USMNT Hotshots: Scally, Tillman and Berhalter Fire Up Ahead of Belgium and Portugal Friendlies
With USMNT friendlies against Belgium and Portugal just a week away, Joe Scally, Malik Tillman, and Sebastian Berhalter delivered standout performances to boost their national team credentials. Scally orchestrated goals at Borussia Mönchengladbach, Tillman dazzled in Leverkusen's draw with Bayern Munich, and Berhalter ran riot with goals and assists for Vancouver Whitecaps. These displays highlight the depth and form aiding Mauricio Pochettino's 2026 World Cup preparations.
Picture this: just seven days until the USMNT lads ditch their club kits for the stars and stripes, facing Belgium and Portugal in friendlies that scream World Cup warm-up. With Mauricio Pochettino eyeing his squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, every weekend performance counts like a penalty in a shootout. And boy, have some Yanks delivered – drawing from insights originally spotted by SI Soccer, here are the standout shows from Joe Scally, Malik Tillman and Sebastian Berhalter that have tongues wagging.
These chaps aren't just ticking boxes; they're stamping their passports to the national team plane. With depth everywhere but spots limited, form like this is pure gold. Let's dive in, pint in hand.
Scally's Sneaky Runs Steal the Show at Gladbach
Joe Scally at Borussia Mönchengladbach is turning heads as the go-to right wing-back option, especially with Sergiño Dest sidelined. Facing bottom-dwellers St. Pauli in the Bundesliga, he slotted into a 3-5-2 and bossed the attack like he'd been mainlining Red Bull.
Gladbach went 2-0 up thanks in no small part to Scally. Spotting a gap, he ghosted into space behind a dozy defender, timed his burst perfectly, and laid it off for Franck Honorat to smash home. Not bad for a bloke who isn't Usain Bolt – it's all brains over brawn.
Sure, translating that chemistry to the USMNT might take a training camp or two, but Scally's season-long versatility screams 'pick me'. Villarreal's Alex Freeman brings pace, but Scally's tactical nous could edge it. Pochettino, take note.
Tillman's Dribble Magic Frustrates Bayern
Over in the Bundesliga cauldron, Malik Tillman showed why he's the Swiss Army knife of the US pool during Bayer Leverkusen's gritty 1-1 draw with Bayern Munich. Playing the full 90 in a 3-4-2-1, he was everywhere – shuttling from attack to midfield shutdown.
He spurned a one-on-one, but don't let that fool you. Tillman snuffed out threats from Lennart Karl and a red-carded Nicolas Jackson, then unleashed dribbles that sliced through Bayern like a hot knife through butter. Check the SofaScore maps: line-breaking take-ons that could've flipped the game.
Versatile as they come, Tillman thrives wide or central. In Pochettino's setup, he could be that wide midfield dynamo, terrorising flanks both ways. If he returns to the USMNT, expect fireworks.
Berhalter's MLS Rampage: Goals, Assists and Grit
Stateside, Sebastian Berhalter is on a tear with Vancouver Whitecaps, leading MLS assists with four through four weeks, plus two goals. Sunday's 6-0 demolition of Minnesota United? He bagged a goal and two assists, including a clever secondary assist on the second strike.
In a 4-2-3-1 double pivot with Andrés Cubas, Berhalter notched four tackles and four recoveries, chasing like a terrier before pinging progressive passes. Set-piece threat too – Vancouver's demolition was poetry in motion.
Contract up this summer, Europe's circling. A shoo-in for March and maybe the World Cup squad if this holds. Blimey, from Vancouver to Vegas 2026? Why not.
Why This Matters for Pochettino's Puzzle
These performances aren't flukes; they're World Cup audition tapes. Scally's intelligence, Tillman's flair, Berhalter's engine – all fit a 3-5-2 like gloves. With pressure cranking up, the USMNT boss has options galore, but peaking now separates the talkers from the walkers.
As the friendlies loom, expect call-ups and maybe a tactical tweak or two. The Yanks are cooking – now to serve it up against top-table foes. Cheers to that.