Rood-Witten (& Blau) Malik Tillman at PSV America (olf Bayern Munich)

He got in for some mop-up minutes as PSV won handily after a rough start.

 

PSV decided "let's make everyone go to WhatsApp to see the full lineup" --



He starts.

The match is on ESPN+.

 

Just caught the last 25 minutes or so of the first half for PSV. Boy, Tillman‘s touches look really sharp. He is seeing the game at high speed, and all his movements and touches seem so economical.

 

Started:



Down 2-0 at the half.

 

Love that even when he is misfiring he still gives great defensive effort and is a ball-winning machine. Would love to see the same intensity with the national team.

 

Johnny and Tillman translating their club form for the USMNT will be huge.

 

Ledezma got the hook at minute 26. He was just not strong or fast enough against Feyenoord's wingers

 

PSV won 3-2 on a late goal. One point behind Ajax with 2 matches to go.

 

Big relevance of the comeback win means PSV are in Champions League next season. Also Ajax lost so league title is in play.

 

Good night for Malik as PSV shoots to smash & grab the title:

MALIK TILLMAN!!!!!!#PSVHER 1-0 pic.twitter.com/ivAGhYhQYM

— PSV (@PSV) May 14, 2025

WHAT A GOAL MALIK! #PSVHER 4-0 pic.twitter.com/WgTzd0fRzn

— PSV (@PSV) May 14, 2025

Up 4-1 in the 88th.

 

Scored the team's 100th league goal this season:

⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️ pic.twitter.com/cjaqq6UDoI

— PSV (@PSV) May 14, 2025

 

Is it me, or did PSV's season really turn around with Tillman's return from injury? 6-0 since his return to the starting lineup.

 

MVP

 

PSV took first place today

 

The stats are pretty clear - they fell off the boil when he got hurt and bubbled back up when he came back. I know some folks around here don't see it, but he's a real player and is refining the impact and efficiency of his game every outing.

 

Ajax gave away 1st place today...

but the result is the same.

 

is there a player other than Malik with a bigger difference in performance for club and national team?

I kinda think being able to do it for a team like PSV should mean that he would be an asset for USMNT....but he hasnt at all

Maybe I need to dial down my esteem of PSV and the eredivisie

 

During the time he was injured

PSV dropped 12 possible points from the time he was injured to when to came back to the starting lineup.

 

Lol. the dude is 22, has less than half a dozen sr. USMNT starts...

He's a baller. He's not Messi. He will not carry a team on his back, yet, but the clear statistical portrait of his impact - simply reflects in data what coaches from Bosz to van Bronckhorst and Beale back to Munich staff and fellow players have said about him.

He keeps working to minimize his desire to show-boat and concentrate on goal-creating efficiency. He will most certainly have to up his defensive workrate at some point - few teams in more competitive leagues have the defensive advantage (in most games) of a PSV, or even Gers - unless he really makes himself an un-sittable attacking asset. But barring injury or some sudden eruption of a personality issue I haven't seen yet (lateness to team meetings aside - lol) he's going to be a big 5 regular someplace and one of our more productive, an consistent, attacking players.

 

It's the wrong forum so perhaps we will be told to move it elsewhere.... but I can certainly see where Tash is coming from. He has been consistently good for PSV even when playing in Euro Tournaments against better competition. He also seems to show a willingness to hustle/tackle for PSV that I have not seen much of for the USMNT. Heck... he had 2/1/ G/A in the first half today and then played very well as a single 6 deep lying playmaker.... could have had a couple of class assists in the 2nd half. He has not played that many minutes for his country but he has been head-scratchingly bad in most of those minutes. It is strange. But I do agree w/ you overall.... he is still quite young and I think he is just finding himself as a pro. I expect him to up his game for the USMNT in the near future and I also think there will be plenty of clubs this summer willing to pay big-time for his services. His ceiling is sky-high.

 

My opinion is the issue is less the tool than how it is being used - and that, given that he was "raised" in the German system, there's the possibility of a longer adjustment period. But I also think MT has shown to be a bit of a slow starter, which is not surprising given his age. He took a half season to adapt to the SPL, and fan-pundit reviews early in his PSV were more skeptical than the coaching statements, which were very positive pretty much from the jump.

But the proof will be in the pudding, all in due time. I'm pretty confident in my opinion here, but I've been wrong before so we'll see.

 

He's one of the most talented Americans playing, full stop. He's had a good season and will have a great career and will be playing at the highest levels for the next decade. He's very, very talented. If he can get a good run if minutes, with some familiar faces, he will show his worth with any team, at any level.

 

Big difference comparing the impact of Brenden vs. Tillman for their clubs. Both play for dominant clubs in their respective leagues but their impact has been different. Brenden is like Ledezma the beneficiary vs. Tillman the benefactor.

 

But he also had 2x MotM and great stats in the Champions League before his injury. But maybe you want to dial down your esteem of the CL as well?