The report says the 17-year-old was presented with the Gatorade Best Female Player of the Year Award at the ESPY Awards, recognising a rise that has already placed her among the leading young players in the country.
Her connection with Ream runs deeper than admiration for a national-team captain. Both have St. Louis roots, while DiMaria’s father, Jeff, played collegiately at Saint Louis University - Ream’s alma mater. That shared background gave their conversation a natural starting point.
Ream has reportedly followed DiMaria’s progress since she became the first freshman to win the Gatorade National Soccer Player of the Year award.
“She has been on my radar a long time,” Ream said. “She is very impressive.”
DiMaria’s praise focused on the qualities that have made Ream a respected figure with the United States men’s national team: reliability, maturity and a willingness to serve others away from matchday.
“I’m super glad that I have such a good role model in that area,” DiMaria said.
That endorsement matters because Ream’s influence has extended beyond his role as a defender. His path through college soccer, club football and international leadership offers a valuable example for a player beginning to navigate the demands of a rapidly expanding profile.
Ream is expected to return to Charlotte FC after the 2026 World Cup, bringing his experience back to Major League Soccer. For DiMaria, the next challenge will be sustaining her momentum as attention and expectations grow.
Their interview offered a reminder that American soccer’s past, present and future can meet through shared roots - and that leadership is often measured as much by example as by results.