GOAL looks at the biggest storylines among Americans Abroad, with tests ahead for Reyna, Tillman and Weah
There's roughly one month left in the regular season of most of Europe's top domestic leagues. Champions will be crowned near the end of May, and clubs are preparing for a final run up the table.
In the Netherlands, reigning Dutch champions PSV are in trouble. Their poor stretch of form has seen them fall back in the title race. However, U.S. internationals Sergino Dest and Malik Tillman have both returned from injury as they look to help spearhead a title push.
League-leaders Ajax have leapt ahead in recent weeks and hold a nine-point advantage. Although it would take a series of upsets for PSV to emerge as a contender, they must strive for three points each game – and a healthy Tillman can help them do exactly that.
In Italy, Tim Weah is looking to find out where he belongs under new Juventus manager Igor Tudor. Is he a fullback? A wingback? A striker? A winger? Nobody knows yet, and it's up to the USMNT standout to show his coach what he can bring to the table. With just one appearance under Tudor, opportunity awaits the 25-year-old.
And in Germany, this is perhaps the final chance of the season for Gio Reyna to make an impact. The 21-year-old was called upon midweek in the Champions league off the bench for his first appearance in nearly a month – and this weekend, Borussia Dortmund meet arch rivals Bayern Munich in the latest Der Klassiker. Is this his moment?
GOAL looks ahead at some of the biggest storylines to follow among Americans Abroad this weekend.
Getty ImagesCan Malik Tillman lead PSV into contention?
PSV have had a rough few months – as have their American contingent. All three of Ricardo Pepi, Malik Tillman and Sergino Dest have missed time due to injury, though the latter two have had recent returns. And Tillman scored his first goal back from injury last weekend.
His return could pay dividends at the club level, but could also help solve one of the biggest issues that plagued the U.S. men's national team during the March Nations League: the midfield. The U.S. lacked a traditional No. 10 in both matches, as Christian Pulisic was deployed, but struggled immensely in areas that linked the center of the pitch and the attack.
That's an area in which Tillman excels. He can hold up the ball while playing creator at the same time. If he finds himself continuing to create opportunities in and around the box at the club level, the odds are in his favor to see a call-up to the national team this June – and potentially, the Gold Cup.
The 22-year-old is now up to eight goals this season in the Eredivisie, with 16 total goal-contributions across all competitions. The Dutch side clash with Almere City FC on Saturday, with much on the line.
AdvertisementAFPCan Tim Weah define his role with Juventus?
Igor Tudor is unbeaten in two matches since taking over as head coach of the in March, and is looking to guide Juventus into a top-four spot in Serie A.
U.S. international Weston McKennie has started twice for the Croatian manager, but fellow American Tim Weah has only logged one start, the recent 1-1 draw with Roma. He was deployed as a left wingback in a 3-4-2-1 formation. Weah is generally viewed as an attacker under Mauricio Pochettino, though he's played on both sides of the pitch in a winger role.
This weekend, the clash with Lecce in Serie A action, and it's expected that McKennie will be a contributor – but Weah's status is unclear. Juve are nearing must-win territory as the season nears a close. Sitting fifth in the domestic league standings, they're two-points from third place, but eighth place in Serie A trails them by just four points – they can't afford to slip.
Weah has not recorded a goal-contribution since a 3-1 UCL victory over PSV on Feb. 19, while his last in Serie A came on Feb. 1 in a 4-1 win over Empoli. He could use a game that spurs a bit of confidence, while earning trust from his new manager.
Getty Images SportCan Reyna rise in Dortmund's biggest game of the year?
It's not news that Gio Reyna has had a tough 2024-25 campaign. Dortmund have had three different managers over the course of the season, and he's yet to find a consistent run of form under any of them.
However, BVB are in a near dire situation as the campaign comes to a close, in their attempt to earn a top-four spot in the Bundesliga and clinch Champions League soccer next season. On Saturday they'll be in a must-win situation as they take on league-leaders and arch-rival Bayern Munich in another edition of Der Klassiker at the Allianz Arena.
Reyna hasn't appeared for the Bundesliga side in regular season action since March 1, a 2-0 victory over FC St. Pauli. However, he logged 23 minutes off the bench midweek in the UEFA Champions League against Barcelona – a 3-0 defeat to the Catalan giants.
Expectations may be low at the moment, even though he made his national team debut under Pochettino for the U.S. in the Nations League. He impressed in a brief showing off the bench. Factor that in with his recent showing in the UCL, and opportunity could be on the horizon .
If there's a moment in which his impact would be beneficial, it will be this weekend as BVB look to shock Bayern on the road in a fierce derby.
Getty Images SportAround the continent
+ Kevin Paredes has yet to make his 2024-25 season debut for Wolfsburg, as he missed the three-quarters of the season due to injury. He has made the bench in their last two Bundesliga matches, though, and is being touted for an official return this weekend when they take on RB Leipzig Friday.
+ Defender Caleb Wiley recorded his first assist for Watford in the EFL Championship last week, and will be looking to build on that momentum after three straight starts. On loan from Chelsea, the take on West Brom on Saturday.
+ Midfielder Tanner Tessmann and french side Lyon sit four points from second place in Ligue 1, occupying a fifth-place spot in the standings. Three points against Auxerre on Sunday could see them climb into the top-three in the table.
