For a long time, the U.S was seen as a soccer outsider, a nation more obsessed with touchdowns and home runs than goals and offsides.
However, times have changed! The beautiful game has truly taken root, and over the decades, we’ve seen some incredible talents emerge from the American landscape.
These players did not just compete; they broke barriers, won trophies, and printed their names into the history books, inspiring countless young USMNT players along the way.
So, who are the absolute best of the best?
It’s a tough call, with so many legends to choose from. But we’ve put our heads together, sifted through the stats, and recalled those unforgettable moments to bring you our definitive list of the top 20 U.S. soccer players in history.
- 20. Gio Reyna
- 19. Michael Bradley
- 18. Earnie Stewart
- 17. Eric Wynalda
- 16. Kasey Keller
- 15. Brian McBride
- 14. John O’Brien
- 13. Steve Cherundolo
- 12. Carlos Bocanegra
- 11. DaMarcus Beasley
- 10. Tim Howard
- 9. Marcelo Balboa
- 8. Tab Ramos
- 7. Cobi Jones
- 6. Eddie Pope
- 5. Claudio Reyna
- 4. Brad Friedel
- 3. Clint Dempsey
- 2. Landon Donovan
- 1. Christian Pulisic
20. Gio Reyna
At just 22, Gio Reyna’s inclusion might seem premature, but his talent is undeniable. Son of U.S. legend Claudio Reyna, Gio inherited more than just good genes; he’s got vision, control, and a footballing IQ well beyond his years.
Dubbed a “taller Iniesta” by former Dortmund coach Marco Rose, Reyna dazzled in Germany with his first touch and passing range.
Injuries and a tough stint at Nottingham Forest have stalled his rise, but if he finds form and fitness, Reyna could very well become the greatest U.S. player ever.
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19. Michael Bradley
A general in midfield and a stalwart for club and country, he carved out a distinguished career both in Europe and back in the MLS.
The son of former USMNT coach Bob Bradley, Michael debuted with the MetroStars as a teenager before embarking on a European journey that took him to the Netherlands (Heerenveen), Germany (Borussia Mönchengladbach), England (Aston Villa), and Italy (AS Roma).
He returned to North America in 2014, becoming the face of Toronto FC, where he captained them to a historic treble in 2017, winning the Supporters’ Shield, Canadian Championship, and their first-ever MLS Cup.
He earned 151 caps with the national team and lifted the CONCACAF Gold Cup twice, embodying consistency and professionalism.
18. Earnie Stewart
He might not be a household name to younger fans, but his contributions were immense.
Born in the Netherlands to an American father, Stewart spent nearly his entire club career in Dutch football, amassing 111 goals and becoming the top-scoring American in European competition.
Versatile, quick, and intelligent, Stewart could play as a striker or winger and was known for his tactical acumen. He represented the U.S. at three World Cups and helped bridge the gap between the old guard and the new era of American soccer.
17. Eric Wynalda
Eric Wynalda was a trailblazer. Long before it was common for American players to succeed overseas, Wynalda played in Germany and became one of the first U.S. stars to break barriers abroad.
He scored 34 goals in 106 appearances for the USMNT, including a thunderous 30-yard free-kick against Switzerland at the 1994 World Cup, America’s first goal in a World Cup since 1950.
It was a symbolic moment that ignited belief in the U.S. soccer project.
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16. Kasey Keller
American goalkeepers have a strong tradition, and Kasey Keller is one of the cornerstones. If you’re a Leicester City fan, you’ll remember him as the young American sensation whose incredible saves helped them win the League Cup in 1997.
Seattle Sounders fans will recall him as a veteran who captained their team in its early MLS days, leading them to three U.S. Open Cups and helping establish them as a powerhouse in the league.
For the USMNT, Keller is carved in memory for one specific performance: his absolute masterclass against Brazil in the semifinals of the 1998 Gold Cup.
He shut out the mighty Brazilians with a display that the legendary Romario himself called “the greatest performance by a goalkeeper I have ever seen.” When Romario says that, you know it’s special.
15. Brian McBride
Brian McBride had one of the best and funniest nicknames in soccer history: “McHead.” Why? Because his last name is McBride, and he was unbelievably good at heading the ball. Simple, effective, and perfectly descriptive.
He was the very first player picked in the inaugural MLS draft back in 1996, and he didn’t just find success at home or with the U.S. Men’s National Team.
He also made a real name for himself in the Premier League, first with Everton and then, most notably, with Fulham.
He bagged 41 goals in four-and-a-half seasons there, becoming such a beloved figure that before the stadium was renovated, there was a bar named after him inside Craven Cottage.
Anyone up for a McPint?
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14. John O’Brien
John O’Brien is one of those players who, tragically, had his career cut short by injuries, but whose talent was truly extraordinary. He was one of the first Americans to earn a starting spot with a major European team – not just any team, but the mighty Ajax.
Between 1999 and 2005, he made 83 appearances and won two league titles with them. That’s serious company.
He had incredible technical ability, amazing vision, and a composure on the ball that made him stand out for both club and country.
Landon Donovan, no less, called him the “best soccer player in the USA” at his peak in 2006. Imagine what he could have achieved if his body had held up.
13. Steve Cherundolo
A USMNT legend who never played a single game in MLS. Instead, he spent his entire professional career in Germany, a path that’s become more common for young American players these days.
He was a true one-club man, dedicating himself to Hannover 96.
They called him “The Mayor of Hannover,” and for good reason. He played a massive part in helping the club get promoted to the Bundesliga in 2002, bringing them back to the top flight for the first time since the 1980s.
He then went on to set a club record with 302 Bundesliga appearances before retiring in 2014. Fluent in German and adored by the fans, this Illinois-born defender was a trailblazer, both on and off the field.
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12. Carlos Bocanegra
Bocanegra was the rock-solid, reliable presence holding everything together at the back. He was the longest-serving captain in USMNT history, and you can see why.
He was fast, strong in the air, but also had that uncanny positional awareness that allowed him to succeed in Europe during a time when many other American outfield players struggled to make their mark.
He was the kind of defender every team dreams of having – a true leader by example.
11. DaMarcus Beasley
He essentially had two incredible careers rolled into one. In his first act, he was a blistering winger, using his lightning pace and ability to bamboozle defenders to win league titles with PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands and Rangers in Scotland.
He also represented the USMNT at three World Cups during this time.
Then came a stroke of genius from former USA coach Jürgen Klinsmann, who transitioned Beasley to a full-back. This move wasn’t just smart; it was revolutionary.
It allowed Beasley to extend his domestic career by almost a decade and, even more impressively, earned him the record of being the only player in USMNT history to play at four World Cups.
10. Tim Howard
“It will take a nation of millions to hold me back,” an 18-year-old Tim Howard wrote in his high school yearbook, a nod to his favorite rap group, Public Enemy.
Little did he know, those words would become an eerie prophecy. Fast forward to the 2014 World Cup, and his stunning performance against Belgium in the quarterfinals became legendary. He made a record-breaking 16 saves that day, a display of defiance against an entire nation.
Belgium, with nearly 12 million people, eventually won, but Howard’s performance remains one of the greatest in World Cup history. It truly took a whole country to beat him.
He was more than just a one-game wonder.
He’s a Premier League legend, having valiantly manned the goal for both Manchester United and Everton on almost 500 occasions.
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9. Marcelo Balboa
With his signature mullet and mustache, Marcelo Balboa was hard to miss, but it was his game that really stood out.
And he wasn’t a bad player either!
He was the first player to reach 100 caps for the U.S. Men’s National Team, and he was ahead of his time in many ways. He valued technical skill and composure on the ball over just brute strength, which was pretty revolutionary for an American defender back then.
He was an elegant player who could pick a pass and wasn’t afraid to get stuck in.
8. Tab Ramos
Tab Ramos’s career, though sadly cut short by a series of brutal injuries, was undeniably impactful. He was a fleet-footed midfield maestro, born in Uruguay, who first made his mark in Spain with Figueres and Real Betis.
Then, in 1995, he made history by becoming Major League Soccer’s first-ever signing, joining the MetroStars.
Ramos played seven seasons for the club (now known as the New York Red Bulls), earning MLS All-Star honors three times.
Beyond his club success, he represented the U.S. Men’s National Team at three World Cups and was even named to the CONCACAF Team of the Century in 1998, cementing his place as a true US soccer icon.
7. Cobi Jones
No player in USMNT history has pulled on that iconic red, white, and occasionally denim jersey more times than Cobi Jones. He earned an amazing 164 caps between 1992 and 2004.
Even though he was relatively small in stature, Jones was a feisty and tenacious player.
He was also incredibly versatile, able to play anywhere across the midfield or even up front for both the national team and the LA Galaxy, where he also holds the record for most appearances.
A true workhorse and a legend of the game.
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6. Eddie Pope
Eddie Pope was the definition of quiet confidence. Unassuming, but athletic, intelligent, and with an abundance of technical skill, he was hailed as one of the most complete defenders America has ever produced during his playing days, which were spent entirely in MLS.
He won three MLS Cups with DC United, was named an MLS All-Star four times, and even made the league’s All-Time Best XI in 2005.
For the USMNT, he started every single one of the 82 games he played between 1996 and 2006, playing a key role in Bruce Arena’s side’s historic run to the quarterfinals of the 2002 World Cup.
5. Claudio Reyna
Claudio Reyna was one of the very first American outfield players to carve out a successful career abroad. He was a smooth operator in midfield, perhaps thanks to being born and raised in Argentina, which gave him an abundance of flair and technical quality.
He had solid spells in Germany with Bayer Leverkusen and Wolfsburg, in England with Sunderland and Manchester City, and in Scotland with Rangers.
He was also a star for his country, playing in three World Cups for the USMNT, including their incredible run to the quarterfinals in 2002.
He was even named in the Team of the Tournament that year, alongside legends like Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, and Miroslav Klose.
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4. Brad Friedel
He’s a Premier League legend, and his biggest claim to fame is simply mind-boggling: no player in the division’s history has ever made as many consecutive appearances as Friedel.
He played 310 in a row for Blackburn Rovers, Aston Villa, and Tottenham Hotspur between August 2004 and October 2012.
He also kept playing until he was 42 years old!
To play that often, for that long, at such a high level, you have to be pretty darn good. Brad Friedel was just that.
3. Clint Dempsey
Clint Dempsey was pure grit, swagger, and brilliance. He played like he had something to prove every minute—a product of Texas tenacity and street soccer smarts.
Dempsey scored 57 goals for the U.S. Men’s National Team, tying Donovan for the all-time lead, and represented the U.S. at three World Cups.
In the Premier League, he became Fulham’s all-time leading scorer and was the first American to score a hat-trick in the league.
Whether it was a backheel flick, a screamer from outside the box, or a goal with his chest, Dempsey made fans believe that American players could be world-class, not just hopefuls, but headliners.
2. Landon Donovan
The golden boy of U.S. soccer, Landon Donovan, was the face of the sport in America for over a decade.
With 145 caps, 57 goals, and 58 assists, he remains the USMNT’s all-time leading assist provider and second in goals.
He shone at the 2002 and 2010 World Cups and is immortalized for his dramatic stoppage-time goal against Algeria. Domestically, he led the LA Galaxy to multiple MLS Cups and has the league MVP trophy named in his honor.
1. Christian Pulisic
And finally, at number one, we have the player who, despite being just 25 years old, has already surpassed the club-level achievements of any American soccer player before him: Christian Pulisic.
He has inspired the U.S. Men’s National Team to three CONCACAF Nations League titles and has set several records, including becoming the youngest captain in the national team’s history in 2018 at just 20 years old.
It’s difficult to argue that “Captain America” doesn’t deserve this top spot.
He’s played for and won trophies with three of Europe’s biggest clubs – Borussia Dortmund, Chelsea, and AC Milan. He won the Champions League trophy with Chelsea in 2021, an unparalleled feat for an American man.
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