Tillman Leads the Way for PSV
Malik Tillman's impactful start to the Eredivisie season continued Sunday as PSV remained unbeaten. Tillman scored twice in a 3-1 road victory over Fortuna Sittard, giving PSV its sixth-consecutive league win to begin the 2024-25 season. The U.S. men’s national team midfielder earned SBI Americans Abroad Player of the Week honors for his strong performance.
Tillman opened the scoring in the 16th minute after delivering a top-shelf finish for a 1-0 advantage. Although Fortuna Sittard tied the match before halftime, Tillman called his own number again for the go-ahead goal. His right-footed free kick found the top-left corner for a 2-1 PSV lead.
Luuk De Jong capped the final score at 3-1, giving PSV 18 points to begin the new league campaign.
Tillman led all players in duels won (8), tackles completed (3), dribbles completed (3), and chances created (3). The 22-year-old now has four goals and one assist in six league outings so far this summer.
Other USMNT Standouts
Folarin Balogun answered the call for AS Monaco on Sunday. Balogun iced a 3-1 Ligue 1 victory over Le Havre by scoring his first goal of the season. The USMNT striker hadn’t scored at club level since last March, but delivered a confident strike to wrap up three points and a fourth league win for Monaco this summer.
Brenden Aaronson continued to make things happen for Leeds United on Saturday. Aaronson set up Joel Piroe’s insurance finish as Leeds United defeated Cardiff City 2-0. The USMNT midfielder picked up possession before playing Piroe upfield for a confident finish. Aaronson has certainly made a positive impression since his return to Yorkshire this summer.
Christian Pulisic’s hot run with AC Milan continued Sunday in a huge derby win. Pulisic scored his third Serie A goal of the season as the Rossoneri defeated rivals Inter 2-1 at the San Siro. The 26-year-old has been one of AC Milan’s most important players so far, scoring four goals in total.
Now tied with Inter on eight points apiece, Paulo Fonseca will hope Pulisic can continue his strong run of form.
Antonee Robinson delivered his latest solid shift for Fulham this past weekend. Robinson logged 90 minutes at left back as the Cottagers defeated Newcastle United 3-1 at home. The USMNT defender completed 81% of his passes, won three of four duels, and made three clearances as Marco Silva’s squad claimed an important three points.
Tillman's Rise and the USMNT
Tillman’s impressive form for PSV has fueled discussions about his potential role within the USMNT. Some fans and analysts have questioned whether Tillman has found a higher level of confidence and consistency with his club than he has displayed with the national team. This leads to interesting points of discussion about how club environments can shape a player's performance. While the Eredivisie might not be considered as high-level as other European leagues, PSV's style of play and dominant possession allows players like Tillman to flourish in a more controlled and creative environment. This could potentially be a contributing factor to Tillman’s success for PSV.
It's important to remember that every player's journey is unique. There's no guarantee that Tillman will translate his club success to the national team, but his recent form certainly gives fans and coaches reason for optimism. The upcoming international break could offer Tillman a chance to showcase his abilities on the international stage and demonstrate his readiness for a more prominent role with the USMNT.
Looking Ahead
As the European leagues continue, eyes will be on Tillman and other USMNT players abroad to see how they fare. The performances of these players will have a significant impact on the USMNT’s prospects for future competitions. Keep an eye on Tillman's progress and see if his confidence and success in the Eredivisie can translate to the USMNT.
