The very best USA gamers of all time nonetheless maintain nearly each report for the USMNT years after they retired, and the subsequent technology is failing to maintain up.
With all eyes on the disappointing Group Stage exit of the USMNT at Copa America 2024, many followers are evaluating the present technology of American soccer gamers to the all time greats. The previous superstars won’t have main worldwide silverware, however they carried out for each their golf equipment and nation on among the largest levels in soccer. Conversations about essentially the most impactful gamers for the Stars and Stripes all the time function the identical names.
Take a look at the 5 finest USA soccer gamers in historical past.
5. Christian Pulisic
Christian Pulisic is the chief of the present USMNT. At simply 25 years previous, Pulisic already has the sixth most objectives scored for the Stars and Stripes (30), and is simply 12 away from leaping all the way in which to the third most behind the 2 best gamers to ever characterize the USA. He’s simply the very best playmaker on the USMNT, and is usually carrying his nation to victory.
Pulisic turned the primary America man to play in a Champions League last when Chelsea defeated Manchester Metropolis. He additionally has two CONCACAF Nations League trophies to his title. The present USMNT captain shall be anticipated to assist the USA make a press release on the 2026 World Cup.
4. Tim Howard
Whether or not you rank Tim Howard or Brad Friedel as the very best American goalkeeper, it goes with out saying that each are two of the very best to ever play for the USA at any place. Actually, Howard’s efforts towards Belgium within the 2014 World Cup is without doubt one of the most memorable performances of any American participant within the match’s historical past. Howard’s 16 saves within the Spherical of 16 continues to be essentially the most ever in a World Cup match.
The keeper additionally had a formidable profession with Everton within the Premier League that culminated in over 300 matches and even one spotlight reel-worthy purpose.
3. Brad Friedel
Brad Friedel spent most of his profession in Europe, enjoying for Blackburn Rovers, Aston Villa, Tottenham, and Liverpool, making 586 complete appearances on the membership degree in England alone. The keeper discovered long-term success abroad, one thing not many American gamers have the posh of claiming, nevertheless it was his performances for his nation that make him one of many USA’s finest.
Friedel cemented his legacy on the 2002 World Cup when he saved a penalty towards South Korea and one other towards Portugal to ship the USA to the Spherical of 16.
2. Clint Dempsey
Clint Dempsey’s profession speaks for itself. Together with Landon Donovan, Dempsey is the joint prime goalscorer for the USA with 57 objectives, a report nobody appears to be breaking anytime quickly. He additionally gained three Gold Cups (2005, 2007, and 2017), and earned the highest goalscorer on the 2015 Gold Cup. Dempsey even delivered on the most important stage of all of them, netting 4 World Cup objectives in simply ten appearances.
Dempsey additionally had a formidable run in Europe at Fulham, turning into the all-time main Premier League goalscorer for the membership with 50 objectives.
1. Landon Donovan
Landon Donovan just isn’t solely the very best MLS participant in historical past, but in addition the very best USA participant of all time. At one level, he held nearly each MLS report attainable, and continues to be the USA’s joint prime goalscorer with 57 objectives. Donovan additionally nonetheless has essentially the most assists in USMNT historical past with 58 in his 157 appearances.
The previous captain is a six-time MLS Cup Champion, together with 4 with L.A. Galaxy, and likewise a four-time Gold Cup winner with the USA in 2002, 2005, 2007, and 2013.
