Just one week after Folarin Balogun committed his international future to the U.S. men’s national team, another rising talent has done the same.
FIFA announced Tuesday that it approved a request by U.S. Soccer to change Timothy Tillman’s national eligibility from Germany, the federation stated. Tillman, a 24-year-old midfielder, had previously represented Germany at the U-16 through U-19 programs.
“To represent the United States is obviously making me proud. I’m really honored to do so and I’m looking forward to the future with the United States,” Tilllman said in an interview with U.S. Soccer. “Telling my family about it was really exciting. As a kid, my brother and I dreamt of playing for a national team together and now we’re one step closer.”
Timothy, the brother of fellow USMNT player Malik, recently made the move to MLS this year, joining defending league champions Los Angeles FC. Tillman has scored three goals and added two assists in 16 combined appearances for LAFC in MLS and Concacaf Champions League action.
A former Bayern Munich youth player, Tillman never earned his senior debut with the Bundesliga giants. He also featured for Nuremberg, as well as Greuther Furth where he featured heavily from 2019-2023.
Tillman scored two goals and registered eight assists in 85 combined appearances for Furth, teaming up with fellow American midfielder, Julian Green. He made 16 appearances for Furth during the 2022-23 campaign before joining LAFC.
Tillman could make his debut for the USMNT as early as this June during the Concacaf Nations League Final Four or the Concacaf Gold Cup. The USMNT faces Mexico on June 15 in the Nations League semifinal round, and would face either Canada or Panama in the final on June 18 if it advances.
The Gold Cup runs from June 24-July 16 in the United States, where the USMNT will defend its crown as reigning champions.
Timothy Tillman was previously seen as a major duel national target back when he was coming up through Bayern’s youth system. Capable of playing either as a CM or a LB. Injuries derailed his progress for a while, but he appears to be gaining momentum again. At 24 he could be an option for the USMNT as a back-up/depth option as we transition away from Acosta (28) and await Cardoso (21) or some another CM to mature a bit more. Tim is probably a hair better than Acosta at this point and still has a bit of upside, but I don’t think he’s able to really push for a possible starting spot within our full Sr. squad.
Should be interesting to see how USSF and Hudson approach/select the rosters for the upcoming Nations League and Gold Cup competitions. Do to run with the Core of the A-Team (Musah, McKennie, Adams, Reyna, Pulisic, Weah, Jedi, Dest, etc… for both competitions or do they mix things up a little between the 2 to give opportunities to a broader range of players.
“Wolves manager Julen Lopetegui’s future “is in doubt” because of the club’s financial situation, says Spanish football journalist Guillem Balague.
Lopetegui, 56, said last week that it would be “difficult to compete” in the Premier League without investment.
The Spaniard added he had only recently been made aware of the club’s Financial Fair Play (FFP) “problems”.
“Talks this week between the club and Lopetegui will give us a clearer picture,” Balague said.
“With the club unable to get the signings or investment they promised him and instead having to sell to keep up with FFP, his future is in doubt even though he is under contract.”
Tillman’s international team needs a manager. Guess who might be available?
I’m pretty sure Lopetegui wanted the USMNT job several years ago, but the powers tat be went in a different direction for whatever reasons. He’d be my choice over say Marsch, whom I’m hearing is the leading candidate, but we’ll see what happens pretty quickly if we are to believe Crocker’s words that by the end of summer a decision will be made on a new manager