USMNT news: Ferreira denies rumors, Tillman’s award, Steffen’s playoffs

Today’s USMNT news includes Jesus Ferreira denying Napoli links, Malik Tillman winning PFA Scotland’s Young Player of the Year and Zack Steffen keeping a clean sheet for Middlesbrough in the Championship playoffs. 

USMNT news: Jesus Ferreira denies Napoli links

Jesus Ferreira scored a late winner for FC Dallas against Austin in MLS yesterday. It was the USMNT forward’s sixth goal in 11 league games this season. However, Ferreira has dismissed the rumors that he could be on his way to Serie A side Napoli.

When asked about Napoli by Club Deportes Sports Weekly, Ferreira replied “I don’t know anything, it’s not true, I have no idea, I know where that came from.” Ferreira is just 22 so a move to Europe could happen at some stage in his career. It just might not be the transfer to the recently crowned Italian champions just yet.

USMNT news: Malik Tillman wins PFA Scotland award

Malik Tillman has had an impressive campaign on loan at Rangers from Bayern Munich. The USMNT midfielder has scored 12 times in 48 matches this season and his performances have been recognised. He has been awarded PFA Scotland’s Young Player of the Year.

Rangers defeated Celtic last weekend 3-0 in the Scottish Premiership. They did this without Tillman who has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a hamstring injury and returned to Bayern. The Hoops have already won the league and defeated Rangers in the semi-finals of the Scottish Cup, where Tillman picked up his injury.

There will, unfortunately, be no silverware for the Gers this season but Tillman will have to make do with this individual award. It remains to be seen if Rangers will make his loan permanent, with Sky Sports reporting that they “have the first option to buy, with the fee reported to be around £5m.”

USMNT news: Zack Steffen keeps clean sheet in playoffs

Zack Steffen kept a clean sheet in Middlesbrough’s 0-0 draw with Coventry in the Championship playoff semi-final first leg yesterday. The American did not have to make a save but his distribution was very good, something that will please his parent club’s manager, Pep Guardiola.

Steffen has played twice in the Premier League with City but he now has a chance to help Boro get promoted back to English soccer’s top flight. They just need to get past Coventry and then beat either Sunderland or Luton in the final at Wembley.

The second leg of their tie with Coventry will be played this Wednesday. Steffen has had an impressive campaign for Middlesbrough this season where he has played 44 times and kept nine clean sheets.

Steffen was unlucky not to be included in Gregg Berhalter’s USMNT roster at the World Cup. He has gone on loan this season to get regular game time. However, Matt Turner who is Arsenal’s second-choice goalkeeper started for the Stars and Stripes in Qatar. Since the tournament, Steffen has been included in Anthony Hudson’s squad for the Nations League.