Tag: Rangers

Berhalter urges Malik Tillman to ‘pick it up’ for USMNT, Rangers

Berhalter wants more out of the USMNT playmaker

Malik Tillman has started his time with Rangers off with plenty of success, but for U.S. men’s national team head coach Gregg Berhalter, the young midfielder should be doing even more.

Speaking with media after announcing his roster for the USMNT’s September friendlies against Japan and Saudi Arabia, Berhalter said that Tillman—who is one of six midfielders named in the squad for matches to be played in Düsseldorf and Murcia—needs to show more consistency in the biggest games.

“He’s done well, but he needs to do better. He needs to increase his level,” said a blunt Berhalter. “I’m disappointed with his last couple performances against Ajax and Celtic.” Those matches both ended in heavy 4-0 defeats for Rangers, with Tillman substituted in the 59th minute against Celtic and then at halftime against Ajax.

Berhalter: Consistency for Tillman is key

The problem Tillman will run into playing with Rangers is a common one for players who move to either Glaswegian giant over the years: Old Firm clashes and games in Europe are so high-stakes and are played at a very high level, but the competition in the Scottish Premier League outside of those Celtic vs. Rangers battles are a step down.

“He’s got a ton of quality,” added Berhalter, who emphasized that the USMNT coaching staff still thinks highly of the Bayern Munich academy  product. “The conversations I’m having with him (are) that he can help this group, but he needs to pick it up a little…he’s got a huge ceiling.”

That’s not to say Tillman has not produced in some very big games in the first weeks of his time with Rangers. He scored the goal that took them past Union Saint-Gilloise in the penultimate round of Champions League qualifying, and then had the assist on Antonio Colak’s decisive goal against PSV.

Since joining Rangers, Tillman has two goals and one assist, and had started nine of their first 10 games in all competitions. However, after two straight rough losses for Rangers, he was one of five players dropped by Giovanni van Bronckhorst for Wednesday’s Champions League visit to Napoli.

“It’s great to see the start that he had, and now it’s going to be about, in these next bigger games, when he’s in the Champions League, will he do the same type of thing he’s doing in the Scottish league?” asked Berhalter. “That’s going to be interesting to see.”

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USMNT duo Malik Tillman, James Sands help Rangers qualify for Champions League

The U.S. contingent in the Champions League keeps growing

Add James Sands and Malik Tillman to the list of U.S. men’s national team players in this year’s Champions League group stage.

The USMNT duo both played a major role as Rangers defeated PSV 1-0 on Wednesday night, giving them a 3-2 aggregate victory that sends the Scottish side into Thursday’s draw. Manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst started Tillman as his No. 10 in a 4-2-3-1 formation, while Sands took up his usual spot at center back as both USMNT players went the full 90 minutes.

Rangers started well, with Tillman creating their best early look only for Tom Lawrence to blaze it wide in the 25th minute. Tillman and Sands were among the best players on the field for either team, with Rangers’ attacks nearly always involving the former Bayern Munich academy product. At the other end, Sands and the Glaswegian club’s defense gave up little, frustrating the crowd in Eindhoven and keeping the game manageable for Rangers.

Tillman also ended up with the assist on the goal that took them through, pouncing on a massive mistake on the hour mark as Rangers scored the game’s only goal. PSV goalkeeper Walter Benítez passed to André Ramalho, who Tillman pressured immediately. Tillman won the ball cleanly, drew Benítez, and squared for Antonio Colak to tap into an empty net.

It was the second decisive moment for Tillman in this Champions League qualifying campaign. His first goal at the club completed a remarkable comeback in the previous round, as they overturned a two-goal deficit to advance past Union Saint-Gilloise. That moment was instantly lionized on the blue side of Glasgow, with fans doing a “Tillman Header Challenge” outside of Ibrox.

From there, though, the game came down to Rangers doing wonderful work in killing the game off effectively, with PSV never having much of a look of note. Sands played a prominent role at center back, coming through numerous aeriel duels as PSV grew more desperate.

The win sees Rangers back into the group stage for the first time since the 2010-11 edition. Tillman and Sands will join a large group of USMNT-eligible players in the group stage, with Christian Pulisic (Chelsea), Gio Reyna (Dortmund), Sergiño Dest (Barcelona, at least for the time being),  Cameron Carter-Vickers (Celtic), Owen Otasowie (Club Brugge), Timothy Chandler (Eintract Frankfurt), and Josh Cohen (Maccabi Haifa).

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UEFA Champions League playoffs: Maccabi Haifa, Benfica, Viktoria Plzen qualify

Follow all the UEFA Champions League playoffs as the final teams qualify for this year’s competition.

The final playoffs for the UEFA Champions League are playing out, with the final six spots in this year’s group stage up for grabs. Follow along as the second leg of every playoff is settled, and the Champions League picture clarifies.

 

 

The ‘Tillman Header Challenge’ is now a thing at Rangers

Another reminder that pro athletes are not like the rest of us

Malik Tillman’s dramatic game-winning header in the Champions League this week has already become part of Rangers folklore.

For evidence, look no further than the club’s “Tillman Header Challenge,” which was set up for fans to try outside of Ibrox prior to Saturday’s match against St. Johnstone.

Tillman rose up above Union SG goalkeeper Anthony Moris to head home the winner for Rangers on Tuesday, giving the Scottish side a dramatic 3-2 win that sent them through to the final round of Champions League qualifying.

Rangers set up a cardboard cutout of Tillman and a ball at the exact height of the U.S. national team attacker’s leap, giving Rangers fans the chance to try to match their player’s feat.

The result, for most fans, was more evidence that professional athletes are not like the rest of us.

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Malik Tillman sends Rangers through to final round of Champions League qualifying

Tillman’s first Rangers goal was huge

Malik Tillman’s first Rangers goal ended up being a big one, as the U.S. men’s national team prospect sent his new club through to the final round of Champions League qualifying.

Tillman and Rangers—who started two USMNT players, with Tillman joined by James Sands—had a mountain to climb after losing their first leg at Belgium’s Union-Saint Gilloise 2-0.

However, back at Ibrox Stadium, they mounted a stunning comeback. James Tavernier converted a penalty just before halftime to give them hope, and Antonio Čolak’s 58th minute goal levelled the scores.

That set the stage for Tillman. Rangers recycled a set piece before Borna Barišić crossed in a prayer high to the back post. Tillman managed to leap higher than Union SG goalkeeper Anthony Moris to nod the ball into an empty net, setting off wild celebrations in the stands as Rangers took a 3-0 lead on the night, and a 3-2 edge on aggregate.

Rangers held on from there to pull off the unlikely victory. Tillman played the full 90 minutes for Rangers, while Sands played 79 at center back.

The Glaswegian giants face one more round to get into the group stage, and it’s going to be tough. They’ll either play PSV or Monaco, who were in extra time as Rangers celebrated their win. The first leg will be August 16 or 17, with the second leg a week later.

If Rangers qualify, it will be their first trip to the Champions League proper since 2010-11.

Watch Tillman send Rangers through

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USMNT’s Malik Tillman joins Rangers on loan from Bayern Munich

The Scottish side will have an option to purchase the 20-year-old at season’s end

Rangers have announced they have signed Malik Tillman on a season-long loan from Bayern Munich, with an exclusive option to buy.

The 20-year-old came up through Bayern’s academy and represented the club at various youth levels before making his senior debut last season.

Facing an unlikely path to regular minutes this season, Tillman has opted to move to Scotland in search of more first-team playing time.

“I am really excited to sign for Rangers and I’m looking forward to getting started,” Tillman told Rangers’ website. “It is a new challenge for me at a huge club with fantastic supporters and I can’t wait for the season ahead.”

Tillman represented Germany at several youth levels before opting to switch to the United States, filing a change of association application with FIFA in May.

The attacking midfielder, who is eligible for the U.S. through his American father, made his senior debut for the USMNT last month.

At Rangers, Tillman will link up with his USMNT teammate James Sands, who joined the Scottish side in January from New York City FC.

“I am very pleased to welcome Malik to our squad ahead of the 2022-23 season,” Rangers manager Giovanni van Bronckhorst said.

“He is an exciting young talent who will further add to our attacking options and myself and the coaching staff are looking forward to working with him.”

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Jimmy Fallon intentó – y fracasó – comerse un hot dog y tomar cerveza en el Juego 5 de los Rangers

Esto pudo haberle salido mejor a Jimmy Fallon. Para el Juego 5 de la Final de la Conferencia del este entre los New York Rangers y los Tampa Bay Lightning, la serie regresó a la Gran Manzana con un empate de 2-2. Como la serie estaba de regreso en …

Esto pudo haberle salido mejor a Jimmy Fallon.

Para el Juego 5 de la Final de la Conferencia del este entre los New York Rangers y los Tampa Bay Lightning, la serie regresó a la Gran Manzana con un empate de 2-2. Como la serie estaba de regreso en New York, muchas de las grandes estrellas y las celebridades se presentaron para apoyar a los Blueshirts en el partido contra los actuales campeones de la Stanley Cup.

Una de esas celebridades fue Fallon, quien tomó un descanso de su programa nocturno para disfrutar de una cerveza y un hot dog en un juego de playoffs. Desafortunadamente para Fallon, cuando la cámara lo enfocó mientras estaba sentado en las gradas, fracasó espectacularmente en darle un trago a su cerveza y en comerse su hot dog.

Traducción: Jimmy Fallon SE VOLVIÓ LOCO en el juego de esta noche de los Rangers.

 

Traducción: Bueno, @jimmyfallon acaba de meter UN hot dog en su cerveza y después intentó tomarse toda la cerveza e hizo un desastre.

 

Por suerte, Fallon fue visto más tarde en las gradas vistiendo un jersey de los Rangers, así que se ve que se cambió la camisa que había quedado completamente arruinado al haberle echado cerveza por todos lados. Y nos referimos a todos lados, porque en serio no pensamos que se la haya podido tragar toda.

Tal vez el campeón de comer hot dogs Joey Chestnut podría darle unos consejos a Fallon para mejorar su técnica y ritmo para cuando vuelva a hacer sus diabluras de intentar atragantarse las cosas.

 

Artículo traducido por Ana Lucía Toledo

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3 MLB managers who could be the next to lose their jobs after the Phillies fired Joe Girardi

Who needs to step it up before they join Joe Girardi on the curb?

The 2022 MLB coaching carousel is officially off and spinning.

Joe Girardi became the first manager to his lose his job this season as the Philadelphia Phillies decided enough was enough on Friday. It’s as close to a full reset as the Phillies could’ve made at the moment. Along with Girardi, the team axed coaching assistant Bobby Meacham and promoted bench coach Rob Thomson to interim manager. Mike Calitri will take over Thomson’s former role.

It very likely won’t be the last time we see a coaching change this season. In recent years it’s typical to see two or three teams relieve their managers.

So who could be next to go in 2022? We’ve got three names already on the hot seat.

All odds via Tipico 

James Sands becomes third USMNT player to feature in major European final

The 21-year-old joined a select club that also includes Clint Dempsey and Christian Pulisic

James Sands joined a select group of American players on Wednesday as he entered the field for Rangers against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League final.

Sands came into the game in the 101st minute, with the match all square at 1-1 in extra time. The 21-year-old had one long ball that nearly led to a goal for Rangers, but later could only watch as his side fell 5-4 in a penalty shootout.

But Sands still made some history by entering the pitch, becoming just the third American to play in a major European men’s final.

Clint Dempsey became the first when he played in Fulham’s 2010 Europa League final loss to Atlético Madrid, then Christian Pulisic played for Chelsea in last season’s Champions League final win over Manchester City.

Sands fights for minutes with Rangers

Sands joined Rangers in January on a loan through June 2023 with a purchase option.

The versatile defender/midfielder has had to fight for playing time, making 14 appearances in all competitions with seven starts.

Sands is in a battle for a USMNT roster spot at the World Cup and for now looks to be on the outside looking in. He earned all seven of his caps in 2021, but has not featured for the national team since September.

Though Rangers finished as runners-up in the Europa League and the league behind Celtic, they will still have a shot for a trophy this season when they take on Hearts in the Scottish Cup final on Saturday.

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Eintracht Frankfurt es campeón de Europa League y así festejó su hinchada

Una invasión de hinchas alemanes en la final en Sevilla, tomaron por sorpresa la ciudad con tifo, bengalas, pirotecnia y hasta un mensaje a la UEFA.

El Eintracht Frankfurt s coronó campeón de la Europa League ante el Rangers de Escocia en serie de penales y su hinchada festejó de manera descomunal.

Tanto en el Sánchez Pizjuán de Sevilla donde se disputó el encuentro, como en las calles de Frankfurt en Alemania, el Eintracht logró hacer vibrar a una ciudad con el título de Europa League y como es costumbre de su afición festejaron en grande.

Una invasión de hinchas alemanes en la final en Sevilla, tomaron por sorpresa la ciudad con tifo, bengalas, pirotecnia y hasta un mensaje a la UEFA.

Así festejó el Eintracht Frankfurt su título de Europa League