Tim Ream, the longtime captain and defender of the U.S. men’s national soccer team, has announced his retirement from international football.

Ream had previously told head coach Mauricio Pochettino that he did not intend to retire from national team duty, but said the team’s evolution and the changing nature of the game had led him to reconsider.

“The kids are getting younger and younger, and I don’t mean my own kids,” Ream said Tuesday before the United States played Chile in a friendly in his hometown.

“It is retirement. We’ve used the word recognition. We weren’t really sure how we wanted to label it, but, yeah, that’s it for me. I’m proud of being a part of something for 16 years, but it is time to step away and stay away from play with the national team.”

The 38-year-old Ream earned 86 international appearances after making his U.S. debut in a friendly against South Africa on Nov. 17, 2010.

Only DaMarcus Beasley has made more appearances for the United States than Ream’s 60 caps after turning 30.

Ream wore the captain’s armband in 26 matches, including four games at this year’s World Cup.

“It’s an honor, there’s not really any other way to put it,” Ream said.

He said one of his main goals after becoming captain more regularly was to help prepare the next generation of leaders.

“The biggest thing that I wanted to do as I started to get the captain’s armband more and more is, ‘How can I help these guys become the next captain? How can I help this group continue to develop and be more special than they are.’”

Ream said the future of the U.S. team looks promising, pointing to a young generation of players including 17-year-old Cavan Sullivan.

He said the emerging group reminded him of the period when current U.S. players Gio Reyna, Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie were breaking into the national team.

“The thing that stands out to me with them is the same thing that stood out when the Westons, the Tylers, the Gios, these guys stepped in to the national team,” Ream said.

“They have a ridiculous amount of confidence, and it’s refreshing. It borderlines being cocky, but I think you have to have that little bit of swagger. You have to have that belief in yourself. They’re still learning.”

Ream said he will continue playing for Major League Soccer club Charlotte FC, although he has yet to decide what he will do with his MLS career beyond that.