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Siddhant Lazar

'His level just continues to rise' – Tony Meola picks Bayer Leverkusen’s Malik Tillman over Gio Reyna as USMNT No. 10

As Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Monchengladbach set square off this weekend, Malik Tillman and Gio Reyna will face each other on opposite sides - a timely backdrop for a debate within the USMNT. Tony Meola says he remains a “Gio fan” when both are at their best, but says Tillman’s recent rise gives him the edge in the race for the No. 10 role going forward.

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    Tillman's development puts him ahead

    Meola’s assessment underscores the strides Tillman has made since leaving Bayern Munich for PSV Eindhoven, where he played a key role in their Eredivisie title run before moving to Bayer Leverkusen this summer. His Gold Cup performances under Pochettino further strengthened his place in the national team.

    “If we see both of those players at their peak level, I’m a Gio fan,” the former USMNT star said on the Call it What You Want podcast. “I just don’t know that he’s going to overtake Malik Tilman with the progress that he’s made...His level just continues to rise, and he’s got a different responsibility now at his new club.

    “Gio hasn’t played in a long time, man, like consistently. It’s been a long time. I’d love to see the problem, to have Gio get to the level [he was before]....I just find it hard to see.”

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    Reyna's unique skillset still crucial

    Despite favoring Tillman, Meola said that the national team need Reyna to return to his best form because he offers "a completely different skillset" from other American midfielders. The former goalkeeper pointed to Reyna's exceptional vision, close control in tight spaces, and ability to create opportunities that few other American players possess.

    “I do think he’s been our most sort of creative player in the way that he thinks about the game," Meola said. “Because there is so much talent in that kid and we’ve seen those moments, and we’re kind of just yearning for it.”

  • A tight competition

    Both Reyna and Tillman have made debuts with new clubs this season and go head-to-head this Sunday. So far, Tillman has made three overall appearances for Die Werkself, scoring one goal. Reyna got his first appearance for Gladbach last weekend, starting and playing 75 minutes in a 4-0 defeat. 

  • Looking at the table

    Leverkusen host Sunday's match and currently sit 11th in the Bundesliga after three matches. Gladbach, currently working under a caretaker manager in Eugen Polanski, sit just above the relegation zone at 16th.