USMNT midfielder Malik Tillman returns from injury, but PSV, Sergino Dest lose ground in Eredivisie title race with Ajax loss

Two U.S. internationals made key strides in their injury recoveries Sunday, with Sergino Dest and Malik Tillman both seeing the field for PSV against Ajax.

Dest started for the reigning champions for the first time in more than a year, managing 77 minutes at right back. Tillman, meanwhile, played the entire second half in an earlier-than-expected return after sustaining a serious ankle ligament injury last December.

The duo may have seen the pitch together, but it was a forgettable afternoon for PSV overall. With the loss, they fell nine points behind league leaders Ajax in the title race - and now seem unlikely to retain the Dutch top flight title.

Tillman's cameo came sooner than some at the club expected. Initial reports following his injury suggested that he may be out for the campaign. Instead, he is working his way back into the fray, and would seem to be in contention for a spot in Mauricio Pochettino's USMNT for the Gold Cup this summer.

The American duo will look to recapture their best form for the Eredivisie side in the coming weeks. PSV are nine points behind Ajax with seven games to go, and will hope to close the gap when they take on Groningen next Saturday.