8 Best American Premier League Players of All Time
American Premier League players have helped to put the United States Men's National Team on the map. Americans are continuing to make waves across Europe.
Best American Premier League Players of All Time
In the 2021-22 season, 25 countries had more players in the Premier League than the United States. Chelsea's Christian Pulisic remains the star attraction. Zack Steffen played two games for champions Man City. Norwich City striker Joshua Sargent scored two goals in a campaign which saw the club get relegated.
Despite the lack of numbers, a handful of American greats have evolved from the ever improving MLS to become stars in England. Let's take a look at the 8 best American Premier League players of all time.
8. Claudio Reyna
Although he spent his prime in the Bundesliga, Reyna certainly made his mark in England in a career limited by injuries and starts off our list of best American Premier League players. After four years with Bayer Leverkusen and Wolfsburg, followed by a stint at Rangers, Reyna had spells with Sunderland and Manchester City.
Reyna was known as the original "Captain America" before Christian Pulisic came along. He became one of the best American soccer players of all time for the USMNT with his exceptional technique and calmness on the ball.
As a midfielder, Reyna showed off his swift skills in 105 matches in the Premier League. He scored 7 goals and 4 assists and was a solid performer defensively with all-around skill.
7. Carlos Bocanegra
Carlos Bocanegra played five seasons in the Premier League at Fulham. Bocanegra earned over 100 caps and was captain of the United States team for six years. During his time in London he was club captain, and combined his leadership abilities with his excellent defensive skills.
One of the greatest American defenders of all time, the ever-durable and reliable centre-back made 115 Premier League appearances, and still managed to knock in 8 goals from the back.
6. Geoff Cameron
Cameron’s longevity and versatility is the main reason he’s ahead of Bocanegra and Reyna. In his six seasons with Stoke City, Cameron totaled over 13,500 minutes where he played at either center back, right back or in central midfield.
Few players have the poise that Cameron possessed when in control of the ball, and this quality perfectly compliments his defensive game.
Cameron was extremely composed under pressure and wasn’t phased with passing the ball from out the back. In his 168 games with Stoke, he managed 34 clean sheets, two goals and four assists.
5. Christian Pulisic
In 2022/23 Pulisic appeared in his fourth season for Chelsea and is already considered one of the best American Premier League players of all time. At the end of the 2021/22 season he had appeared in 76 games, scored 19 goals and 8 assists.
American players aren’t typically known for their attacking ability. Most are known for their defense, whether in midfield, at the back, or as a goalkeeper. However, Pulisic has separated himself from this group and is known for his crafty on-ball skill, speed, scoring ability, and ability to create chances for others.
By the age of 23, Pulisic is already one of Chelsea’s best attackers. If the young star can keep up his phenomenal play in the Premier League, there’s no doubt he’ll end up finishing his career as the best American Premier League player in history.
...I'll be back tomorrow with part two
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Wolfgang Sport started in 2017 as a way to connect my passion for American and British sports. Today it's evolved into a blockchain sports blog pushing the boundaries into the crypto world and embracing Web3 technologies.
Bocanegra was a very very interesting player.
Pulisic only in 5th? I think my memory of American players is very bad :D
I can only think of Tim Howard and maybe Dempsey but thats it :D
Yep but consider that he is only 23, then it's quite remarkable
Personally i feel Pulisic hasn't lived up to the hype at Chelsea, I'm not surprise he's currently pushing for a transfer. Though several injuries contributed to his problem at Chelsea. But when he was in Dortmund, Pulisic was fire 🔥
Ye I know what you mean, at Borussia he was next level. Then again, Bundesliga is a very open and attacking league and no where near as physical in comparison to the EPL