Best American Soccer Players of All Time USMNT

G'day Hive. It's 300 days to the World Cup believe it or not! CONCACAF World Cup qualifying will conclude on March 30th with America hoping to again qualify having missed out in 2018.

The USMNT failed to qualify for every edition between 1954 and 1986 but the U.S. has improved to feature in every World Cup between 1990 and 2014.

There is continued improvement with the team having young stars that could really make an impact on the world stage. In the lead up to CONCACAF qualifying wrapping up, let’s take a look at the 10 best American soccer players of all-time and see if any of the young stars can crack the list:

#10. Christian Pulisic

In terms of potential Christian Pulisic is the best young American soccer player ever. Nicknamed 'Captain America', Pulisic was capped 44 times for the USMNT at youth level and scored 22 goals.

At the age of 22 Pulisic already helped the USMNT reach the final of the 2019 Gold Cup and he's already a multi-time winner of the Male US Soccer Player of the Year award.

Christian Pulisic is the most expensive North American player of all time following a $73 million (£57.6 million) move to Chelsea, where he became only the second American to ever win the Champions League.

#9. Michael Bradley

Michael Bradley is one of the most capped players in USMNT history playing over 150 times for America. He’s one of the best box-to-box midfielders in US history, able to dictate the tempo of games with his physical, intelligent and energetic style of play.

Bradley’s achievements with the USMNT includes Gold Cup wins in 2007 and 2017, FIFA Confederations Cup runner-up in 2009 and he was named Male US Soccer Player of the Year in 2015.

#8. Marcelo Balboa

Marcelo Balboa appeared in the 1990, 1994 and 1998 World Cups for the USMNT, playing in eight games. He was the first American to break the 100-cap mark, finishing with 127 caps and 13 goals.

Balboa forged a reputation as one of the best defenders in USMNT history and was a true leader both on and off the field. Balboa was named Male US Soccer Player of the Year in 1992 and 1994 and he was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2005.

#7. DeMarcus Beasley

DeMarcus Beasley is the only player in USMNT history to have appeared in four World Cups. Beasley finished with 126 caps and 17 goals for the US and won a staggering five Gold Cups.

Baseley was a pacey left winger or wingback, his intelligence and fearlessness often underrated. He excelled both on an attacking and defensive level, with his ability to shift into a left back position prolonging his international career.

#6. Tim Howard

Tim Howard is the best USMNT goalkeeper of all-time. He is also the most capped goalkeeper in US national team history with 121 caps and he featured in the 2010 and 2014 World Cups. Take nothing away from Kasey Keller and Brad Friedel, who were both exceptional goalkeepers in their own right.

The most legendary Tim Howard moment was his iconic performance in the Round of 16 against Belgium at the 2014 World Cup. Howard made a record-breaking 16 saves in an agonizing extra-time loss to Belgium.

Howard was a phenomenal shot stopper with excellent reflexes. He spent the majority of his career at Manchester United and Everton and was crowned Male US Soccer Player of the Year in 2008 and 2014.

...I'll be back tomorrow with the five best soccer players in American history. Can you guess who they are?

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