Why won’t Malik Tillman be playing for the USMNT against Germany and Ghana?

Bayern Munich attacking midfielder Malik Tillman, currently on loan in the Netherlands with PSV Eindhoven, was again called up for the USMNT’s upcoming friendly matches against Germany on Ghana, which will take place on Saturday 14 October and Tuesday 17 October respectively. However, the 21-year-old has been forced to withdraw from Gregg Berhalter’s squad from the games in East Hartford and Nashville.

How long will Tillman be out for?

Munich-based journalist Kerry Hau of German broadcaster Sport 1 revealed that the promising youngster, who has played six times for the Stars and Stripes since making his debut in June 2022, had suffered an as yet unspecified injury.

“Bayern player Malik Tillman (currently on loan at PSV Eindhoven) has had to withdraw from international duty with the USA due to injury [...] and will be out of action for around two weeks.”

USMNT vs Germany: a special occasion for Tillman

Hau also highlighted the fact that the game against Germany would have been a special occasion for Tillman, who was born in the European country to a German mother and American father. The midfielder represented the nation of his birth up until Under-21 level before switching to the United States last year.

Tillman joined PSV on loan from Bayern at the start of the 2023-24 season and has wasted little time in making an impact in the Netherlands. He has scored three goals and provided one assist in his first four league appearances, a run of form which has help the Eindhoven side to the top of the table with a perfect record after eight matches. The USMNT man has also featured twice in the Champions League group stage, coming off the bench in a 4-0 defeat to Arsenal before starting in the 2-2 draw at home to Sevilla.

Dest and Pepi complete PSV’s American contingent

As well as Tillman, fellow internationals Sergiño Dest and Ricardo Pepi are part of the PSV roster and are in contention to play against Germany and Ghana.