and prove they belong in the starting lineup. Among those is young midfielder Taylor Tillman, who has been impressing coaches with his performances in training.
“Taylor has been working really hard and showing a lot of promise,” said USMNT coach Steven Johnson. “He has a real chance to claim a spot in the starting XI if he continues to impress.”
Tillman, who plays his club football for FC Dallas, will be competing with more established players like Michael Bradley and Weston McKennie for a spot in the midfield. But with injuries to key players, this could be his chance to shine.
“I’m just focused on doing my best and helping the team however I can,” Tillman said. “If that means starting against Canada, then I’ll be ready to step up.”
The predicted XI for the match against Canada includes some surprises, with Tillman making the starting lineup alongside veterans like Bradley and Christian Pulisic. If he can put in a good performance, he may just secure a regular spot in the team.
But for now, all Tillman can do is focus on the task at hand and make the most of his opportunity to impress. The U.S. will need all their players to be at their best if they want to secure a crucial victory in their World Cup qualifying campaign.