U.S. men's national team and Charlotte FC defender Tim Ream remembers watching the 1994 FIFA World Cup as a 6-year-old. He's the only player on the current USMNT squad who can.

Driving the news: The World Cup kicks off June 11 and will be played across the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Why it matters: More Americans are tuning into soccer ahead of the sport's most prestigious tournament, with hopes that this summer will spark the kind of breakthrough interest the 1994 World Cup did the last time it was played on American soil.

State of play: 37% of people anticipate their interest in soccer will increase over the next 18 months, according to Nielsen data.

Context: Soccer was still foreign to many Americans in 1994. Now, people have local teams they support, or they've started watching leagues in other countries.

• Much has changed in the United States since the tournament took place here in 1994. Now there are several professional leagues for both men and women, more people are playing the game overall, and more ways to watch the sport than ever before.

Zoom in: Charlotte now has multiple professional teams: Charlotte FC (MLS), Carolina Ascent (Gainbridge Super League), Charlotte Independence (USL League One) and Crown Legacy (MLS Next Pro).

The intrigue: Charlotte is not a host city for the tournament, but the Scottish national team will train at Charlotte FC's facility during the tournament.

• Plus, the USMNT will play a sendoff match at Bank of America Stadium on May 31 at 3:30pm vs. Senegal.

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Tim Ream is a key part of the USMNT and Charlotte FC. We recently caught up with him about his morning routine.

⏰ He gets up around 5:30am.

🐶 First, he lets his family's six dogs out and feeds them.

☕ Then, he and his wife Kristen have a cup of drip coffee together before their three kids wake up.

🏫 He takes their kids to school.

⚽ Then, it's off to Charlotte FC training.

🥚 Ream's breakfast of choice is an omelet with cheese and/or vegetables, toast and a fruit smoothie.

The winners of the 2026 Blumey Awards were announced Sunday night, recognizing high school theater programs in the Charlotte area.

Why it matters: The winners for Best Actor and Best Actress will head to New York City to compete in the equivalent of the Tony Awards for high school, called the Jimmy Awards, on June 22.

• Plus, the Blumey Awards have produced stars, including Reneé Rapp and Eva Noblezada.

Catch up quick: Harold Garcia (North Lincoln) won Best Actor for his performance as Orpheus in "Hadestown Teen Edition." Anna Jernigan (Carmel Christian) won Best Actress for her portrayal of Ariel Moore in "Footloose."

Here are the rest of the winners:

• Best Musical (Tier 1) | Weddington | "Legally Blonde: The Musical"
• Best Musical (Tier 2) | North Lincoln | "Hadestown"
• Best Supporting Actor | Northwest School of the Arts (NWSA) | Wiley Seago | Basilius | "Head Over Heels"
• Best Supporting Actress | NWSA | Andie Jones | Gynecia | "Head Over Heels"
• Best Featured Performer | Weddington | Alexander Stetson | Dewy/Kyle/Grand Master Chad | "LegallyBlonde"
• Best Direction | North Lincoln | "Hadestown"
• Best Ensemble | Weddington | "Legally Blonde"
• Best Choreography Execution | North Lincoln | "Hadestown"
• Best Student Orchestra | Central Academy of Technology and Arts | "Pippin"
• Best Student Costume Designer | Cox Mill | Abigail Woerner | "Seussical"
• Best Student Set Designer | Catawba Ridge | David Archie | "Mamma Mia!"
• Best Student Stage Manager | NWSA | Spencer Angel | "Head Over Heels"
• Best Student Reporter | Catawba Ridge | Richard Hughes

🌀 The first Atlantic tropical weather outlook of the year was released Friday. Hurricane season begins June 1. (NOAA)

🗣 Terry Belk, a former NAACP leader, is calling on Corine Mack, current Charlotte-Mecklenburg chapter president, to dial back her rhetoric on who should be Charlotte's next mayor. (WBTV)

🏀 Charlotte Crown won their inaugural game 103-95 vs. Jacksonville. (Instagram)

⚽️ Carolina Ascent won their regular season finale 3-1, beating league leaders Sporting JAX. The teams will meet on May 24 in the playoffs. (Ascent)

⚽️ Charlotte FC beat Toronto 3-1. (Axios)

News you can use from our partners.

• Celebrate America's 250th at "American Revolution, The Augmented Exhibition" at the Charlotte Museum of History. Travel back in time and experience key historical events through AR and interactive 3D recreations. Plan your visit. 🇺🇸

There's plenty to do in Charlotte this week.

🔮 Monday: Head to an escape room that blends theater into the experience at Doors of Divergence. | Times vary | Prices vary | Details

🎭 Tuesday: See "The Notebook" in musical form at Belk Theater. | $46.58 | 7:30pm | Details

🥐 Wednesday: Attend the grand opening of Maman in Plaza Midwood. | 8am | Free to attend | Details

🏀 Thursday: See the Charlotte Crown, Charlotte's new pro women's basketball team, play their inaugural home game at Bojangles Coliseum. | $17.60+ | 7pm | Details

🍿 Friday: Watch "The Princess Diaries" at Seoul Food Mill District's outdoor movie night. | Free | 7:30pm | Details

American Airlines is adding flights for the upcoming NFL season.

Driving the news: For Carolina Panthers fans, that means a direct flight to Green Bay, Wisconsin for Thursday night football.

• The Packers host the Panthers at Lambeau Field on Oct. 29 at 8:15pm.

What to expect: The flight from Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) to Green Bay Austin Straubel International Airport (GRB) on Oct. 29. The return flight is Oct. 30.

Flashback: The Panthers beat the Packers 16-13 at Lambeau Field last November.