By OkayGoal 
Malik Tillman had been fully amongst the goals for PSV over the past two Eredivisie seasons and the talented midfielder finally got to etch his name into the U.S. men’s national team’s scoring ranks on Sunday night.
Tillman scored the USMNT’s opening two goals in an eventual 5-0 home victory over Trinidad & Tobago in CONCACAF Gold Cup play. The 23-year-old was one of the better performers in the win, putting himself in good situations to find the back of the net.
With star playmaker Christian Pulisic not involved in the summer plans, Tillman was one of several attackers needing to step up for the USMNT. After delivering a strong 90-minute shift that included two goals, five duels won, and a match-high four chances created, Tillman showed to Mauricio Pochettino what he can bring when confidence is on his side.
“Malik is a talented player,” Pochettino said postmatch about Tillman. “That is obvious, that everyone can see. What changed [this summer], I think is, of course, I understand better him now. After a few weeks together, I really started to understand him, and he started to understand us.
“Like in PSV all in love with him, now we start becoming in love, myself and the coaching staff, with him,” the Argentine head coach added. “He’s a talented player, one of the most talented players, I think, that we have in USA.”
Now with two goals and one assist in three June appearances, Tillman will be eager to add to those totals as the Gold Cup group stage powers forward.
The USMNT will next face Saudi Arabia on Thursday for the first time since a goal-less 2022 friendly draw.