Timmy Tillman, 24, a midfielder with LAFC, has been granted a one-time “change of association” by FIFA and is now eligible to play for the United States national team, as certified by the U.S. Soccer Federation. Tillman was born in Germany and also has American citizenship.

Due to his prior experience competing for Germany at the junior level, he was needed to apply for a one-time move. Since his request was approved, he can no longer represent any country other than the United States abroad.

Obviously, it makes me pleased to represent the United States. Tilllman stated, “It is an honor for me to serve in this capacity, and I look forward to working with the United States in the years to come.” It was thrilling to share the news with my loved ones. When I was a youngster, my brother and I used to fantasize of making the national team together.

Tillman was born in Nürnberg, Germany to a German mother and an American serviceman. His younger brother, Malik, now plays in the midfield for the USMNT. Timmy followed in his brother’s footsteps by beginning his soccer career in the youth program at Greuther Fürth before transferring to the youth program at Bayern Munich, the most prestigious club in Germany. Tillman had his first experience of first-team football while on loan at FC Nürnberg in 2018–19, and then he transferred back to Greuther Fürth and played 80 times in the league between 2020 and 2023.

Tillman went to the United States at the beginning of the current season and has gotten off to a hot start with reigning MLS Cup winners LAFC, scoring twice in 10 games.

Tillman might make his national team debut at either of two tournaments this summer. On June 15 in Las Vegas, the United States and Mexico will square off in the Concacaf Nations League Semifinal. The CNL Final and Third Place Game will be played three days later. The United States, as the current holders of the Concacaf Gold Cup, will be one of 16 teams competing in the event, which will be held at various locations around the country between June 24 and July 16.

When Timmy makes his debut for the U.S. Men’s National Team, he and his brother will become the eighth pair of brothers to do so. Since Paxten Aaronson’s debut in January, the “USMNT Brothers Club” has expanded to include not just Brenden and Paxten, but also John and Pedro DeBrito, Otto and Rolf Decker, Angelo and Paul DiBernardo, Charlie and Henry McCully, George and Louie Nanchoff, Steve and Ken Snow, and Archie and Tom Stark.