USMNT move into Gold Cup knockouts as Malik Tilllman thrives; Club World Cup group stage moves

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Welcome to Monday one and all! Yes I hate to be the bearer of bad news but another working week is upon us. Still at least it is one that is going to be spiced up with football aplenty: Gold Cup, Club World Cup and all the drama, nonsense and dramatic nonsense of the transfer window. I'm James Benge, let's go!

📺 Footy fix

All times U.S./Eastern

Monday, June 23
🇪🇺 U19 Euros: Spain vs. Germany, 11 a.m. ➡️ Vix
🏆 CWC: Seattle Sounders vs. Botafogo, 3 p.m. ➡️ DAZN
🏆 CWC: Inter Miami vs. Palmeiras, 9 p.m. ➡️ DAZN
🇺🇸 USL: North Carolina vs. Louisville City, 7:30 p.m. ➡️ Paramount+, CBS Sports Golazo Network
🌎 Gold Cup: Jamaica vs. Guadeloupe, 7:45 p.m. ➡️ FS1

Tuesday, June 24
🏆 CWC: Benfica vs. Bayern Munich, 3 p.m. ➡️ DAZN
🏆 CWC: Esperance de Tunis vs. Chelsea, 9 p.m. ➡️ DAZN

⚽ The Forward Line

🇺🇸 Tillman proving he's a fit for Pochettino's USMNT

Another game, another win for the USMNT. Mauricio Pochettino will hardly be winning plaudits for a 2-1 win over Haiti and nor should he. It is of course fair to say that the game could have been very different if goalkeeper Matt Freese hadn't gifted the opposition an equaliser only nine minutes after the game's opener. That meant the US had to grind Haiti down, taking until the 75th minute to find their game winner through Patrick Agyeman.

Three wins from three means the USA have topped their group. Their reward is a potentially tricky meeting with Costa Rica in Minneapolis but that is probably the sort of test Pochettino will want. His squad of fringe players and contenders has begun to coalesce quite nicely, now it needs a step up in competition. In particular coming up against a side who line up in a back three and were perfectly prepared to grit and grind with Mexico should ask the right questions of his forward players.

Few of them have impressed quite like Malik Tillman, whose first three goals as a senior international make him the tournament's joint top scorer. His smart header off Brenden Aaronson's cross at the back post was of a theme to the two he netted against Trinidad and Tobago, late runs into the box from the number 10 that can be so difficult for opponents to deal with. As Pardeep Cattry noted last night, the PSV midfielder is looking like a real success story of the Pochettino era:

Cattry: "[His runs of goals represent] a notable transformation for the 23-year-old, who has always been a promising talent and has excelled at the club level with PSV, but had yet to translate that form to the national team. Head coach Mauricio Pochettino seems to have actually understood his tactical profile and is starting to get the best out of him, with Tillman slotting in nicely right behind forward [Patrick] Agyemang."

With less than a year to go until the World Cup, it's already looking like the attacking midfield spot is Tillman's to lose. No wonder. He is one of the few forward-minded players in this team who has the feel of a Pochettino player. His tendency to drift wide from a central position is very Christian Eriksen-coded, those darts into shooting positions have the look of Dele Alli in the Tottenham side who finished second in 2017. The goal output isn't quite at that level but 10 in last season's Eredivisie is not to be sniffed at for a team at the USMNT's level.

Without Christian Pulisic, Tim Weah and Folarin Balogun, the USMNT attack has needed a reference point and a leader. Tillman is proving himself to be both of those things, seizing the opportunity presented by the absence of so many. Those who want to snare a spot in Pochettino's starting XI in 354 days' time are going to find it an almighty struggle to rip it off Tillman.

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🏆 Club World Cup enters its decisive moment

In defense of the much maligned Club World Cup, at least it is not overstaying its welcome. Nine days after Lionel Messi and company kicked off the competition, the final round of group stage games are upon us. Much like the tournament itself, there does not seem to be an awful lot to swing the skeptics towards favoring the tournament, but there are at least a few storylines to enjoy.

Most intriguing of all has been the relative struggles of the European giants, two of whom could be eliminated on Monday. Inter Miami and Palmeiras can eliminate Porto with a draw, whether it be one of contrivance (split points would take both sides through to the last 16) or coincidence. Atletico Madrid, meanwhile, likely need to beat Botafogo and probably beat them by a three goal margin to escape Group B.

In the days to come Benfica, Inter and Borussia Dortmund might find themselves in trouble too. Whichever side loses Real Madrid's meeting with Salzburg would open the door for Al-Hilal to sneak in with a win. Meanwhile, every group that includes a Brazilian team is currently topped by a Brazilian team. Flamengo qualified with a game to spare after beating 10 man Chelsea 3-1 on Friday, Fluminense are well set to join them after beating Ulsan HD.

As for MLS, well, it's looking bleak. Los Angeles FC are out after being beaten by Esperance de Tunis and while the Seattle Sounders can mathematically qualify for the knockout stages, it is contingent on them smashing the European champions Paris Saint-Germain. Inter Miami, it's all on you.

Even in the groups where the layout is more settled, there is cause for interest in the final round of fixtures. Manchester City and Juventus have both qualified with two wins from two ahead of their meeting in Orlando on Thursday. However the 94th minute penalty Dusan Vlahovic scored for Juve against Wydad AC means La Vecchia Signora top Group G on goals scored; drawing their final match would send City into a knockout tie with the winners of Group H, likely Real Madrid. That would surely be the last thing City need. They may not be the only side cursing their luck over the next few days.

🔗 Top Stories

🇺🇸 USMNT breakdown: Another useful result for the USMNT, this is what you need to know about their victory against Haiti.

🦓 Juventus on the rise: Few would have fancied the Turin side to make much noise Stateside but with two wins from two, this is a team you need to take seriously. Francesco Porzio explained why on Golazo Network while Chuck Booth broke down their win in Philadelphia.

🇧🇷 Yet another Brazilian triumph: It's almost becoming predictable now: another day, another European big beast felled by a Brazilian contender. Flamengo punished Nicolas Jackson for his early red card in a 3-1 win in Philly.

🇩🇪 Rudiger alleges racial abuse: Antonio Rudiger says he was racially abused in Real Madrid's 3-1 win over Pachuca.

🤔 CWC scenarios: Need to know what it'll take for Seattle Sounders to make the last 16 or for Chelsea to crash out? We've got you covered.

🏆 CWC hub: Looking to keep up to date with the games, the talking points and the standings? Here's everything you need to know about the Club World Cup.

💰 The Back Line

💵 Best bets

Club World Cup: Inter Miami vs. Palmeiras, Monday, 9 p.m.
💰 THE PICK: Lionel Messi to assist (+350) -- It is a big game so you know at the very least that Messi is going to turn up. In fact the biggest question I faced here was whether to go for a goal or assist. The latter looks a little more tempting given that Messi averages 0.35 expected assists per 90 in the early games of the Club World Cup.

For more picks, predictions, expert tips and the latest betting news, don't miss out on CBSSports.com's betting home page.

📺 What we're watching

📺 What's on CBS Sports Golazo Network

☀️ Morning Footy (Weekdays 8-10 a.m.): Join Golazo Network as it helps fans get their day started on the right foot on the network's flagship morning show with highlights, interviews and the biggest soccer storylines. Morning Footy is also available in podcast form, so you'll never have to miss an episode.

☀️ Morning Footy (10 a.m. ET): A special edition of Morning Footy, the network's flagship morning show with highlights, interviews and the biggest soccer storylines, will kick off Golazo Network's coverage of the big game. Morning Footy is also available in podcast form, so you'll never have to miss an episode.

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