United States midfielder Tyler Adams said the "it's all or nothing" for the USMNT for qualifying for the 2022 World Cup -- if and when international play resumes.
"I really have to prepare myself that the next time I put on the U.S. jersey, it's all or nothing, there's no more preparation matches," Adams told ESPN's Taylor Twellman. "It's either you go out there and win or we're not going to another World Cup."
The RB Leipzig midfielder, who has returned to club action following the German Bundesliga's restart, added it's strange that his last action for the U.S. was in March 2019.
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"It's unbelievably odd. For me it's even more odd because I haven't played with the national team in a year. So now as I mentally prepare for it," Adams said.
The coronavirus pandemic has significantly altered the FIFA international calendar, with matches canceled or postponed for the March and June windows. CONCACAF president Victor Montagliani said in April that the qualifying format for the World Cup from the confederation may have to change due to the crisis.
Montagliani added that the September international window, which is scheduled to contain the first round of games in the World Cup qualifying competition, was in danger of being postponed, which could further complicate decisions about the format.
The U.S.'s clash against Honduras in the CONCACAF Nations League semifinals, originally scheduled for June, will also likely be postponed.
Adams added: "I think for a lot of guys it's going to be different because you might see guys get called into a [World Cup] qualifier that I've never been into camp [with] before, but you have to find a way to get your best players on the field, so it'll be interesting."
On the progress of the USMNT under manager Gregg Berhalter, Adams said the squad is still a "rebuilding process."
Adams has played in Leipzig's two matches since their return to league play, including Wednesday's 2-2 draw against Hertha Berlin. He had missed significant time this season following a series of injuries.