'Gold in our hands' PSV fans rave about Americans amidst Premier League rumors

It was an evening that cemented PSV's supremacy in the Dutch top flight, the reigning champions capturing their 14th win in 15 games, while the six goals made it a remarkable 16 in their last three league contests.

It's been a dream start to the season for PSV and at the centre of it all is a thrilling core of young talent from the United States.

On Friday, three of PSV's six goals were scored by American internationals and their top two scorers this season were both part of Mauricio Pochettino's squad for the November Nations League quarter-final against Jamaica.

While it's been Ricardo Pepi and Malik Tillman stealing the headlines in the city of Eindhoven, another American notched his first PSV goal at the weekend.

Richard Ledezma latched onto a chipped pass to the back post, took a touch, and smashed the ball into the far corner to give his side a 5-1 lead.

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Still only 24 years old, the right-back has taken some time to break through at PSV, starting just twice in three seasons after moving abroad from the Real Salt Lake academy.

This year, he's managed eight starts and his impressive strike against FC Twente should just further enhance his chances of a statement campaign for club and country.

An injury-riddled three years since moving to Holland has seen Ledezma fail to build on his lone USMNT senior appearance in 2020 but he is finally starting to showcase the talent that caused PSV to make the move in the first place.

Commenting on the moment, Ledezma said: It was a very emotional moment for me. I spoke with my grandpa, who has cancer. This goal was for him, he makes me strong."

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Ledezma is just the latest in a continuously building contingent of USMNT stars enjoying impressive seasons and pushing PSV towards a second consecutive and 26th overall title.

Leading from the front is Pepi, who has gone from frustrating youngster to one of Europe's most exciting and in-form strikers.

Another goal at the weekend took his tally to double-figures in 14 league matches this season, finding the net seven times in his last six games.

Second in the entire Eredivisie in goals this term, perhaps the most remarkable element of the American onslaught at PSV is that Pepi has seen the spotlight stolen by another of his international teammates who seems destined for a move to the very top.

Malik Tillman scored his team's second goal of the contest on Friday evening, his sixth of the league season to go with a further three strikes in the Champions League.

Already highly rated around Europe, Tillman enjoyed something of a breakout performance against Ukarainian outfit Shakhtar Donetsk in the last Champions League matchday, scoring twice late on as PSV came back from two goals to claim a stunning victory.

Going deeper just highlights why the globe's elite clubs are reportedly interested in the 17-cap attacker.

In just five Champions League games this season, Tillman has already created 18 chances, the most by an American in the competition since 2003/04. With PSV sitting just outside the knock-out phase playoff places, there should be more opportunities for Tillman to build on his record total.

Through five matches of the competition, no player has created more chances than Tillman while he's also turning into a nightmare for opposition midfielders without the ball at his feet, racking up 11 tackles in PSV's dramatic 3-2 win against Shakhtar.

Speaking to German publication Bild, Tillman highlighted Paul Pogba as one of his main inspirations and at the age of 22, he's starting to live up to that billing as a force on both sides of the ball.

Unsurprisingly, PSV fans are feeling grateful for their American delegation as they each play crucial roles in guiding the Dutch champions in the direction of further glory. And they're doing all of this without Sergino Dest who continues to work his way back from a serious knee injury suffered last year.

In fact, the imprint of American influence on the Eredivisie leaders goes deeper. Earnie Stewart, who collected more than 100 caps for the USMNT, is the mastermind behind their success as the club's technical director.

"PSV is so good. The impact of Stewart and all the American players cannot be understated," one PSV fan wrote on X/Twitter.

"We have Gold in our hands with Malik Tillman, Ricardo Pepi and not to forget Sergino Dest. Ledezma is finally knocking on the door and hopefully he will remain injury free now #USMNT."

Meanwhile, Tillman received a massive sign of respect as an Ajax fan commented: "The best player in the Eredivisie. I say this as an Ajax and football supporter."

With Stewart - a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame - pulling the strings from the top of one of the Netherlands' most successful clubs and the incredible success of the stateside recruitment so far, it would be no surprise to see PSV become something of a haven for American talent.

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Only time will tell if PSV can cling onto Pepi and Tillman who have both been linked to Liverpool amongst other Premier League sides.

But their success stories are crucial for the U.S. and their new boss Pochettino.