There's a belief that soccer – or football if you're from a place where that term is more commonly used – isn't as highly regarded as other sports in the United States. Additionally, the talent pool is often perceived as unimpressive considering the country's size. However, that's not entirely accurate, especially considering that the men's national team has reached the knockout stages in four of the last eight World Cups. Several standout players from the U.S. national team have certainly captivated fans. They are surely names that Wintips admin will mention in the article "Top 10 best American soccer players" right below.
Best American soccer players ever - Top 10
1/ Christian Pulisic
At just 23 years old, Christian Pulisic has emerged as one of the most prominent male soccer players in American sports. This remains true even though he has yet to produce any truly memorable moments while representing the U.S. national team. Pulisic is currently best known for one of the biggest disappointments in U.S. soccer—a crucial missed opportunity in 2018, which contributed to the U.S. failing to qualify for the World Cup in Russia.
However, his club achievements have sparked hope and even confidence that Pulisic could deliver memorable moments in a U.S. jersey. The pride of Hershey, Pennsylvania, has won the prestigious UEFA Champions League title with Chelsea. Pulisic, who led the United States to the 2019–2020 CONCACAF Nations League title, is still waiting for his defining international moment.
2/ DaMarcus Beasley - Best American soccer players
Beasley has captivated fans across the country with an enduring international career. Having spent years playing for Dutch club PSV, Scottish club Rangers, German club Hannover, and Mexican club Puebla, along with a loan spell at Manchester City, Beasley has experienced success at various levels of the game.
He has bolstered his professional career with extended stints with MLS clubs, including Chicago Fire and Houston Dynamo, winning the U.S. Open Cup three times. But Beasley's finest moments undoubtedly came while representing the U.S. national team.
3/ Claudio Reyna
Born to Argentine parents, Claudio Reyna became a defining figure in American soccer throughout his career. Despite receiving offers from European clubs early in his career, Reyna opted to play college soccer at the University of Virginia under coach Bruce Arena, where he won the prestigious MAC Hermann Trophy as the nation's top college player.
This decision led Reyna to a stellar club career, including stints with German clubs Bayer Leverkusen and Wolfsburg, Scottish giants Rangers, and English clubs Sunderland and Manchester City before concluding his career with the New York Red Bulls. While Reyna's career was plagued by injuries that often prevented him from playing consistently, he still made a significant impact wherever he played.
4/ Brian McBride - One of the best American soccer players
A fearless competitor, Brian McBride is renowned for giving his all on the field. After seven years with the Columbus Crew, McBride moved to Fulham, where he became a club legend in just four years. His name is now honored at a restaurant and bar within Fulham's Craven Cottage grounds.
As the club's top scorer during the 2006/07 Premier League season, he earned the captain’s armband. After recovering from a horrific knee injury, he played a crucial role in rescuing the club, scoring three goals in the dramatic relegation battle of 2007/08, a battle famously referred to by the club as "The Great Escape."
5/ Michael Bradley
At his peak, Michael Bradley was the driving force behind the United States team, whose relentless energy wore down opponents until he delivered the knockout blow with one of his trademark long-range passes.
As a midfield maestro, Bradley is one of just three Americans who have reached 150 caps for the national team. He enjoyed a successful career in Europe, playing for the German club Borussia Mönchengladbach and the Italian sides Chievo Verona and AS Roma. His time at Roma was the highlight of his career.
Bradley earned his first international cap at 18 and became a vital part of the United States midfield for over a decade. For a long stretch, he was the first name on the team sheet for the national team.
6/ Brad Friedel - Among the best American soccer players
Whether or not you consider him the greatest American goalkeeper, Brad Friedel's contributions to U.S. soccer have undoubtedly cemented him as one of the country's top players. Friedel spent the majority of his club career with Blackburn Rovers, making 288 appearances in eight years.
He also made over 100 appearances for Aston Villa before concluding his career with four years at Tottenham. Friedel was a mainstay in the top flight of English football, retiring with the most Premier League appearances (450) of any North or South American player and ranking second only to Australia's Mark Schwarzer among non-European players.
7/ Tim Howard - One of the best American soccer players
A somewhat controversial choice, Tim Howard is widely regarded as the greatest American goalkeeper. He started his professional career in MLS with the MetroStars, now known as the New York Red Bulls, before making a high-profile move to Manchester United.
During his 45 appearances for the Red Devils, his reputation grew, and he eventually transferred to Everton, where he played for 10 years and made 329 appearances. Howard's international career was equally memorable; he became a key figure for the USMNT and played in two World Cups. His World Cup debut against England in 2010 was a standout performance, helping the United States secure a 1–1 draw.
8/ Clint Dempsey
If there's one word to describe Clint Dempsey, it's "swagger," but that alone doesn't do justice to his exceptional football skills. "Deuce" wasn't always the most consistent player and sometimes struggled to make an impact at both club and international levels. He often needed to adapt to a system to maximize his effectiveness.
But at his peak, Dempsey was unstoppable, tearing through opposing defenses and capitalizing on opportunities. Bruce Arena described Dempsey perfectly with three simple words: "He tries hard."
His stunning goal for Fulham against Juventus in the 2010 Europa League was a defining moment in European football and perfectly captured Dempsey's boldness as a player. At the international level, he scored one of the fastest goals in World Cup history, netting just seconds into the match against Ghana in 2014. He also remains Fulham's all-time top scorer in the Premier League with 50 goals.
9/ Landon Donovan - Among the best American soccer players
Few would dispute that Landon Donovan is the most accomplished male soccer player in U.S. history. He had everything you could ask for in a player: club success, iconic moments with the national team, and career longevity.
Donovan played for the national team in the 2002 World Cup, earning the tournament's Best Young Player award as the United States made a historic run to the quarterfinals. He primarily played for LA Galaxy throughout his club career but had two loan spells at Everton in the Premier League in 2010 and 2012.
Donovan's impact extended beyond his on-field performances; he became a symbol of soccer's growth in the United States. His achievements helped popularize the sport and inspire the next generation of American players.
10/ Coby Jones
Coventry City fans still remember Cobi Jones fondly, despite him spending only a single season at Highfield Road during the 1994/95 campaign. Jones was signed from the U.S. Soccer League, and Coventry became his first experience at a professional club, although he had already made over 30 appearances for his national team—including playing at the 1994 World Cup—before that.
Over the next decade, Jones established himself as one of the greatest players in U.S. men's soccer history, earning 164 caps before retiring from international duty in 2004. He played for LA Galaxy, spending 12 seasons with the club after joining MLS in 1996.
Conclusion
A multitude of outstanding players have delivered memorable moments and spectacular victories over the years. The current generation hopes to build upon that success, but they must work hard to surpass their predecessors, who still rank among the greatest players in U.S. soccer history. In the upcoming articles, the top bookmaker website will bring you more interesting news, so stay tuned.
