Reigning Eredivisie champions PSV kicked off its title defense in style on Saturday at home against RKC Waalwijk.
American midfielder Richie Ledezma made his first start for the club since November 2022 while Malik Tillman scored once in a 5-1 home victory. Fellow American Ricardo Pepi played 20 minutes off the bench for Peter Bosz’s squad.
PSV raced out to a fast start in the ninth minute through Johan Bakayoko’s goal before Jordy Schouten extended the hosts lead to 2-0 only 19 minutes later.
Tillman got in on the action in the 37th minute, ripping a right-footed shot into the top-right corner for his first goal of the new season.
Mexican international Hirving “Chucky” Lozano entered the match in the second half and proceeded to add a brace in a seven-minute span. Waalwijk’s Richard van Der Venne pulled a consolation goal back in between Lozano’s tallies to at least give the visitors a minor positive moment.
Ledezma, 23, featured at right back in his 69-minute shift, completing 95% of his passes (63/66), making two defensive interceptions, and seven defensive recoveries. The former U.S. youth national team standout is in the final 10 months of his PSV contract and has garnered interest from other teams in the Netherlands, a source close to the player confirmed to SBI.
The 22-year-old Tillman created four offensive chances, won five of his seven duels, and made eight defensive recoveries in midfield. He now has 10 career goals for PSV across all competitions.
PSV will continue Eredivisie play on August 18 at Heracles.
Tillman starting the year off like it’s my turn to run the USMNT midfield.
Tillman played this way for PSV last year. We just haven’t seen him play with the same confidence for the NT. Perhaps another year of maturity and/or the new manager will help with that. RKC finished just above relegation last year so this result was to be expected. RKC would also have the lowest payroll in MLS.
MAN-OF-THE-MATCH performance by Tillman. The kid was everywhere…..being in threatening positions (could have had a hattrick), setting up teammates, connecting passes, releasing pressure with his composure…..absolutely electrifying and a standout in this game
Richie Ledezma was really good too in defense and Pepi missed 2 goals coming on off the bench
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oILsTCcQdmo
……. good game
Glad to see Ledezma back on the pitch after so long. Hope that becomes a frequent event.
Loving this day so far!
Continue good work, boys!
Richie’s stats were good for a RB.
PSV named Richie “Star of the Match” that seems a little overboard but given it was his first start in 2 years and in a new position why not.
JR,
You can’t be versatile if you aren’t a good all around player in the first place and the USMNT can never have too many good soccer players.
I love Richie, I’ve been watching him since he was a teenager with RSLs youth team. I’m just not sure when your team scores 5g and had 77% possession a RB who didn’t score, assist, or make a tackle is probably the “star of the match”. Watched the whole match he didn’t make any big mistakes and moved the ball well in possession.
JR
It’s preseason, which is the best time to experiment with your players. It seems like forever since his injury interrupted a very promising trajectory.
Its seems like PSV must rate Ritchie. I’m just happy that he is back.
V: Regular season. The word was they were going to move him this summer with other Dutch teams interested. As I mentioned below they’re really short FBs right now with Dest and Junior hurt and Teze trying to leave (Earnie have you thought about Bryan Reynolds?). In these games where they have most of the ball (which is like 90% of their league games) Richie would be a huge asset because he can certainly hit balls into DeJong or play the wings in behind so maybe they’ll keep him there. Not sure how he’d hold up in Champions League but that’s a future problem.
JR
“Regular season”. I missed that. Still, it’s early.
However, the transfer window closes August 30th. So RB or not, you play him where you have a spot. Maybe he can be the next Trent Alexander Arnold for someone.
Golazooooo. Looks like he is playing a bit deeper in midfield.
Ledezma as a RB…. interestimg.
They’re down a couple FBs and the announcer kept saying a Teze transfer is expected any day. The only other FB on their roster today that didn’t play was a teenager they brought up from PSV II. I imagine they’ll be looking to bring in some FB help before the end of the transfer window, but what a great opportunity for Richie until that happens.
Tillman had another goal called back by VAR for an offside in the buildup as well.