Best American Soccer Players of All Time
While soccer isn’t the top sport in the U.S., the country has produced some of the best American soccer players who’ve left a mark on both the national and international stage. From legends like Landon Donovan and Tim Howard to modern stars like Christian Pulisic, these athletes have excelled with the United States national team, competed in World Cups, and found success in top leagues like the Premier League and UEFA Champions League.
Many of these players built their careers in Major League Soccer, America’s highest level soccer league, with clubs like LA Galaxy and New York Red Bulls, earning MLS Cups, international goals, and spots in the national soccer hall of fame. In this blog post I will be going over the best American soccer players of all time in no particular order.
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Brad Friedel
Brad Friedel is an American goalkeeper who played for the United States Men’s National Team from 1992 to 2005 and was involved in three World Cups. Friedel had apart from his international tenure a successful club career as well, playing for various teams in the English Premier League such as Blackburn Rovers, Aston Villa, and Tottenham Hotspurs.
According to SportsLoci, Friedel holds the record for the most consecutive appearances by any Premier League player, with 380 appearances and is regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the history of American soccer.
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Tab Ramos
Tab Ramos is a retired American soccer player who played as a central midfielder for various teams in Spain, Mexico, and USA. Ramos was the first player ever in MLS history to be signed, before the league event started, in 1995, Ramos put pen to paper for the MetroStard. He also played for the United States national team for over a decade becoming one of the team’s most important players during the 1990s.
Ramos was known for his technical skills and his ability to control the pace of the game. After retiring from playing, he became a successful coach in the United States.
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Demarcus Beasley
Demarcus Beasley is a retired American soccer player who played as a left-back. He played for the United States National Team for over a decade and was a part of the team that reached the quarter-finals of the 2002 World Cup, in that historical run by the USMNT.
Beasley was known for his speed and agility, which made him a difficult player to defend against and get past on the defensive line. He also had a successful club career, playing for teams in the English Premier League, the Scottish Premiership, and the MLS.
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Claudio Reyna
Claudio Reyna is a retired American soccer player who played as a central midfielder and he is the father of current USMNT player Gio Reyna. He played for the United States National Team for over a decade, was team captain during the 2002 World Cup, and he is one of the most celebrated players in USMNT history with 112 caps to his name.
Reyna was known for his vision and passing ability on the field. He had a successful club career, playing for various teams in Europe such as Rangers and Manchester City before moving to the New York Red Bulls and finishing his career in the United States.
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Weston Mckennie
Weston Mckennie is a current American soccer player who plays as central or defensive midfielder. He currently plays for Juventus in the Italian Serie A and is arguably one of the best players on the team.
Mckennie has quickly made a name for himself in the sport, and his versatility on the field has made him an essential player for both his club and the United States national team.
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Brian McBride
Brian McBride is a retired American soccer player who played as a forward. McBride was known for his physicality and his ability to score goals with his head, which allowed him to play for the United States National Team for over a decade and scored 30 international goals.
He had a successful club career, playing for teams in the English Premier League, such as Fulham and Everton, before finishing his career with Chicago Fire of the MLS.
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Tim Howard
Tim Howard is another retired American goalkeeper who is a legend to all American fans. Throughout his international career, Howard was part of three World Cup teams, he became the most capped American goalkeeper in history, and holds a World Cup record for most saves in a single World Cup match.
Howard did not only have a successful international career, but a successful club career as well, playing for teams in the English Premier League, such as Manchester United and Everton, and Colorado Rapids of the MLS.
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Michael Bradley
Michael Bradley is a retired American soccer player who played as a central or defensive midfielder and he recently retired in 2023. Bradley was part of the US National Team from the U17 level and once he reached the senior level, he became captain of his country from 2015 until he retired.
Bradley played in two World Cups, scored 17 goals, and had 151 caps for his country, the third of any American player in history. Bradley was known for his passing ability and his vision on the field which allowed him to have a successful club career, playing for teams in Italy, Germany, England, and the MLS.
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Christian Pulisic
Christian Pulisic is a current American soccer player who plays as a winger and his skills and leadership have earned him the nickname of “Captain America.” He currently plays for AC Milan in the Serie A and when he was playing with Chelsea during the 2020/21 season, he became the first American player to win the Champions league.
Pulisic has quickly become one of the most exciting young players in the sport, and his speed and dribbling ability have made him a fan favorite especially in the CONCACAF region of FIFA. At such a young age, Pulisic has already contributed so much to American soccer and the USMNT that it is safe to say that he will become a legend of his country, even though he is already regarded as one by many fans.
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Clint Dempsey
Clint Dempsey is a retired American soccer player who played as a striker and midfielder and he is currently a sports analyst for CBS. Some of Dempsey’s most memorable feats include being the fourth most capped player in U.S history, with 141 caps, being the top joint scorer of the USMNT alongside Landon Donovan, and scoring goals at three different World Cups.
Dempsey had successful careers at both the club and international level, scoring 57 goals for both Fulham and Tottenham of the English Premier League, as well as 57 goals for the USMNT. After his time in Europe, he returned to the MLS and scored over 70 goals for the New England Revolution and the Seattle Sounders.
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Landon Donovan
Landon Donovan is a retired American soccer player who played as a center forward and he is considered one of the greatest, if not the greatest, American soccer player of all time. Donovan is the most capped U.S soccer player with 157 appearances for his country and he is the top joint scorer of the USMNT alongside Clint Dempsey with 57 goals.
Donova’s playing career includes joining teams such as the San Jose Earthquakes and LA Galaxy of the MLS, as well as top European teams such as Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern Munich, and Everton. In the MLS, Donovas stands as the league’s top assist leader, with 136, and he stands among the top three goal scorers of the league.
At the international level, Donovan is remembered for scoring three goals during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Summary
In this blog post, we highlight the best American soccer players of all time—icons who have made a lasting impact on the United States national team and on the international stage. From legends like Landon Donovan, Tim Howard, and Brad Friedel to modern stars like Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie, these athletes have competed in World Cups, led top Major League Soccer clubs, and play in elite European leagues like the Premier League and Serie A.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the best player in American soccer history?
Many consider Landon Donovan the best American soccer player, with a record six MLS Cups, 57 international goals, and appearances in three different World Cups. He was a standout for LA Galaxy, the United States national team, and earned his place in the National Soccer Hall of Fame.
Who is one of the greatest female soccer players in the United States?
Mia Hamm is one of the greatest female soccer players in American soccer history, winning two FIFA Women’s World Cups and two Olympic gold medals. She scored 158 international goals and helped shape women’s soccer on the international stage.
Who has the most international goals scored for the USA Senior National Team?
Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey are tied with 57 goals for the USA Senior National Team, leading all American players in international goals scored. Dempsey also starred in the Premier League with Fulham and played in three World Cups.
Who is the most famous soccer head coach of the USA senior team in American history?
Bruce Arena is the most well-known head coach in American soccer history, leading the senior national team to the World Cup quarterfinals in 2002. He also won multiple MLS Cups with LA Galaxy and New York Red Bulls.
