Minneapolis – The term "generational talent" has been thrown around a lot, and expectations have soared. The US men’s national team (USMNT) has been searching for a creative playmaker, and many saw Gio Reyna stepping into that role. He made waves at Borussia Dortmund before hitting 18, breaking several records previously held by Christian Pulisic and consistently appearing on lists of top young talents. By 2026, he was viewed as the potential leader for USMNT.
However, as the 2026 World Cup draws near, Reyna’s career appears to be stalled, making way for another young star born in 2002 who is now taking charge of the US attack: Malik Tillman.
In just about nine hours over the weekend, Tillman solidified his status as a key player for the USMNT. He played a crucial role in leading the team to a Gold Cup quarterfinal win and reportedly captured Bayer Leverkusen’s attention with a transfer agreement valued at over $40 million, likely making him the second most expensive American footballer, trailing only Pulisic.
At US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Tillman demonstrated his worth during the match against Costa Rica. While not flawless, he orchestrated the USMNT’s most potent plays, contributing to two goals and scoring a penalty (which he missed). He maneuvered adeptly across the pitch, exploiting spaces effectively when his teammates found him—a skill few American players possess. Some argue that, currently, only he and Reyna share this talent, with a nod to Pulisic.
Yet, Reyna has played less than 90 minutes in competitive action over the past year and only appeared briefly for US manager Mauricio Pochettino. Currently, he’s mostly cooling his heels on the Dortmund bench. Meanwhile, Tillman is on the rise.
Born in Germany to an American father, Tillman began his career in Bayern Munich’s academy, went on loan to Rangers, and recently starred at PSV Eindhoven. Despite missing a significant portion of the 2024-25 season due to injury, he caught Leverkusen’s eye, offering them an alternative to star Florian Wirtz. Although Tillman hadn’t made a name for himself with the senior team before this summer, he repaid Pochettino’s trust by stepping up during the Gold Cup.
He scored two goals in a dominant victory over Trinidad and Tobago, dazzled in a win against Haiti, and shone during a crucial match against Costa Rica. His complete skill set was on display for the full 90 minutes as he partnered effectively with Patrick Agyemang at the edge of the box. Though he started as a right winger, his playstyle allowed him to maneuver into spaces—called "half spaces"—between defenders and midfielders.
Despite sometimes feeling invisible as the US struggled to find him, a halftime video session led to adjustments that maximized his impact. Within minutes of the second half, he cleverly turned a pass from Chris Richards into a play leading to Max Arfsten’s first USMNT goal.
Tillman’s ability to contribute defensively has been underrated, with his pressing and positioning ranking him highly among offensive players in the Eredivisie. While he showed moments of vulnerability, particularly in conceding Costa Rica’s second goal, his contributions largely outweighed any flaws.
Among his best attributes is his intelligent off-ball movement, akin to Messi’s, finding spaces that create opportunities for teammates. Though different from Reyna, their competition for the attacking midfield position is shifting, with Tillman now absorbing responsibilities once thought to be Reyna’s.
How Tillman performs against stronger teams will test his readiness for top-level competition, as opponents like Colombia and clubs like RB Leipzig will present stiffer challenges. His success could hinge on chemistry with prominent US players like Pulisic and Weston McKennie, as questions loom over his place in Pochettino’s starting 11. Yet for now, excitement swells among USMNT fans as they see a potential solution to their No. 10 dilemma. "Malik is an incredible talent," Pochettino affirmed shortly after taking his position. While not necessarily a generational talent, as Pochettino said, he’s undoubtedly one of America’s brightest prospects.
Fan Take: This news is crucial for soccer enthusiasts as it signals a possible rejuvenation for the USMNT ahead of the World Cup. Malik Tillman’s rise could spell a new era of American talent, fostering hope for more competitive performances on the global stage.
