25 best American-born men’s soccer players of all time

The New Jersey native debuted on the skilled stage for the New York Red Bulls in 2006, and has additionally performed for membership groups in Spain, Turkey, England, Netherlands and Mexico. A member of the 2010 and 2014 United States’ World Cup groups, Altidore ranks third amongst all American aim scorers on the worldwide stage with 42. He additionally ranks among the many nation’s leaders with 115 profession appearances for the nationwide squad. One of the extra energetic and passionate players in U.S. soccer historical past, Altidore is named being one of the extra bodily strikers to play the sport.

Many have come and gone in sporting the United States men’s nationwide workforce equipment, however Bahr has stood the take a look at of time in terms of the legends of American soccer. For years, Bahr captained the nationwide workforce, and he assisted on Joe Gaetjens’ memorable aim in the course of the United States’ 1-0 upset victory over England in the course of the 1950 World Cup. Bahr performed for the nationwide membership from 1948-57, and was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 1976. Two of his three sons, Matt and Chris, had been effective skilled soccer players, and even higher place-kickers within the NFL.

The free-flowing lengthy hair may need been Balboa’s trademark, however he was additionally greater than a good footballer. Born in Chicago, however basically raised in Southern California, Balboa posted greater than 120 caps for the USMNT, which he captained throughout his profession, and have become the primary American to make 100 worldwide appearances. A standout on the backline for the 1990 and ’94 U.S. World Cup groups, Balboa, who performed in MLS and Mexico’s Liga MX, registered 13 targets en path to incomes a spot within the National Soccer Hall of Fame.

The solely American male to play in 4 World Cup groups (2002-’14), the not too long ago inducted National Soccer Hall of Famer recorded 126 caps for the U.S. men’s nationwide soccer workforce. He scored 17 targets within the course of. Meanwhile, when it got here to the membership stage, Beasley performed within the Netherlands, Mexico, Germany, England, and, most prominently, was a five-time MLS All-Star whereas a member of the Chicago Fire and Houston Dynamo. Beasley retired from skilled play in 2019, concluding a stellar taking part in profession that started whereas starring for the U.S. Under-17 squad.

Another captain of the UNMNT, Bocanegra has starred on each stage he performed. From making a reputation for himself as an all-time nice at UCLA within the late Nineties to twice being honored MLS Defender of the Year to posting 110 appearances and 14 targets for the nationwide workforce. In addition to his membership success in MLS, Bocanegra additionally performed professionally in England, Scotland, France and Spain. He’s additionally discovered success within the sport post-playing days. As of 2023, Bocanegra was technical director and vp for MLS aspect Atlanta United.

As of 2023, Bradley, half of an important American soccer household, was nonetheless going robust in MLS whereas in his mid-30s. Also a former captain of the USMNT, Bradley has performed in two World Cups and recorded 17 targets whereas sporting 151 worldwide appearances for the U.S. (third-most all-time by any American). In addition to his nationwide workforce and MLS service time, the place he gained a championship with Toronto FC in 2017, Bradley has performed in some of the world’s most prestigious membership divisions like Eredivisie, Bundesliga, the English Premier League and Serie A.

With greater than 108 nationwide workforce caps, Caligiuri was recognized for his stellar defensive prowess within the midfield. That stated, one of his 5 worldwide targets is among the many most celebrated in American soccer historical past. In November 1989, Caligiuri was chargeable for the one rating (Dubbed the “Shot heard ’round the world.”) in the United States’ 1-0 victory over Trinidad and Tobago to qualify for the 1990 World Cup. In that occasion, Caligiuri additionally scored the Americans’ first World Cup aim since 1950. In addition to these USMNT moments, the Hall of Famer performed professionally in Germany and MLS.

One of the true stars of American soccer, Dempsey shined each for membership and nation. On the worldwide stage, Dempsey ranks fourth amongst Americans with 141 caps (from 2004-17), and his 57 targets are tied for probably the most by a U.S. participant. When it got here to membership ball, Dempsey recorded 57 targets between Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur of the English Premier League, which was sandwiched between stints in MLS for New England and Seattle, the place he mixed for greater than 70 targets. Dempsey, who scored in three totally different World Cups for the U.S., was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2022.

So, who shares the U.S. document for worldwide targets with the aforementioned Clint Dempsey? That could be Donovan, an icon of American soccer. Donovan’s 157 caps from 2000-14 additionally rank second amongst U.S. internationals. ESPN even named Donovan the best American soccer participant of all time. He was named U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year 4 occasions, gained six MLS Cups and is that league’s all-time chief with 136 assists, and among the many prime three with 145 profession targets. Donovan, who scored 3 times in the course of the 2010 World Cup, is one of three Americans to publish a aim in a couple of of these occasions.

One of probably the most reliable performers, not solely in American soccer historical past, however within the recreation itself. Friedel’s closing skilled recreation was simply days previous his fortieth birthday in May 2011, whereas suiting up for Aston Villa of the English Premier League. In reality, his 310 consecutive EPL match appearances is a document. Friedel, who additionally performed in Denmark, Turkey and MLS’ Columbus Crew, manned the USMNT internet greater than 80 occasions (1992-2005) throughout his storied profession, and was half of three World Cup sides for the Americans.

The longtime, standout midfield staple and captain for the USMNT (greater than 85 worldwide appearances from 1987-2000), Harkes has the excellence of being the primary American to play within the English Premier League, as a member of Sheffield Wednesday, starting in 1990. He additionally spent high quality time in MLS with D.C. United, New England and Columbus. A member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame, Harkes was half of two U.S. World Cup squads, and scored six worldwide targets throughout his sensible taking part in profession.

Fierce, decided and passionate — just some phrases to explain the venerable Tim Howard. No goalkeeper in U.S. soccer historical past has made extra worldwide appearances than Howard’s 121 from 2002-17. When we speak about American soccer royalty and a real fan favourite, Howard, who was half of three World Cup groups, is up there with the likes of Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey. Meanwhile, on the membership stage, Howard made practically 330 appearances for Everton, the place the New Jersey native is among the many most outstanding non-English figures to play within the Premier League. 

Beginning in 2004, the Florida native spent practically a full decade representing the United States on worldwide stage, and was half of the 2006 World Cup workforce. As of July 2023, Johnson ranked within the prime 10 amongst all American players with 19 worldwide targets. While Johnson performed professionally in England and Greece, he spent a majority of these taking part in days in MLS, the place he tallied greater than 60 targets whereas taking part in for FC Dallas, Kansas City, Seattle and D.C. United. He was named MLS Comeback Player of the Year in 2007 and 2012.

Another title synonymous with American soccer, Jones is the all-time U.S. chief with 164 worldwide caps. He additionally scored greater than 12 targets whereas starring for the USMNT from 1991-2004. Jones was one of the early stars of Major League Soccer within the U.S. after spending time taking part in professionally in England and Brazil. He posted 70 targets and gained two MLS Cups throughout his stellar 11-season run with the Los Angeles Galaxy. The Hall of Famer was then half of the Galaxy teaching employees earlier than having fun with a profitable profession within the broadcast sales space.

One of three American keepers to document greater than 100 caps for the nationwide workforce, Keller was half of 4 World Cup rosters from 1990-2007. That longevity helped Keller grow to be one of probably the most reliable and revered performers within the historical past of American soccer. The Hall of Famer was named U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year in 1997, 1999 and 2005. Though Keller started and ended his skilled membership profession taking part in within the States, he’s thought-about the primary American goalkeeper to characteristic prominently in elite European leagues Bundesliga, English Premier League and La Liga.

Another iconic determine in American soccer, Lalas was not solely recognized for his prolonged facial hair and wild coiffure — he is additionally thought-about one of the best defenders to ever play the sport. Lalas posted greater than 90 caps whereas taking part in for the USMNT from 1991-98, and in addition recorded 10 targets in the course of the course of. A member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame, Lalas was the primary American to play in Italy’s top-tier Serie A division earlier than having fun with a profitable MLS profession, the place he gained a championship with the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2002.

Another nice American aim scorer. The Oklahoma native and former UCLA standout, Moore recorded 100 caps as a global from 1993-2001. Meanwhile, his 24 targets rank among the many prime 10 by all American players. Moore’s 4 targets in opposition to El Salvador from 1993 are tied for probably the most in American historical past. He was a member of three U.S. World Cup groups (1994, 1998, 2002) and took half within the 1992 Summer Olympics. Moore performed in Germany to start his skilled membership profession, which additionally included stops in Ecuador, England and MLS, the place he scored 90 targets for New England from 1996-99. Moore was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2013.

Not solely did Meola take pleasure in a protracted and profitable taking part in profession for membership and nation, however he is lengthy been an important ambassador for the sport. Another American keeper with at the very least 100 worldwide caps, Meola was a member of U.S. World Cup groups in 1990, 1994 and 2002. On the membership stage, Meola’s best success got here in MLS, the place the New Jersey native was an area favourite for the NY/NJ MetroStars, and gained a championship with Kansas City in 2000, when he was additionally named MLS MVP. Meola needs to be considered the primary true star American goalkeeper, paving the way in which for the likes of the aforementioned Brad Friedel, Kasey Keller and Tim Howard to shine.

Hailing from suburban Chicago, McBride was a pure scorer who notched 30 targets for the United States nationwide workforce whereas making greater than 90 appearances from 1993-2006. McBride was a member of three U.S. World Cup squads (1998, 2002, 2006) and inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2014. During a profitable membership profession in Europe and America, McBride turned a fan favourite whereas taking part in for Fulham throughout the pond in between MLS stints with Columbus and his hometown Chicago Fire. 

Pope’s tenacity was a trademark of his play on the backline, which included greater than 80 appearances for the U.S. nationwide workforce, a tenure that started in late 1996 and lasted practically a full decade. Pope additionally loved a prolonged MLS profession (1996-2007), starring principally for D.C. United, the place he gained three championships (1996, ’97 and ’99) and was named the league’s defender of the 12 months in 1997. Pope, who has remained an important half of rising MLS following his taking part in days, was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2011.

The present celebrity of U.S. soccer, Pulisic debuted on the nationwide stage in 2012, as half of the Under-15 squad. Since then, he is totaled 47 targets spanning simply over 100 caps. An spectacular 25 targets have come by means of 60 appearances on the senior stage. Known as “Captain America,” it is truthful to say Pulisic is probably the most gifted participant, from a pure abilities standpoint, on this record — or that America has ever produced. He totaled 30 targets whereas taking part in for European giants Borussia Dortmund and Chelsea, and now is able to showcase for AC Milan. Only in his mid-20s, Pulisic has already been named U.S. Soccer Male Athlete of the Year 3 times.

One of most celebrated American players of all time, Reyna recorded 112 caps for the nationwide workforce from 1994-2006. He was half of 4 World Cup, three CONCACAF Gold Cup and two U.S. Olympic groups. On the membership stage, Reyna spent most of his skilled profession taking part in in Germany, Scotland and England earlier than ending up with a quick stint on New York Red Bulls. However, Reyna stayed in MLS through government roles with New York City FC and Austin FC. He was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2012.

Yet one other product of New Jersey, the American hotbed of soccer. Though Vermes’ time on the nationwide workforce wasn’t as prolonged as others on this record, he posted 11 targets spanning 66 appearances in the course of the Nineties. Following a stable profession taking part in in Europe, Vermes established himself as one of the best backline abilities in MLS historical past. In 2000, he was named MLS Defender of the Year whereas serving to Kansas City win the league championship. As of 2023 season, the Hall of Famer is the longest-active supervisor in MLS whereas persevering with to information Sporting Kansas City.

Long lauded for his sensational footwork with the ball, Wynalda preceded the likes of Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan when it got here to goal-scoring prowess. His 34 targets whereas taking part in greater than 100 video games with the nationwide workforce presently rank fourth all time. Wynalda was additionally among the many first American players to take pleasure in success taking part in membership ball in Europe. From 1992-’94, he scored 34 targets for Germany’s 1. FC Saarbrücken. The Hall of Famer ultimately made his method to MLS, the place he spent time within the late Nineties and into the 2000s.

A more moderen American star, Zimmerman has registered 42 worldwide caps from 2017 as much as 2023, and was half of the 2022 U.S. World Cup workforce. Another standout product from UCLA, Zimmerman has loved a profitable profession in MLS. The All-Star really got here into his personal with Los Angeles FC, after which gained back-to-back Defender of the Year awards in 2020 and ’21 because the anchor of Nashville SC’s backline. In addition to his physicality within the opponents’ defensive-third, the 6-foot-3 Zimmerman is an offensive pressure within the field through set items.