Malik Tillman could make his U.S. men’s national team debut Wednesday night in a friendly against Morocco, just one day after FIFA officially approved his switch of association from Germany to the USMNT.
Speaking to reporters in Cincinnati on Tuesday, Tillman—who just turned 20 during this camp—said that this marks his first visit in the United States, a country he is eligible to play for through his father.
Tillman noted that Gregg Berhalter’s pitch, along with a clearer path to World Cup play with the USMNT than with Germany, were major factors in his choice. “I would say that I have a chance of playing in a World Cup this year. In Germany, I think I wouldn’t be with the team for (likely) the next two years,” Tillman said. “If I have a great career the next two years, maybe I can have a chance with the German national team but I don’t really see the chance with them. I see it here.”
Tillman added later that Berhalter views him first as a No. 10, which “was one of the points that convinced me.”
In his remarks after announcing the roster in May, Berhalter said he saw Tillman as “an attacking midfielder in a 4231, he could be a pocket winger in a 433, he could be a center mid in a 433 depending on if we can get his defensive work where it needs to be.”
Tillman said that the thought of playing for the USMNT had been on his mind even as he studied English growing up, and that his brother Timothy—who had 28 appearances with Greuther Fürth this season—is also interested in switching allegiance after playing for German youth national teams.
Along with his meeting with Berhalter, Tillman credited Chris Richards and Taylor Booth for helping him choose the USMNT during their time as teammates at Bayern. “They told me it’s a great group of guys, there was a lot of potential, and they also convinced me,” said Tillman. “With Chris, I have a good relationship and I really trust him. I would say he’s a good friend of mine. So to hear (positive things about the USMNT environment) from him is very important for me.”
Tillman said that even though the only player in camp he really knew personally was George Bello (who played alongside him for the U.S. Under-15s in 2016), the group has made him feel very welcome.
“It took me a lot of time to make the decision, but in the end I listened to what my heart told me, and, yeah, I hope it’s the right decision. I hope I like it,” said Tillman. “I’m happy to be here.”