Americans Abroad Midweek Preview: Tillman faces Sands, and more

The German DFB Pokal is winding down this winter with two U.S. men’s national team hopefuls seeking to stay in this season’s competition.

Malik Tillman and James Sands meet on Tuesday as Bayer Leverkusen hosts St. Pauli in quarterfinal action this week.

Tillman most recently scored his sixth goal of the season in all competitions as Kasper Hjulmand’s squad defeated Eintracht Frankfurt 3-1 in Bundesliga play on Saturday. The 23-year-old continued his positive run in the starting lineup, making it three goals scored in a four-day period across two different competitions.

Sands logged 90 minutes on Saturday despite St. Pauli’s 2-1 loss to Augsburg in league play. The NYCFC loanee has continued to rack up the minutes in midfield, but St. Pauli have failed to win any of their last six league fixtures, keeping them in a relegation fight.

The battle between Tillman and Sands will certainly be one to watch on Tuesday, especially with both players riding good runs of form individually.

Elsewhere, Weston McKennie and Juventus visit Yunus Musah and Atalanta in Coppa Italia play. Johnny Cardoso and Atletico Madrid take on Real Betis in Copa Del Rey action. Mark McKenzie and Tim Weah aim to feature in Coupe De France play. Auston Trusty and Celtic visit Aberdeen in Scottish league play. Sergino Dest and PSV host Heerenveen in KNVB Cup action. Alex Zendejas and Club America take on Olimpia as the CONCACAF Champions Cup gets underway.

Here is a closer look at this week’s Americans Abroad:

Spain

Copa Del Rey

Johnny Cardoso and Atletico Madrid visit Real Betis on Thursday.

Germany

DFB Pokal

Malik Tillman and Bayer Leverkusen host James Sands and St. Pauli on Tuesday.

John Tolkin and Holstein Kiel host Stuttgart on Wednesday.

Italy

Serie A

Christian Pulisic and AC Milan visit Bologna on Tuesday.

Coppa Italia

Weston McKennie and Juventus visit Yunus Musah and Atalanta on Thursday.

France

Coupe De France

Folarin Balogun and Monaco visit Strasbourg on Thursday.

Tim Weah and Marseille host Rennes on Tuesday.

Tanner Tessmann and Lyon host Laval on Wednesday.

Mark McKenzie and Toulouse host Amiens on Wednesday.

Netherlands

KNVB Cup

Sergino Dest and PSV host Heerenveen on Wednesday.

Taylor Booth and FC Twente visit AZ Alkmaar on Tuesday.

Ricardo Pepi is OUT (Arm Injury) for PSV.

Scotland

Premiership

Auston Trusty and Celtic visit Aberdeen on Wednesday.

Cameron Carter-Vickers is OUT (Achilles Injury) for Celtic.

Greece

Cup

Erik Palmer-Brown and Panathinaikos host PAOK Thessloniki on Wednesday.

International

CONCACAF Champions Cup

Alex Zendejas and Club America visit Olimpia on Tuesday.