Malik Tillman and Gio Reyna are both 23 years old and play as attacking midfielders in the Bundesliga. Throughout their careers, they have seen the fortunes of the U.S. national team fluctuate dramatically. With their sights set on the World Cup, both have ambitious goals.
As they prepare under coach Mauricio Pochettino, the clock is ticking with fewer than four months left to finalize the roster, driving Tillman and Reyna onto different paths.
Recently, Tillman shone in Bayer Leverkusen’s 3-1 victory against Eintracht Frankfurt, scoring right after netting two goals in the UEFA Champions League. In contrast, Reyna has faced challenges, missing two weekends with a muscle injury and only seeing the field for 26 minutes since the Bundesliga resumed after its winter break.
This period is crucial for players vying for World Cup spots. It’s not just about securing playing time; they must also deliver strong performances. Pochettino and his team are closely observing their developments.
In six weeks, Pochettino will select the squad for notable friendlies against Belgium and Portugal in Atlanta, which will be the final practice before revealing the 26-man World Cup roster in late May.
Both players are likely to be available this summer. Tillman’s current excellent form bodes well for the national team, while Reyna has shown promise in his recent return to the U.S. program last November.
Injuries and limited playing time have hampered Gio Reyna’s progress at Borussia Mönchengladbach.
(Rene Nijhuis/MB MEDIA, Getty Images)
Of course, Pochettino is eager to see both players at their best ahead of the World Cup. So far, Tillman has been the only one starting to hit his stride.
About Reyna, Pochettino remarked: “He hasn’t had the consistent playing time we anticipated, but he came back to us in November and performed admirably. It’s a similar scenario with him, and we are considering both players for selections in March and for the World Cup.”
Throughout the weekend, Tillman displayed confidence and scored his fourth goal in the Bundesliga, making it his sixth overall this season in just the 33rd minute.
During his first season with Leverkusen, Tillman faced a setback due to a hamstring injury in the fall, and after an issue at a U.S. camp in October, he was withdrawn from the national team in November. Since his return, he has started in 11 matches across all competitions, including Wednesday’s Champions League game against Villarreal.
“It’s time to start scoring goals more frequently,” Tillman stated.
On the other hand, Reyna has struggled to make an impact at Mönchengladbach, only starting four of his last eight matches since the U.S. camp last November. Overall, he has played 13 Bundesliga games, logging 399 minutes without scoring or assisting.
Meanwhile, in other Bundesliga news, center-back Noah Okai made his 14th start in four months after returning from a yellow card suspension, playing the full match in Augsburg’s 2-1 comeback win over St. Pauli. Midfielder James Sands witnessed St. Pauli extend their winless streak to six games.
Wingback Joe Scally played 84 minutes in Mönchengladbach’s 1-1 draw with Werder Bremen. Forward Damion Downs missed Hamburg’s 2-2 draw against Bayern Munich due to a calf injury, while left winger John Tolkien made his 18th start in Holstein Kiel’s 2-1 home loss against Greuther Fürth.
In England, forward Patrick Agyeman had a standout season with Derby County, scoring a header in a 5-0 victory over Bristol City and is now the second-highest scorer on the team. The Rams, currently in seventh, are closely chasing a playoff spot.
On the opposite end, Coventry City forward Haji Wright faced disappointment after losing to Queens Park Rangers, while Middlesbrough’s Aidan Morris helped secure a win against Norwich. Meanwhile, defender Anthony Robinson came off the bench in Fulham’s close 3-2 defeat to Manchester United.
Crystal Palace’s center-back Chris Richards played his 20th Premier League match in a 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest, and Leeds’ midfielder Brenden Aaronson made his 17th start against Arsenal, where they suffered a heavy defeat.
In Italy, midfielder Weston McKennie has showcased considerable talent, scoring during Juventus’ 4-1 win against Parma. His performance has been pivotal as Juventus remains competitive in Serie A.
Conversely, Yunus Musah didn’t play in Atalanta’s recent match, which adds to his season of limited involvement in Serie A, while Christian Pulisic is preparing to return to action with AC Milan.
In France, striker Folarin Balogun contributed an assist in Monaco’s commanding win over Rennes, and winger Tim Weah was part of a thrilling draw against Marseille.
In Spain, midfielder Johnny Cardoso continued to feature prominently for Atletico Madrid, while Alex Freeman made his return to the pitch but did not play in the match against Villarreal.
Lastly, in the Netherlands, right-back Serginho Dest was instrumental in PSV Eindhoven’s win over Feyenoord, maintaining their leading position in the Eredivisie, while center-back Auston Trustee had to sit out due to suspension in Scotland.
In Mexico, winger Alex Zendejas returned to practice but will not be in the matchday squad for Club America.
Fan Take: The rising performance levels of players like Malik Tillman are crucial as we approach the World Cup, indicating a potential resurgence for the U.S. national team. For fans, watching how these athletes handle pressure during this pivotal time can shape the future of soccer in the country and ignite greater enthusiasm in the sport.
