Ranking the top 10 USMNT soccer players of all time is no easy task, as there have been many great players who have represented the United States over the years. However, this list will attempt to identify the players who have had the greatest impact on the USMNT and who have achieved the most success at the international level.
From World Cup heroes to record-breaking goal scorers, these players have left their mark on American soccer and have inspired a new generation of players to follow in their footsteps. So, without further ado, let’s take a look at the top 10 USMNT soccer players of all time and celebrate the achievements of these American soccer legends.
10. Eric Wynalda
Eric Wynalda is one of the most iconic players in the history of USMNT. He scored the first goal in Major League Soccer history and was the all-time leading goal scorer for USMNT until Landon Donovan came along.
Wynalda was a prolific striker with a deadly left foot and an uncanny ability to score from anywhere on the field. He scored 34 goals in 107 appearances for USMNT, including a stunning free-kick against Switzerland in the 1994 World Cup.
Wynalda was known for his physicality, work ethic, and leadership qualities. He was a fierce competitor who always gave his best on the field. He played for several clubs in the US and Europe, including San Jose Clash, Miami Fusion, and VfL Bochum.
Despite his success on the field, Wynalda was not without controversy. He was known for his outspokenness and willingness to challenge authority. He was also involved in a public feud with former USMNT coach Steve Sampson, which led to his exclusion from the 1998 World Cup squad.
9. Claudio Reyna
Claudio Reyna is widely regarded as one of the best midfielders to ever play for the USMNT. He played for the USMNT for over a decade, from 1994 to 2006, and was the captain of the team for many years.
Reyna started his professional career in Germany, playing for Bayer Leverkusen and VfL Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga. He then moved to Scotland to play for Glasgow Rangers before joining Sunderland in the English Premier League. He also played for Manchester City in the Premier League before returning to the United States to play for the New York Red Bulls.
Reyna was a versatile player who could play in multiple positions, including central midfield, attacking midfield, and right midfield. He was also a set-piece specialist and scored some crucial goals for the USMNT from free-kicks and penalties.
One of Reyna’s most memorable performances for the USMNT came in the 2002 World Cup, where he helped the team reach the quarter-finals. As a result, Reyna was named in the FIFA World Cup All-Star Team for his performance in the tournament.
Overall, Reyna made 112 appearances for the USMNT and scored eight goals. He was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2012.
8. DaMarcus Beasley
DaMarcus Beasley was born on May 24, 1982, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Beasley began his professional career at the age of 16 when he signed with the Chicago Fire in 1999.
Throughout his career, Beasley played as a winger or left-back, and he was known for his speed, dribbling ability, and versatility. He was also a key player for the USMNT, making 126 appearances and scoring 17 goals. Beasley was a part of the USMNT squad that reached the quarter-finals of the 2002 World Cup and played in four World Cups in total.
Beasley’s club career saw him play for a number of teams in the United States and Europe. After his stint with the Chicago Fire, he moved to the Netherlands to play for PSV Eindhoven, where he won three titles. He also played for Rangers in Scotland, Hannover 96 in Germany, and Houston Dynamo and Chicago Fire in the MLS.
He was able to play in multiple positions and was still playing at a high level well into his 30s. He was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2023, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest USMNT players of all time.
7. Cobi Jones
Cobi Jones was a midfielder who played for the national team for over a decade, earning 164 caps and scoring 15 goals in the process.
Jones was known for his incredible speed, technical ability, and versatility on the field. He was equally comfortable playing on the wing or in the center of the midfield, and was often used as a creative playmaker for the national team.
Jones was a key player for the USMNT during the 1990s and early 2000s, helping the team qualify for three consecutive World Cups from 1994 to 2002. He was also a member of the US team that won the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2002.
In addition to his success with the national team, Jones enjoyed a long and successful club career. He spent most of his career playing for the LA Galaxy in Major League Soccer, where he won two MLS Cups and was named to the league’s Best XI three times.
After retiring from playing, Jones has remained involved in the sport as a commentator and analyst. He has worked for a number of different networks, including Time Warner Cable SportsNet, Fox Sports, BeIN Sports, and the Pac-12 Network. He is currently an analyst for MLS Season Pass on Apple TV and the host of the Totally Football Show: American Edition.
Overall, Cobi Jones is widely regarded as one of the greatest players in USMNT history. His speed, technical ability, and versatility on the field made him a key player for the national team for over a decade, and his success with the LA Galaxy helped to establish Major League Soccer as a top professional league in North America.
6. Brian McBride
Brian McBride is a former U.S. Men’s National Team striker who played for the United States for over a decade. McBride was born on June 19, 1972, in Arlington Heights, Illinois. He started playing soccer at a young age and quickly showed his talent on the field.
McBride played for several teams throughout his career, including Columbus Crew, Fulham, and Chicago Fire. He was known for his excellent heading ability and his strength on the ball.
During his time with the U.S. Men’s National Team, McBride scored 30 goals in 98 appearances. He is the fifth-highest goal scorer in USMNT history. McBride played in three World Cups for the United States, including the 2002 tournament where he scored the game-winning goal against Mexico in the Round of 16.
McBride scored 80 goals in 220 appearances in different MLS teams such as Chicago Fire and Columbus Crew. He also played in the Premier League for historic teams such as Fulham and Everton.
5. Tim Howard
Tim Howard played for the USMNT from 2002 to 2017. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest American goalkeepers of all time and has earned more caps (121) than any other goalkeeper in USMNT history.
Howard’s career began in 1997 when he signed with the North Jersey Imperials. He went on to play for MetroStarts before moving to Manchester United in 2003. Howard played for Manchester United for four seasons and helped the team win the FA Cup in 2004.
In addition to his success at Manchester United, Howard also played for Everton from 2006 to 2016. During his time at Everton, he became a fan favorite having 367 appearances with the team.
One of Howard’s most memorable performances came during the 2014 FIFA World Cup when he made 16 saves in a single match against Belgium. Although the USMNT ultimately lost the match, Howard’s performance earned him widespread praise and solidified his status as one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
4. Michael Bradley
Michael Bradley is a dominant central midfielder who has become one of the most prolific players in the US Men’s National Team’s history. Bradley began his professional career with the MetroStars in Major League Soccer in 2004 and later spent several years playing in Europe.
Bradley captained the United States national team and made 151 appearances for the US men’s team. He was a regular captain of the side and was named the USA Footballer of the Year in 2015. Bradley was also a two-time Gold Cup Winner and one-time MLS Cup Champion.
Bradley is known for his exceptional skills both tactically and physically. He has an eye for the game and can read the field well, which makes him a great playmaker. Bradley is also a great defender and can break up plays with ease.
3. Christian Pulisic
Christian Pulisic is a young and talented soccer player who has already established himself as one of the best players in the history of the US Men’s National Team. He was born on September 18, 1998, in Hershey, Pennsylvania, and started playing soccer at a very young age.
Pulisic made his debut for the USMNT in 2016 at the age of 17. He has scored 25 goals in 67 appearances for the national team, and he is sixth on the USMNT’s all-time scoring chart.
One of Pulisic’s greatest strengths is his ability to create scoring opportunities for his teammates. He has recorded 25 assists for the USMNT, which is the fifth-most in team history.
Pulisic has also had a successful club career, playing for teams like Borussia Dortmund and Chelsea. He has won several individual awards, including the US Soccer Male Player of the Year award in 2017, 2019, and 2021.
2. Clint Dempsey
Dempsey began his professional career with the New England Revolution in 2004, before moving to the English Premier League with Fulham in 2007. He quickly established himself as a key player for the London club, scoring 50 goals in 184 appearances across all competitions.
Dempsey’s success at Fulham earned him a move to Tottenham Hotspur in 2012, where he scored 12 goals in 43 appearances. He returned to the MLS in 2013, signing with the Seattle Sounders, where he spent the remainder of his career before retiring in 2018.
Dempsey’s international career was equally impressive. He scored 57 goals in 141 appearances for the USMNT, making him the joint-top scorer in the team’s history alongside Landon Donovan. Dempsey played in three World Cups for the USMNT and was a key player in their run to the Round of 16 in the 2014 tournament.
Dempsey’s technical ability and goal-scoring prowess make him one of the greatest USMNT players of all time.
1. Landon Donovan
Landon Donovan is widely considered to be the greatest American soccer player of all time. He played for the USMNT from 2000 to 2014, scoring 57 goals and providing 58 assists in 157 appearances.
Donovan’s international success includes three World Cup appearances and four Gold Cup titles. He scored five goals in the 2002 World Cup, including a memorable goal against Mexico in the Round of 16. In 2010, Donovan scored a dramatic stoppage-time winner against Algeria to send the USMNT into the knockout stage of the World Cup.
Donovan also had a successful club career, playing for teams such as Bayer Leverkusen, LA Galaxy, and Everton. He won six MLS Cups with the LA Galaxy and was named the MLS MVP in 2009 and 2011. Donovan is also considered the best MLS player of all-time.
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