United States takes on Brazil at 6:00 a.m. PT. Fans can tune in to the match on FS2 and Universo.

Then, at 7:00 p.m. PT, the Reign take on Angel City FC from BMO Stadium in Los Angeles, California. Fans can tune in to the match on NWSL+, FOX 13+ or 950 KJR AM.

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