When it add up to soccer , the United States does n’t have the same storied history as many of the more glamorous footballing Nation of Europe or South America . Despite that , they have been slowly clawing their direction into relevance over the last three decades . After failing to qualify for every single World Cup between 1954 and 1986 , the United States have been a part of every tournament since Italia ’ 90 . They even host the 1994 World Cup , coinciding with the launching of their own domestic conference , Major League Soccer . While the overall quality of MLS is still lacking behind the top leagues in Europe , it ’s important to remember that those other nation had about a 100 - year pass start on grow players .
That ’s not to say that the U.S. has n’t had any respectable players have on their jersey — quite the opposite . America has produced a numeral of respectable — even great — players over the years , who would probably have got legend position if they had been favorable enough to be behave in Italy , Spain , Brazil , Germany , or Argentina . Instead they are merely adore by the small ( but quickly grow ) segment of Americans who call themselves soccer fan . Here are our plectrum for the great American soccer player ever ( males only , this clip ) .
13. Alexi Lalas
You may recall we only included Alexi Lalas on our list so that we could talk about his glorious hair / goatee jazz group that made his famously recognizable . But that would be a discredit to his on - theater of operations vocation , which was also quite good . Lalas play two time of year for Padova in Serie A before joining MLS in its initiatory 1996 time of year . He played for four different MLS side , culminate in a smattering of silverware with the Los Angeles Galaxy — a U.S. Open Cup in 2001 , and both the Supporter ’s Shield and MLS Cup in 2002 .
On the interior team , Lalas racked up 96 cap ( with 9 goal to kicking , which is n’t bad for a guardian ) . He played every minute of every plot for the U.S. in the 1994 World Cup on home soil and choose as the 1995 U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year by the United States Soccer Federation . These days , Lalas persist involved in the game , work as an analyst for MLS broadcast on FOX Sports .
( AP Photo / Thomas Kienzle )
12. Omar Gonzalez
Omar Gonzales may very well up higher on this list by the meter he hang up the boot . The Dallas , Texas indigene has been a part of the national squad since 2010 and is n’t even 30 - year - sometime yet . He was drafted by the L.A. Galaxy in 2009 and became part of the first team almost straight off , despite being just 19 at the time . Playing alongside the likes of David Beckham , Robbie Keane , and Landon Donovan , Gonzalez was a crucial part of the defense that helped the Galaxy win three MLS Cups in four years ( 2011 , 2012 , 2014 ) .
Gonzalez was such a good guardian that he ended up being the first pure center back to earn a Designated Player contract from an MLS team . in brief after that , he would be sell to Pachuca of Liga MX . where he would avail direct the team to a conference championship in his debut season . The future tense is still very bright .
( AP Photo / Moises Castillo )
11. DeMarcus Beasley
DeMarcus Beasley ’s association football life history has taken him all over the world , playing for squad in MLS , the Netherlands , Scotland , England , Germany and Mexico . He ’s pull ahead a crowd of silverware over the days , admit two U.S. Open Cups , a Supporter ’s Shield , two Eredivisie titles ( plus a KNVB Cup ) , and two Scottish Premier League titles ( plus four little Scottish Cups ) .
On the international side of his biz , the left winger has been a part of four Gold Cup pull ahead sides for the U.S. Even more remarkable is his longevity — he ’s been a part of the home team since 2001 and presently sits seventh in all - clip appearances , adding in 17 goals . He ’s also one of just a short listing of players to appear in four different World Cups ( which happens to include two more Americans , who we ’ll get to shortly ) .
http://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2025-02-19/13/57/us-soccer-article Via USSoccer.com
10. Brian McBride
Striker Brian McBride sits fifth on the list of all - sentence goals tally for the United States , which is enough to pull in him a spot on this lean . He has played in three World Cups for the stars and stripes , and was the Gold Cup MVP when the United States won the tourney in 2002 . He complete his external career just shy of the C mark , with 95 total ceiling ( and 30 destination ) .
His club calling was equally impressive , as it spanned almost 20 years and admit a memorable five seasons with Fulham in the English Premier League , where McBride scored 33 goals in 140 appearance for the London side . He has also played for MLS side Columbus Crew and Chicago Fire during his career , adding some legitimacy to the league during it ’s important raise period of time .
( AP Photo / Mark Humphrey )
9. Kasey Keller
The first of two goalkeepers to make this list , Kasey Keller run professional association football for a singular 23 years . In doing so , he became the first American goalie to become a first squad even in the Bundesliga , the English Premier League , and La Liga . He finish his career with the Seattle Sounders , win three U.S. Open Cups and being named MLS Goalkeeper of the Year in 2011 .
For the national squad , Keller reach 102 caps and played in four different World Cups . He was named U.S. Soccer Athlete of Year on three disjoined occasions ( 1997 , 1998 , 2005 ) and aid the team to three Gold Cup triumph . Keller ’s international achievements are even more remarkable when you consider that he faced constant competition for the start job from fellow steward Brad Friedel , who deserve an honorable mention on this list of bang-up Americans .
( AP Photo / Bill Kostroun )
8. Eric Wynalda
Eric Wynalda was a innovator for today ’s American soccer player . His vocation begin before MLS existed , although he would reelect to the league and grade the first end in its history while play for the San Jose Clash in 1996 . He was also the all - clock time leading finish seduce for the American national squad at one point , until being passed by a few participant who will be mentioned briefly .
Wynalda was a brusk , quick hitter who excelled at making off - the - ball ravel and drool at defenders . He succeed MLS Goal of the Year , U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year , and the Gold Cup Golden Boot laurels , all in 1996 .
https://sites.duke.edu/wcwp/tournament-guides/world-cup-2015-guide/media-coverage-of-the-2015-world-cup/planned-coverage-for-2015-womens-world-cup/ Via sites.duke.edu
7. Claudio Reyna
Claudio Reyna was a long - time captain of the home squad , being selected to play for the gentleman ’s side from 1994 - 2006 . The midfielder was known for his distribution and calm down influence and is often conceive one of most talented midfielders that America has ever produce . He scored eight goals in 112 appearance for the U.S.
Reyna appeared in three different World Cups , although he tragically was forced to sit out the 1994 tournament in his home base country due to a hamstring tendon injury . His club calling saw him toy in some of the biggest league in the world , include the Bundeliga with Bayern Leverkusen , the SPL with Rangers , and the EPL with Sunderland and Manchester City .
6. Tim Howard
The second keeper on our list , Tim Howard begin his pro career in the U.S. before making a arresting move to Manchester United in 2003 , one of Europe ’s biggest and rich teams . He represent at well times for the Red Devils , but was inconsistent . A move to fellow Premier League squad Everton would come in in 2006 , where he pass 10 seasons playing in one of the good leagues in the world .
He is the most capped goalkeeper in the account of the U.S. national squad , with 113 , and appeared in the 2010 and 2014 World Cups . In the 2014 Round of 16 , Howard put in one of the most sensational performances in goaltender history , make a record - bankrupt 16 saves in what would finally move around into a 2 - 1 extra time red ink to Belgium .
( AP Photo / Felipe Dana , File )
5. Jozy Altidore
For some cause , association football fans in America just ca n’t seem to get on board with Jozy Altidore . The New Jersey aboriginal burst on to the scene as a 16 - year - honest-to-goodness , playing for the New York Bulls in the maiden MLS time of year . A move to Europe quickly followed , when Spanish side Villareal grease one’s palms him for $ 10 million . He struggled in Spain , spending most of the next few years on loan . But was a memorable two seasons with Dutch team AZ , where he score 39 goals in 67 appearances , that made him a star again .
After a forgettable spell with Sunderland , Altidore came home to ( North ) America , playing for Toronto FC in the MLS . Together with Sebastian Giovinco , Altidore is part of one of the most venomous smasher force in league history , and helped TFC make it to the 2016 MLS Cup ( although they would lose the championship game in penalty ) .
His revival in Toronto has also helped his public presentation for the national squad . Since the root of 2015 , Altidore has 12 goal in 26 appearances for the United States .
( AP Photo / John Raoux )
4. Cobi Jones
Cobi Jones played the absolute majority of his career with the L.A. Galaxy , scoring 70 destination in 306 appearances . Along the way , he won two MLS Cups , two help ’ Shields , and two U.S. Open Cups . The attacking midfielder on a regular basis piled up goals and assists for the Galaxy , and even had his telephone number 13 sack out by the team .
Jones began his external career in 1992 , and look the next three World Cups for the United States . His attacking play and unique hairstyle made him an contiguous fan favourite . To this day , he is the most capped histrion in American soccer history with 164 . He was also a member of the Gold Cup get ahead team in 2002 .
http://ftw.usatoday.com/2016/10/podcast-cobi-jones-on-mls-playoffs-usmnt Via usatoday.com
3. Clint Dempsey
It wo n’t be much longer , and Clint Dempsey will have the most international goals in United States account . He ’s presently one behind Landon Donovan on the all - time list . He has appeared in three different World Cups ( becoming the first American to score in three different editions of the tourney ) and helped the United States to two Gold Cup victories ( 2005 , 2007 ) .
He ’s also a bite of a club legend at Fulham , were he scored 50 goals in 184 appearances from 2007 to 2012 . A disappointing move to Tottenham come after , before Dempsey returned to MLS as a extremity of the Seattle Sounders . He made an immediate impact for the Emerald Green , scoring 36 goals in 76 appearances ( so far ) and help the team win a bunch of trophies — a Supporters ’ Shield ( 2014 ) , a U.S. Open Cup ( 2014 ) , and a MLS Cup ( 2016).f
( AP Photo / Matt Rourke , File )
2. Michael Bradley
You wo n’t find oneself Michael Bradley ’s name on the score sheet very often , but that ’s not his business . The current national team captain excels at controlling the secret plan in the mall of the car park , realise a reputation as one of the best box - to - boxwood midfielders that America has ever bring on . During his time with Chievo and Roma in Serie A , he was given the moniker “ The General ” by devotee , in honor of his coolheaded and calculated play , and his leading on the theater of operations .
In 2014 , Bradley made a surprise move to Toronto FC ( just like fellow New Jersey aboriginal Jozy Altidore would one year subsequently ) . He immediately became Toronto ’s most significant participant and was shortly named the captain of that squad as well .
Bradley , who has been a part of the U.S. system since he was 16 - age - old , is tardily creeping up the leaderboard when it number to full visual aspect for his country . He ’s presently fourth all - clip , and could end up as the new leader by the sentence he retires . He won a Gold Cup with the national squad in 2007 and was named U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year in 2015 .
( AP Photo / Marcio Jose Sanchez )
1. Landon Donovan
Who else could it be ? Landon Donovan was the face of the men ’s national squad for 15 year . He ’s second in all - time appearances ( 157 ) and first in goal ( for now ) , with 57 , and first in assists . He ’s won the U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year award a phonograph recording four times , won the Gold Cup four times , and appeared in three dissimilar World Cups ( and was controversially go away off the 2014 World Cup roster by pass handler Jurgen Klinsmann ) .
Donavon spent the bulk of his career performing in MLS ( although his brief least sandpiper with Bayer Leverkusen and Everton were rich enough ) , as a member of the San Jose Earthquakes , and later on the L.A. Galaxy . His combined MLS silverware is telling — six MLS Cups ( 2001 , 2003 , 2005 , 2011 , 2012 , 2014 ) two Supporters ’ Shields ( 2010 , 2011 ) , a U.S. Open Cup(2005 ) , one MLS MVP ( 2009 ) , two MLS Cup MVPs ( 2001 , 2014 ) , and won the 2008 MLS Golden Boot .
He retired in 2016 as the all - clip leading scorekeeper in MLS story , in both destination and assists . The conference immediately renamed their regular season MVP award to the “ Landon Donovan MVP Award . ” Without a doubt , when you mix his accomplishments for club and country , Donovan is good American association football we ’ve ever seen .
( AP Photo / Elise Amendola )
