Malik Tillman emerges as USMNT's Gold Cup breakout star | OneFootball

Malik Tillman was on the score sheet again as the USMNT battled to a 2-1 victory over a determined but struggling Haiti side in their 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup group stage finale on Sunday.

The PSV midfielder continued his standout tournament by opening the scoring in the 10th minute, calmly heading Brenden Aaronson's cross past Haiti's 'keeper Johny Placide.

In tournament football, opportunities often emerge when least expected, and Malik Tillman is making the most of his. With USMNT stalwarts Christian Pulisic, Tim Weah and Ricardo Pepi missing from the current tournament squad, the attacking mantle was up for grabs. Enter Tillman, a 23-year-old PSV Eindhoven playmaker who’s proving he may be more than just the next man up. He may be that guy.

Tillman’s rise hasn’t been sudden. The Bayern Munich academy product and current PSV standout has been steadily climbing the ranks, making his mark in both Europe and for the U.S. national team. But this tournament is rapidly becoming his international breakout party.

United States v Haiti - Gold Cup 2025 | John Dorton/ISI Photos/USSF/GettyImages

A New Creative Engine

Without Pulisic on the left, Weah flying down the right and Pepi pressing centrally, the U.S. attack could have easily stagnated. Instead, Tillman has provided a much-needed jolt. Slotting in as a free-roaming attacker — sometimes out wide, sometimes tucked into the half-space — he’s been integral to linking midfield and attack.

What’s most notable about Tillman’s performances so far is his composure in tight areas. Whether under pressure from physical defenders or operating in crowded midfield zones, he’s maintained remarkable control. His ability to receive on the half-turn, create separation with quick touches, and deliver precise passes has opened up games.

In the opening three matches, he has so far banged in three goals, more than any other player on the pitch. But it was his intent that stood out. With every touch, there was ambition: a clever flick, a sudden acceleration, a perfectly weighted through-ball. These are the moments that change the game and Tillman is delivering them.

Confidence Breeds Leadership

This tournament marks a critical stage in Tillman’s evolution from promising prospect to dependable presence. While Captain Tim Ream anchors the defense and Patrick Agyemang offers flashes of brilliance, Tillman has quietly become the creative heartbeat of this makeshift U.S. attack. It’s a role he seems to relish.

“I’m just trying to help the team win,” Tillman said after the second group stage match. “When players like Christian or Tim aren’t here, someone has to step up. I’m ready for that.”

That confidence has translated into moments of genuine leadership. In one sequence against a well-drilled Haiti on Sunday, he tracked back to win possession in his own half, carried the ball 30 yards under pressure, then delivered a no-look pass that unlocked the defense. It wasn’t just skill—it was assertiveness. Tillman wasn’t deferring; he was dictating.

Filling Big Shoes—In His Own Style

Comparisons to Pulisic or Weah are inevitable, but Tillman is forging his own path. He’s less of a traditional winger or a No. 8 but more of a hybrid No. 10 — part creator, part goal threat, all intelligence. His movement between the lines has been a nightmare for defenders. He doesn’t just drift into space; he manufactures it.

His playing style also unlocked his teammates' joy. With Tillman operating in the gaps, Diego Luna has had more freedom to drift and combine, and fullbacks like Max Arfsten and Alex Freeman have found more room to overlap.

What’s perhaps most promising is his understanding of the tempo. Young players often force the issue, but Tillman knows when to slow it down, recycle possession, or drive forward with intent. It’s the mark of someone who has learned the European game and is now bringing that maturity to the U.S. setup.

With the 2026 World Cup looming on home soil, depth and dynamism will be key. While Pulisic remains the face of the team, the U.S. needs players who can thrive when the spotlight shifts. Tillman is showing he can do exactly that.