It was a good night for the U.S. as they won their Gold Cup group, but it was a great one for Tillman as he stole the show
ARLINGTON, Texas – The moment the question wrapped up, all Mauricio Pochettino could do was sigh. He was speechless, he admitted. What else could he say about Malik Tillman that the player's game didn't say for all to hear on Sunday night?
One goal in the back of the net, making it three for the tournament as he runs towards the Gold Cup Golden Boot – the first three goals of his his USMNT career. Two more were ruled out somewhat harshly, one partly of Tillman's own doing for not fighting to really claim it. In the 2-1 win over Haiti on Sunday – a game that helped the USMNT finish 3-0 in the group stage – Tillman was unplayable, much as he was in the opener against Trinidad and Tobago.
So what else could Pochettino do but smile as he watches a star playmaker take yet another leap forward?
"Oof," he began. "It's so difficult to define him because what a player he is. What a player."
Tillman was the show-stealer at AT&T Stadium, and he'll likely end this summer with that same status. He was the star, the player who continues to boost his case. But he wasn't the only one. Heading into the match, Pochettino made four changes to his starting XI – this after using the same starting lineup in each of the first two group stage games. While one, Tyler Adams, has little to prove to anyone, the other three were all fighting for more – and each took their chance.
Now, with a week until the knockout rounds, Pochettino will do what he has been focused on all summer: building. The U.S. will play Costa Rica next Sunday in Minneapolis in the quarterfinals. The best news is that he has the 23-year-old Tillman to build around. And this U.S. team will now believe they are better than the one that started this summer.
GOAL breaks down the winners and losers from AT&T Stadium.
Getty Images SportWINNER: Malik Tillman
Although Pochettino couldn't find the words to describe Tillman as a player, the stats paint the picture.
There was the goal, of course, but that alone doesn't tell the story. He led the match in dribbles (three), tackles (three) and duels won (nine). He created a chance, had four passes into the final third and drew multiple fouls. If Tillman hadn't raised his hand and admitted it, a potential second goal may not have been ruled out for handball. If he had been a half-step closer to the ball, another finish wouldn't have been ruled out for offside.
It was a complete performance from Tillman on both sides of the pitch.
"He is showing in this camp his talent and capacity because he is this type of player with the talent to show this every single game," Pochettino said. "Then, the capacity without the ball, the work ethic in the way that he is really aggressive. He will cover a lot of the pitch. He's always trying to help the team press, chasing back, and playing different positions. He can appear like a No. 10 in training, but he can be between the lines, on the left or right side, dropping in as a No. 8 or a No. 6.
"I see such a talented player, and I'm so pleased with him because he's such a lovely guy."
Tillman is no doubt the USMNT's attacking focal point heading into the quarterfinals and, with him in this sort of form, the U.S. will believe they can achieve their Gold Cup goals.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesLOSER: Matt Freese
Until Sunday, Matt Freese had done everything right in goal. He hadn't conceded in the Gold Cup, and the two he let in against Turkey in a pre-tournament friendly were far from his fault. It had been an ideal audition, one that was putting him into contention for a starting role going forward.
Then it happened.
Minutes after the U.S. went ahead on Tillman's 10th-minute goal, Freese was put under pressure receiving the ball – and his ensuing pass out went straight to Haiti's Don Deedson Louicius. He scrambled to get back, but the damage had been done. Loicius curled his shot right by Freese, making it 1-1.
"I move on very quickly from things as a goalkeeper," Freese said. "You need to be able to do that. You need to be, like they say, like a goldfish and move on quickly. Sulking and being upset with myself in the miidle of the game isn't my nature, so you have to just move on. Thankfully, we all support each other in the bad moments and in the good moments. And I think it was a fantastic showing of togetherness from the team."
Still, it was a rough mistake, one that Freese – who started all three Gold Cup matches ahead of Matt Turner – couldn't afford to make. That's the nature of goalkeeping, unfortunately: the good moments are when you keep things quiet, but the bad moments are always very, very loud.
"You don't need to say anything to him," Pochettino said. "The best way to handle a player is not telling them anything. It's not about saying to be careful or anything; it's about moving on. Remember, the most important action is the next one. If you're stuck on the last one, you're dead.
"This accident happened, and more like it will happen to players in the future. But we are so happy with him and with the quality of our keepers and the way that they all support each other."
It seems Pochettino is committed to Freese, yet we'll have to see if this mistake changes his mind. Another good performance would have left no doubt heading into the knockouts. Now, the questions are back.
Getty ImagesWINNER: Patrick Agyemang
In the first half, there was a moment in which Agyemang broke through. He was in alone on goal, just goalkeeper Johny Placide to beat, and a chance to net his second goal of the tournament. He put his shot right at Placide – and wasted his opportunity. As a striker, you can never count on another one to come.
"I'm a striker, so I want to score goals," Agyemang said. 'When you don't take your opportunities, you obviously just have to keep going, and that's what I did tonight."
Agyemang's chance at redemption came in the 78th minute, just moments after he and John Tolkin discussed the best way to connect. They agreed to try a ball over the top, and Tolkin's landed right in Agyemang's path. He took a touch, rounded Placide and slid it right into the back of the net for the game-winner. Mission accomplished.
"I just try to compose myself as much as possible," Agyemang said, "because you don't get many chances in a game. You have to take advantage of it. I just try and play with a clear mind, and once I rounded the keeper, it was just like, 'Alright, man, do your thing because this is what you do'. I don't put stress on myself. I just do what I know I can."
Agyemang is the only USMNT player to feature in all nine games this year and, with every chance wasted in this tournament – and there were a few – his stock slipped just a bit. Goals mean everything, though, and, having scored yet another one in a USMNT shirt, Agyemang has proven why should be the guy going forward this summer.
Getty Images SportLOSER: The other center-backs
The U.S. rotated players all over the field. The center-back duo, though, remained untouched, which will be tough to take for the three other central defenders in this group.
Chris Richards and Tim Ream retained their places in the starting XI, having now started each of the three Gold Cup games. Mark McKenzie, Miles Robinson and Walker Zimmerman watched on, having now played a combined 22 minutes in garbage time the three matches.
It's hard to see them getting much of a look going forward. With a week off until the knockouts, the U.S. will head into the quarterfinals fresh. Barring an injury, Richards and Ream are likely starting again, which means McKenzie, Robinson and Zimmerman are unlikely to get an opportunity to boost their stock.
All three are on the fringes, having been unable to convince Pochettino to give them a look.