Malik really created that goal starting with his high intensity defensive press see starting at 6:40. As we saw the combination of Tillman, Balo, Weah, and McKennie combining and playing off each other could be very special for the US.
One would not have had the same level of success without the other. Their chemistry together was the most encouraging development we have seen from the US team in some time.
Tillman continues to get buzz with SI calling him the key to the US WC success. https://www.si.com/soccer/why-malik-tillman-is-usmnts-key-to-success-at-2026-world-cup-digital-cover
I’ll buy that, because he’s emerging as the key variable to implementing Poch’s ideas well. He contributes intelligence the final third + technical ability + pressing ability up high that ties it all together. I’d say our #9’s form is THE key to success, but that’s an obvious cliche, right?
The most difficult, most effective and rare attacking play is intricate combination play in and around the box. Tillman is good at literally everything a midfielder can be good at, but this specific element is where he is great.
The interviewer, despite his giggling strangeness making Tillman nearly squirm out of his seat at times, had some good questions. Tillman came across as a serious guy. Some interesting notes: - Tillman underscored the importance of the Gold Cup, in particular the importance of having the time with Pochettino and other players who were there. - Tillman chose the US because he felt he had a better opportunity with the US and that the US had already helped develop him into a better player. - Tillman thinks that the US has a good long-term outlook to be competitive. The more time Pulisic misses, the more his Gold Cup absence is solidified as a mistake because of the missed opportunity to get on the same page with both Malik and Pochettino.
I didn’t realize that Tillman created 6 chances against Ecuador, a top defensive squad who had a target on his back. A guy who can do that and contribute defensively is really, really valuable.
You could blame the first goal on a distracted opponent, but the strike on the second was pure skill.
And he kept hustling in the first one. Lots of people in that situation don’t really complete that kind of challenge.
It was more like stalking than hustling. Tillmann just glided up behind the goalie, and then pounced when he showed a moment of distraction. I wonder if he ever exceeded Reyna’s top sprinting speed.
Highlights. First match in the last 5 or 6 where he got a few decent looks around the box! Tillman and Maza at AM may be the best combo for Leverkusen even though Poku has more flatout speed to teat an opponent's back line.
It’s a Champions League brace lol only… checks notes.. one other American has ever done that.. hold the phone… that other American was also Malik Tillman.
Malik is the only U.S. player to have ever done it. Pepi however is tied for third all time in total CL goals with 6. Which is wild considering he came off the bench for most. Hes tied with Tillman of course. Behind Wes and CP respectively.
Yes, Tillman just moved past Beasley with his brace this week. Pushes Beasley down to 5th all-time in Champions League goals. [The counting, by the way, depends on whether you count the qualifying rounds. Some sites do and some don't.] There are old timers like me who remember Beasley holding this Champions League mark for quite some time. We remember how big of a deal it was at the time for Beasley to play in a Champions League semifinal. That was NOT a thing Americans did. And PSV lost to MIlan on the away goals rule in that series. Beasley was the leading scorer for PSV in that Champions League campaign. [Yes, Kirovski won the Champions League. He was a bit player on that Dortmund team, though.] Yes, I'll march both ways in the snow to get up on my soapbox and proclaim: KIds today don't know how good the pre-injury DeMarcus Beasley was!!!