Three up-and-coming American talents are gearing up for Champions League action as a prominent Dutch club sets its sights on a successful campaign.
For today’s younger generation of American soccer enthusiasts, this situation may be considered the new normal. In the past, the dream of witnessing one or two U.S. men’s national team stars competing in the Champions League was a distant hope.
Nowadays, numerous American players have made their mark in the competition, representing some of the world’s most elite clubs. Notably, three of these promising talents have recently joined PSV, which is embarking on its Champions League journey this Wednesday with hopes of achieving something extraordinary.
Sergino Dest, Ricardo Pepi, and Malik Tillman, all distinguished members of the USMNT, are now part of PSV’s roster after completing significant transfers to the Netherlands this summer. While each of them could potentially use their time at PSV as a stepping stone in their careers, they will need to shine on the biggest stage to do so.
The journey ahead for this trio won’t be without its challenges, as they find themselves grouped with Arsenal, Sevilla, and Lens. Nevertheless, it’s a test that can be overcome. Fans of the US Men’s National Team will be closely observing the situation as PSV becomes the most recent prestigious European club to draw attention to American soccer by bringing in three promising young players.
Carrying Forward the Legacy of a Soccer Legend
The older generation of American soccer enthusiasts hold a special regard for PSV. This is the club that afforded an opportunity to one of the nation’s greatest icons, enabling him to achieve heights that remained unrivaled until recently.
PSV's #USMNT trio are all in the matchday squad vs. Arsenal.
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) September 20, 2023
Sergiño Dest gets the start, with Malik Tillman and Ricardo Pepi available off the bench. 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/QX9NjOGCyp
DeMarcus Beasley stands as one of the most influential figures in the history of American soccer. With four World Cup appearances and extensive global travels during an era when such experiences were less common, he blazed a pioneering trail. His most memorable moments at the club level occurred at PSV, where Beasley became the first American to reach the semi-finals of the Champions League.
In the 2004-05 season, Beasley and PSV contested a formidable AC Milan, losing 2-0 at San Siro but prevailing 3-1 in the return leg at home. Ultimately, they were eliminated on the away goals rule, but Beasley’s brilliance shone through with four goals throughout the tournament.
Nearly two decades later, Beasley still credits PSV for nurturing his development as a player and for the unexpected achievements in his career. In his own words, “I’ve reiterated this countless times: any young player with an opportunity to play in the Netherlands, not necessarily at a major club, should seriously consider it. The Netherlands boasts several exceptional clubs. They all prioritize attacking, exciting players who thrive in one-on-one situations.
“They don’t only teach you how to excel in areas like goal-scoring and taking on opponents individually, but also the broader responsibilities within the game. Off the field, they emphasize discipline and responsibility. I recall my time at PSV when Guus Hiddink was the coach.
During a match, I was on the opposite side of the field when my shirt became untucked, and he shouted at me across the field! ‘Beasley! Beasley!’ I thought he was issuing tactical instructions like ‘move up’ or ‘press here,’ but he was actually shouting, ‘Tuck in your shirt!’ I was surprised. It’s these little things that impart more than just the game itself.
“Discipline and responsibility are fundamental aspects of being a professional athlete and learning how to become a genuine professional. I believe the Netherlands instilled these qualities in me, and it can do the same for many others.”
Stewart’s Arrival and Transition
Earnie Stewart played a crucial role in American soccer over the past several years. As a former midfielder for the US Men’s National Team, Stewart gained a reputation as a talented builder of teams after retiring from his playing career. He had stints with NAC Breda and AZ Alkmaar before significantly contributing to the development of the Philadelphia Union into its current form.
In 2018, Stewart was appointed as the general manager of the US Men’s National Team, and a year later, he assumed the position of sporting director for the entire federation. During his tenure, he had oversight of both the US Men’s and Women’s National Teams and played a particularly influential role in the reconstruction of the Men’s National Team following their absence from the 2018 World Cup.
However, in January, it was announced that Stewart would be departing from his position to take on the role of the new technical director at PSV. Intriguingly, he wouldn’t be embarking on this journey alone…
Pepi’s Bold Career Transition
As the summer approached, a pivotal moment in Pepi’s career was on the horizon, and the key question was his next destination. The forward from the US Men’s National Team had encountered challenges since his time with Augsburg, but he had begun to rediscover his form during a productive loan spell with Groningen, where he recorded a double-digit goal tally. Unfortunately, despite his contributions, Groningen still faced relegation.
Then, during the past summer, PSV made a decisive move by securing Pepi as the first of their three American acquisitions. While he has shown promise, he has yet to displace Luuk de Jong from the starting lineup. At present, the experienced Dutch striker remains the preferred choice. Nonetheless, Pepi has made valuable contributions in his initial appearances.
The 20-year-old striker has already notched two goals, although his most recent one was not without controversy. In a 4-0 victory over NEC Nijmegen, Pepi earned a penalty and opted to take the spot-kick himself, despite objections from Mexican international Hirving ‘Chucky’ Lozano. This decision led to some consternation from Lozano, but Pepi confidently stepped up and scored his first Eredivisie goal for his new club.
This achievement came amidst an impressive streak of form with the US Men’s National Team, as Pepi found the back of the net six times in as many international matches in 2023.
Tillman’s Temporary Transfer
In a manner reminiscent of Pepi, Tillman appeared to be headed for a new club this summer following a successful loan spell last season. After his impressive stint with Rangers, PSV took action to secure a deal for the Bayern Munich midfielder, initially arranging a loan arrangement with the option to make the transfer permanent.
During his time at Bayern Munich, Tillman hasn’t yet firmly established himself, which is perfectly understandable. Nevertheless, he did make seven appearances for the Bundesliga giants and even scored a goal, underscoring his potential and the level of performance he can achieve.
Tillman, recognized for his versatility as an attacker who can operate on the wing, as a No.10 playmaker, or in an attack-oriented No.8 role, has featured in just two matches for PSV. This includes a game against his former team, Rangers, in the Champions League qualifiers, during which he scored his inaugural goal against RKC Waalwijk. However, akin to Pepi, he hasn’t quite managed to secure a spot in the starting lineup as PSV prepares for the European group stages.
Dest’s Revival Story
While Pepi and Tillman joined as emerging young talents, Dest arrived as a young player in need of rejuvenation in his career. His journey since leaving Ajax for Barcelona didn’t quite follow the intended path. Struggling to secure a spot in Xavi’s starting lineup at Camp Nou, he was subsequently loaned to AC Milan last season, where he had limited playing time before being excluded from the squad for the latter part of the season.
As a result, the US Men’s National Team full-back arrived at PSV in search of a confidence boost, and so far, he has found just that. Dest seamlessly integrated into the starting lineup, featuring both as a right-back and a left-back early in the season. In Eindhoven, he has resembled the player he once was at Ajax: a confident, attack-minded full-back known for making a significant impact in the final third.
Among the trio of Americans, Dest’s success has been the most immediate, as he has swiftly become a crucial contributor in every aspect of PSV’s gameplay.
The Path Forward
With their trio of American talents, PSV is gearing up for the upcoming Champions League group stages after successfully securing their spot by defeating Rangers. Navigating through this group will present a formidable challenge, although not an insurmountable one. Arsenal is undeniably the frontrunner, and PSV’s first match will pit them against the Gunners at the Emirates Stadium. While Arsenal is anticipated to lead the group, the unpredictable nature of the Champions League leaves room for unexpected twists.
Sevilla also occupies a spot in the group and seems to be the most probable contender for the second position, despite their history of success in the Europa League, which could potentially place them in the running for third place. Sevilla hasn’t left a significant mark on this competition for quite some time, casting doubt on their prospects this year.
Then there’s Lens, who astonishingly secured the second spot in Ligue 1 last season. However, their current season has begun sluggishly, with just one point earned in their first five games, following the departure of key players like Lois Openda and Seko Fofana during the summer. PSV, on the other hand, is confident in their chances. Their squad boasts a mix of youthful talent and seasoned players spread across the field.
Moreover, with Pepi and Tillman as impact players coming off the bench, the club enjoys valuable depth. While replicating the success of the Beasley era may be a tall order, American fans will be rooting for their three rising stars to embark on an impressive journey of their own as PSV takes center stage as America’s team in this season’s Champions League.
ALSO READ:
- Barcelona crush Royal Antwerp 5-0, thanks to Felix’s double
- Salah’s Goal Lifts Liverpool Over Brentford, Extends Lead
- Pochettino praises Gallagher as ‘key’ in Chelsea’s comeback win
