The top 50 players in USMNT history

Who are the best players in United States national team history? That's a question that will get dozens, if not hundreds of different answers. You have to take into account more than 80 years of history, even if the vast majority of them will come from the last 25 years.

How a player played for the national team is obviously important. It's most important. But it's also important to take into account club careers because that's where they play most often and the impact that they can make there, individually and for American soccer, is gigantic.

So here it is, the top 50 players in USMNT history:

There are two ways to look at Pulisic:

1. He's accomplished more in the last nine months than 80% of this list.

2. It's only been nine months.

You can bet on him moving up this list quickly.

Burns was never a star, but he was part of the Americans' 1994 World Cup team and racked up 75 caps in his six-year national team career. He was also an MLS original and an All-Star in the league's first year.

Getty ImagesBongarts/Getty Images

Mastroeni was as dependable a defensive midfielder as there was. He was never spectacular, but he also wasn't asked to be. By the end of his eight-year national team career, he had 65 caps and played in two World Cups, but the second of those didn't go so well as he was red carded against Italy in the 2006 group stage.

Getty ImagesGetty Images

Klopas' club career was limited because he turned pro 13 years before MLS was born, but he managed to play indoor soccer and in Greece for eight years until joining the Kansas City Wizards in 1996. By the time he joined MLS, Klopas' national team career was over, but his 12 goals in 39 matches is nothing to sneeze at.

This content is subject to copyright.Getty Images

The French-born Regis famously got his citizenship fast tracked after marrying an American so he could play in the 1998 World Cup. The tournament was a disaster for the team, but Regis was one of the team's better players. He had a long and successful club career in Europe, too.

Berhalter was never first choice for the U.S., serving as a backup to the team's top centerbacks, but he still earned 44 caps in 12 years and made two World Cup games. He started a pair of knockout stage round games in 2002 and he had a long career in Europ too that included captaining Energie Cottbus to Bundesliga promotion.

Getty ImagesBongarts/Getty Images

Kirovski played all over Europe, from Portugal, to England, to Germany, and he holds the distinction of being the only American to ever win a Champions League medal for being part of the Borussia Dortmund team that won the competition in 1997. But Kirovski didn't even dress for the final and most of his club stops were largely forgettable. It's much in the same way he had 62 caps for the U.S., but never made a World Cup team.

This content is subject to copyright.Getty Images

Mathis was one of the most skilled players the U.S. has ever produced and had he been able to make good on his potential, he could be in the top 10. Still, he scored 12 goals for the national team, including one of the best goals in U.S. World Cup history with his gorgeous strike against South Korea in the 2002 World Cup. He's also 33rd on the MLS all-time scoring list.

Getty ImagesGetty Images

Sanneh had a nice career as an MLS stalwart and five years in the Bundesliga to go along with 43 caps, but his calling card is the 2002 World Cup. He was incredible in helping the U.S. make the quarterfinals, putting his stamp on the most successful World Cup in the nation's history.

Getty ImagesGetty Images

The timing was never quite right for Gomez and the national team. When he was at his best, he was often ignored by the U.S. or stuck behind an in-form Jozy Altidore. When there was a window for him to break through, he was sometimes hurt. But Gomez scored six goals for the national team, played in three World Cup matches and won a Gold Cup title. His Liga MX career was exceptional too, leading the 2010 Bicentenario in goals and Copa MX in the 2015 Clausura.

Murray was unfortunate to spend most of his career after NASL shuttered, but before MLS was born so his club career was limited. But Murray was the national team's leading goalscorer for years and helped the U.S. qualfy for the 1990 World Cup. There, he scored one of the team's two goals and also helped the team capture the very first Gold Cup in 1991.

This content is subject to copyright.Getty Images

For the better part of five years now, Cameron has been the Americans' most reliable central defender. He started three matches at the 2014 World Cup and could be right back in the heart of the defense in 2018. Cameron was also an MLS Best XI selection with the Houston Dynamo, where he helped them to an MLS Cup final, and has spent five years with Stoke City as a reliable Premier League defender.

Getty ImagesGetty Images

Wegerle was born in South Africa and became a citizen in 1991 after marrying an American. He went on to be a part of two World Cup teams and scored seven goals in 41 caps. He also spent a decade playing in England for Chelsea, Luton Town, Queens Park Rangers, Blackburn and Coventry City.

This content is subject to copyright.Getty Images

Bedoya has never been a flashy player and has generally flown under the radar, but take a look at his resume:

• 55 caps
• Seven years in Europe
• Three years as a key player for a Ligue 1 club
• Played in all four matches at the 2014 World Cup

All Bedoya has done is succeed at a high level for nearly a decade now.

Getty ImagesGetty Images

Hejduk got his start in MLS, but quickly made the move to Bayer Leverkusen, where he played at one of the bigger clubs any American has ever played for. After five years there he returned to MLS and became a Columbus Crew legend. Throughout, he was a U.S. regular, making 85 appearances and playing in the 1998 and 2002 World Cups where he was a key player whose versatility helped the Americans make the quarterfinals. He was originally on the roster for the 2006 World Cup before an injury ruled him out, but he stuck around with the national team all the way through 2009, when he went 90 minutes in the Americans' World Cup qualifying win over Mexico.

Getty ImagesGetty Images

Perez's career would have looked so different if he came around a decade later. Johan Cruyff, then Ajax manager, rated him highly and tried to help him make the move to Europe with Parma, but he couldn't get a work permit and spent his career played in smaller leagues around the world. But Perez made 73 appearances for the U.S., scoring 13 goals and playing at the 1994 World Cup. He would have been one of the stars at the 1990 World Cup, but a knee injury ruled him out.

This content is subject to copyright.AFP/Getty Images

Gonzalez has never quite broken through for the national team, but he does have 33 caps and played in a World Cup. More than anything, though, look at his club career. He's a three-time MLS Cup champion and was arguably the best player in one final. He won the Supporters' Shield twice, too was MLS Rookie of the Year, Defender of the Year and a four-time Best XI selection. Then, when he went to Liga MX, he won the Clausura title in his first year. He has one of the most decorated club careers in American soccer.

An eight-year club career in England, nearly 200 MLS appeances, 82 caps, two World Cups and the ability to fill in at the problematic left back position to go along with his regular midfield spot? Yeah, that'll do.

Gaetjens only played three matches for the national team, but they were all at the 1950 World Cup, where he scored the lone goal in the Americans' legendary upset of England. He was also one of the best players in the American Soccer League for years.

Getty Images

It's fascinating to consider where Onyewu would be if he hadn't hurt his knee in 2009, which robbed him of his top-level ability. At the time, he was 29 years old and in the best form of his life. It looked like he would become one of the best centerbacks the country has ever had.

Still, he had a heck of a career. His 69 caps including the 2006 World Cup, where he was a starter, two Gold Cup titles and a U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year awards. At the club level, he was a two-time Belgian First Division champion with Standard Liege, a two-time Best XI selection and he played in the Premier League, La Liga, Eredivisie, Primeira Liga, Championship and Ligue 2 to boot. It was a heck of a career, even if it ended short.

AFPAFP/Getty Images

A National Soccer Hall of Famer, Bahr was one of the best players of his generation. He provided the assist for Gaetjens' goal that beat England at the 1950 World Cup and was a five-time American Soccer League champion.

AFPAFP/Getty Images

Meola was the first great goalkeeper the U.S. ever had. He was the Americans' backstop for every minute of the 1990 and 1994 World Cups and was so good in MLS that he won MVP honors as he led the Kansas City Wizards to the Supporters' Shield and MLS Cup titles in 2000.

This content is subject to copyright.Getty Images

Gonsalves was the star of the first real generation of American soccer. He won the National Challenge Cup, which served as the country's true champion at the time, and was the star of the U.S. team that went to the semifinals of the first World Cup in 1930. He also played in the World Cup four years later, calling it a career after that before being included in the inaugural National Soccer Hall of Fame class.

National Soccer Hall of Fame

Agoos played an astounding 134 matches for the U.S. in his 15-year international career. He started at the 2002 World Cup and was also part of the team four years earlier. On top of that, he was an MLS legend, starring for D.C. United, the San Jose Earthquakes and Metrostars. He was an MLS Defender of the Year winner, to go along with five MLS Cups, two Supporters' Shields and a U.S. Open Cup.

Getty ImagesGetty Images

Moore was on three World Cup teams, making 100 appearances and scoring 24 goals to rank sixth on the national team's all-time goals list. Moore also had a nice club career, playing for both Nurnberg and Everton, with 53 goals for the New England Revolution sprinkled in across two stints in MLS. Few strikers have been as productive or deadly as Moore was.

This content is subject to copyright.Getty Images

O'Brien is unquestionably the biggest “what if?” in U.S. Soccer history. If he had been able to stay fit, he would probably be No. 1 on this list. He was that skilled and that good. The national team got a peek of it at the 2002 World Cup, where he had an assist while playing every minute of the tournament and showed off such incredible passing ability that he drew praise from observers around the world. O'Brien signed with Ajax as a teenager and started for them as a 24-year-old on an incredibly talented and successful team, drawing the attention of some of Europe's biggest clubs. But knee injuries cut his career short and he never played 10 matches in a season after the age of 25.

Getty ImagesGetty Images

It's easy to be frustrated with Altidore. After all, as a teenager he was pegged as the future of the national team and someone who could be the Americans' first true world class striker. He's never become that, but at the age of 26 he has 37 goals, good for third on the U.S. all-time scoring list. He's helped the team win World Cup qualifiers, made two World Cup teams and scored the game-winning goal in the Americans' historic win over Spain at the 2009 Confederations Cup. Add that to 39 goals in two seasons for AZ Alkmaar and you have one of the best strikers the country has ever produced.

AFPAFP/Getty Images

Lalas rose to fame in large part because of his red goatee and long red hair at the 1994 World Cup. That look made him a celebrity as the most well-known national teamer, but he was far more than just the first famous American soccer player. He was a good defender, playing for the team at two World Cups and starting each match of the Americans' run to the 1995 Copa America semifinals. Lalas was also the first American to ever play in Serie A and took home an MLS Cup and U.S. Open Cup in seven MLS seasons.

This content is subject to copyright.AFP/Getty Images

Johnson only joined the U.S. in 2011, but he already has more than 50 caps and in the five years since his debut, he's established himself as one of the team's best players. His versatility is vital to the team and he was great at the 2014 World Cup. He's also has a very successful club career, playing more than 25 matches in each of the last five seasons for Hoffenheim and then Borussia Monchengladbach, where he is now a key player in the Champions League.

German-Americans are common on the national team now, but Dooley was the first of them. Despite not joining the U.S. until he was 30 years old, he played 80 matches for the U.S. and was named U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year in 1993. He played in two World Cups, captaining the team in 1998, not to mention a long club career that included Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal and UEFA Cup titles.

BongartsBongarts/Getty Images

Bocanegra made more than 100 appearances for the U.S. and spent five years at the team's captain. He was a left back for the team before shifting to centerback and played in the 2006 and 2010 World Cups. The U.S. had few players more dependable than Bocanegra for the better part of a decade and he also had quite a club career. He was a regular for Fulham for five years, before successful stints in Ligue 1 with Rennes and Saint-Etienne.

AFPAFP/Getty Images

Caliguiri's 110 caps has him ninth on the national team's all-time list and he played in two World Cups. He also carved out a decent career in Germany at a time when Americans struggled to forge professional careers abroad. But Caligiuri's career is defined by one goal.

In a must-win World Cup qualifier against Trinidad and Tobago in 1989, Caligiuri scored a 25-yard goal that earned the Americans a 1-0 win. That goal put the Americans in their first World Cup since 1950 and potentially allowed them to host the groundbreaking 1994 World Cup, which reportedly would have been pulled from the U.S. if they failed to qualify for 1990. Caligiuri's goal did all that for the sport in this country and is arguably the most important goal in national team history.

This content is subject to copyright.Getty Images

Nobody has played more matches for the USMNT than Jones. His 164 caps outstrips anyone else who has ever pulled on the shirt and he spent a dozen years as one of the team's most recognizable players too. He played in three World Cups and was the team's primary threat off the wing, thanks to his pace. Jones was also one of the best players in the early years of MLS, starring for the LA Galaxy and winning two MLS Cups, as well as two U.S. Open Cups.

This content is subject to copyright.Getty Images

Harkes was a fixture in the U.S. midfield for most of the 1990's, racking up 90 caps, six goals and 11 assists. He played in both the 1990 and 1994 World Cups and was named co-MVP of Copa America in 1995 as the Americans rolled to the semifinals. His club career was also mighty impressive, spending six years in England and playing in both FA and League Cup finals.

This content is subject to copyright.AFP/Getty Images

Stewart was born in the Netherlands, the son of a Dutch mother and American father. over the course of a 15-year international career, Stewart would total 101 caps and play in three World Cups. He scored the goal against Colombia in the 1994 World Cup that helped put the U.S. through to the knockout stages and his 17 career goals is good for ninth all-time. On top of that, he spent 14 seasons in the Eredisivise and won an MLS Cup with D.C. United.

This content is subject to copyright.Getty Images

Jones was a Germany youth national teamer, but he switched to the U.S. in 2010 and never looked back. He's racked up more than 60 caps already and has been an absolute force in the U.S. midfield. No American was better at the 2014 World Cup, where he scored a stunning goal against Portugal and led the team to the round of 16. He also played for some of Germany's biggest clubs and was a regular for Schalke's Champions League teams. Few American players could match Jones' resume and impact, not to mention his 2014 World Cup performances.

This content is subject to copyright.AFP/Getty Images

Balboa was the first American to reach the 100 cap mark and his 13 goals are a record for a U.S. defender. He's the country's second-best centerback of all-time and starred for the team at the 1990 and 1994 World Cups. Many people remember Balboa for his long hair or his propensity for trying bicycle kicks, but he was also an excellent defender at a time when the Americans desperately needed a dominant centerback.

This content is subject to copyright.Getty Images

Cherundolo is the best fullback in national team history. It's not even close and whenever he was fit, he was the clear choice at right back. He made 87 appearances for the U.S. and played in two World Cups, putting in a truly magnificent showing in 2010. On top of that, he spent 15 years at Hannover, joining the club at a time when Americans struggled to get jobs in Europe and eventually becoming the club's captain. He helped the team earn promotion to the Bundesliga and played nearly 400 times for the club. There's an argument to be made that Cherundolo had the most impressive European club career of any American ever.

Getty ImagesGetty Images

The early parts of Bradley's career were marked by accusations of nepotism. He was drafted as a 16-year-old by his father Bob at the Metrostars and broke through with the national team with Bob as manager. But it didn't take long for Michael to prove he was much more than a coach's son. He's spent nearly a decade as the team's best midfielder, starting in two World Cups and scoring a vital goal against Slovenia in 2010. His brace led the U.S. past Mexico in 2009's version of Dos a Cero and he is now the team's captain. On top of all that, he scored 16 goals in a season for Heerenveen in the Eredivisie and spent three years as a regular for Borussia Monchengladbach in the Bundesliga. Toss in stints with Aston Villa, Chievo and AS Roma and you have a very impressive European career to go along with his 123 caps, which puts him in position to potentiall pass Jones as the team's most capped player down the line.

AFPAFP/Getty Images

Keller's biggest problem is he was part of a Golden Age of U.S. goalkeepers. He had to compete with Meola, then Friedel, and because of that went from a player who could have started in all four World Cups he was on the team for to just starting one. Still, he was plenty good and had over 100 caps. He was a starter in the Bundesliga, La Liga and Premier League too, before finishing his career in MLS, where he won MLS Goalkeeper of the Year.

Getty ImagesBongarts/Getty Images

Wynalda is fourth on the U.S. all-time scoring list and spent years as the team's starting striker. He found the back of the net at the 1994 World Cup and was on the team for two other World Cups. He played in Germany and Mexico, as well as in MLS (where he scored the first goal in the history of the league) and was named U.S. Player of the Decade for the 1990's, when he was one of the national team's biggest stars.

This content is subject to copyright.Getty Images

Nothing about McBride's game was pretty. He was big, strong and worked his butt off. The result was 30 goals for the national team and three World Cup appearances. His game-winning goal against Portugal in the 2002 World Cup opener set the Americans off on their most successful World Cup ever, as they went all the way to the quarterfinals with McBride up top. He was famous for his willingness to take a beating, notably getting his eye swollen shut by an elbow against Mexico in a 2002 World Cup qualifier and having a giant gash opened up against Italy at the 2006 World Cup. On top of that, he was a fixture for Everton and Fulham, where he became captain, to go along with 62 goals for the Columbus Crew.

This content is subject to copyright.AFP/Getty Images

Beasley's career was a roller coaster. He was a star at the 2002 World Cup, shredding defenses and drawing praise from everyone at just 20 years old. He fell off later in the decade and was essentially pushed out of the national team picture, but came back to the team as a left back for the 2014 World Cup and became the best left back that the team had seen in more than a decade.

What really sets Beasley apart, though, is his club career. Injuries kept him from making a sustained impact, but Beasley's stint with PSV was arguably the best any American has ever had in Europe. Beasley wasn't just a regular for the Dutch club over two years, he was one of their better players, and helped lead the team to the Champions League semifinals. That he did that automatically puts him well above so many other Americans, but the 17 national team goals, two MLS cups, Supporters' Shield, two Scottish premier League titles and four Gold Cup championships aren't bad either.

Howard finally got his chance to start for the U.S. after the 2006 World Cup and he quickly established himself as a national team star. He repeatedly won matches almost all by himself, started in two World Cups and set a World Cup record 16 saves against Belgium in he 2014 round of 16. That night put him into U.S. Soccer lore and will be remembered forever. It takes a lot to overshadow being the national team's goalkeeper leader in appearances and wins, but that showing against Belgium was that good.

At the club level, Howard made himself a fan favorite at Everton and kept over 100 cleansheets for the Toffees, but it's also worth remembering this — he was the starter for Manchester United. No other American has ever been a regular starter for a club that big and while he only lasted a couple seasons with the Red Devils, he was their starter for a year. That is massive.

Getty ImagesGetty Images

The U.S. has had a lot of good goalkeepers, but Friedel is the best of the bunch. He became one of the first Americans to play in Europe, first with Galatasaray and then with Liverpool. It was his time with Balckburn, Aston Villa and Tottenham that really distinguished him, though. He was a reliable goalkeeper for all three clubs, setting a Premier League record with 310 consecutive appearances.

Friedel was on three World Cup teams, but will forever be remembered for his heroics in 2002. The goalkeeper was nicknamed “The Human Wall” for his showing in South Korea, saving two penalty kicks and making several other remarkable saves as the best player on the team that went all the way to the quarterfinals. While that team is heralded as the greatest the U.S. has ever produced, they wouldn't have made it out of the group if it wasn't for Friedel. His performances that summer alone could put him this high.

Getty ImagesGetty Images

Reyna's only issue was health. He was constantly bothered by injuries, but he still managed to play 111 matches for the U.S. and, when he played, he was sublime. His first professional club was Bayer Leverkusen, a team coming off a third place finish in the league. He went from there to Wolfsburg, then Rangers, before finishing his European career with Sunderland and Manchester City. Whenever he could play, there was never a doubt that he was good enough to play in any league in the world.

On top of his brilliant club career, Reyna spent 10 years as U.S. captain and was their constant force in the midfield. He's one of the most skilled players the country has ever produced and was rightly nicknamed “Captain America.” If he could have stayed fit, he would probably top this list.

The U.S. has long searched for a brilliant, creative player to lead their attack, but that wasn't a problem when they had Ramos. He was the star of the national team for a dozen years, playing in three World Cups and driving the team's attack. Perhaps no American has ever had the vision and creativity that Ramos possessed.

Ramos had a nice MLS career with the Metrostars and helped Real Betis get promoted to La Liga, while also winning the Mexican Cup with Tigees. The biggest problem for Ramos is that he started his career before MLS existed and struggled to get his club career going as a result. Had he come around a few years later, he'd have an even more impressive resume, but even so, he's the type of player that the U.S. has been searching for ever since he retired.

This content is subject to copyright.Getty Images

Pope is criminally underrated. He's only the unquestioned best centerback that the country has ever produced. That alone makes him remarkable and worthy of this spot.

Pope was smart and good on the ball to go along with big and fast. He was everything you could want for a centerback, which is why he earned 82 caps in 11 years. He played in three World Cups, starring for the team in the team's run to the quarterfinals in 2002. Pope never went abroad, playing 12 years in MLS, where he was a four-time Best XI selection and 1997 Defender of the Year. Some may fault him for never testing himself in a European league, but he's the best defender in national team history. The end.

Getty ImagesGetty Images

Donovan is the national team's all-time leader in goals and assists. He was the star of the team at the 2002 World Cup and immediate star. He also scored one of the most famous goals in U.S. history when he scored in the waning minutes to beat Algeria and advance at the 2010 World Cup.

On top of all that, Donovan is also the most accomplished player in MLS history. He won MLS Cup a record six times, MVP once and was a Best XI selection a record seven times. His play for the San Jose Earthquakes and the LA Galaxy was so astounding that the MLS MVP award now carries his name.

AFPAFP/Getty Images

Donovan is the popular pick for the country's best ever player and he did some incredible things, but Dempsey's career is unmatched in American soccer history.

Dempsey's 52 international goals are only five behind Donovan and he has the most goals from open play in U.S. history despite playing in fewer matches than Donovan so far. He transitioned into the focal point of the team and served as the captain for a stint.

At the club level, he has a shout as the most accomplished American field player in Europe. He became the first American to score more than 10 goals in a Premier League season and has most career goals in the league among Americans. His 23 goals in a season for Fulham marked the best single-season by an American abroad and his incredible chip to complete a remarkable comeback against Juventus in the UEFA Cup that is probably the best goal an American has ever scored in Europe. And all of that is on top of a very good MLS career.

But Dempsey's best case for the top spot is this: He was one of the Americans' best players in three World Cups. He has never let the team down on the biggest of stages, scoring at the 2006 and 2010 World Cups, then scoring two more in 2014. No American has a better World Cup career than Dempsey. He's second to none when the spotlight is brightest, and second to none in USMNT history.

Getty ImagesGetty Images