The 25 best American-born men's soccer players of all time

The New Jersey native debuted on the professional level for the New York Red Bulls in 2006, and has also played for club teams in Spain, Turkey, England, Netherlands and Mexico. A member of the 2010 and 2014 United States' World Cup teams, Altidore ranks third among all American goal scorers on the international level with 42. He also ranks among the country's leaders with 115 career appearances for the national squad. One of the more energetic and passionate players in U.S. soccer history, Altidore is known as being one of the more physical strikers to play the game.

Many have come and gone in sporting the United States men's national team kit, but Bahr has stood the test of time when it comes to the legends of American soccer. For years, Bahr captained the national team, and he assisted on Joe Gaetjens' memorable goal during the United States' 1-0 upset victory over England during the 1950 World Cup. Bahr played for the national club from 1948-57, and was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 1976. Two of his three sons, Matt and Chris, were fine professional soccer players, and even better place-kickers in the NFL.

The free-flowing long hair might have been Balboa's trademark, but he was also more than a fair footballer. Born in Chicago, but essentially raised in Southern California, Balboa posted more than 120 caps for the USMNT, which he captained during his career, and became the first American to make 100 international appearances. A standout on the backline for the 1990 and '94 U.S. World Cup teams, Balboa, who played in MLS and Mexico's Liga MX, registered 13 goals en route to earning a spot in the National Soccer Hall of Fame.

The only American male to play in four World Cup teams (2002-'14), the recently inducted National Soccer Hall of Famer recorded 126 caps for the U.S. men's national soccer team. He scored 17 goals in the process. Meanwhile, when it came to the club level, Beasley played in the Netherlands, Mexico, Germany, England, and, most prominently, was a five-time MLS All-Star while a member of the Chicago Fire and Houston Dynamo. Beasley retired from professional play in 2019, concluding a stellar playing career that began while starring for the U.S. Under-17 squad.

Another captain of the UNMNT, Bocanegra has starred on every level he played. From making a name for himself as an all-time great at UCLA in the late 1990s to twice being honored MLS Defender of the Year to posting 110 appearances and 14 goals for the national team. In addition to his club success in MLS, Bocanegra also played professionally in England, Scotland, France and Spain. He's also found success in the sport post-playing days. As of 2023, Bocanegra was technical director and vice president for MLS side Atlanta United.

As of 2023, Bradley, part of a great American soccer family, was still going strong in MLS while in his mid-30s. Also a former captain of the USMNT, Bradley has played in two World Cups and recorded 17 goals while sporting 151 international appearances for the U.S. (third-most all-time by any American). In addition to his national team and MLS service time, where he won a championship with Toronto FC in 2017, Bradley has played in some of the world's most prestigious club divisions like Eredivisie, Bundesliga, the English Premier League and Serie A.

With more than 108 national team caps, Caligiuri was known for his stellar defensive prowess in the midfield. That said, one of his five international goals is among the most celebrated in American soccer history. In November 1989, Caligiuri was responsible for the only score (Dubbed the "Shot heard 'round the world.") in the United States' 1-0 victory over Trinidad and Tobago to qualify for the 1990 World Cup. In that event, Caligiuri also scored the Americans' first World Cup goal since 1950. In addition to those USMNT moments, the Hall of Famer played professionally in Germany and MLS.

One of the true stars of American soccer, Dempsey shined both for club and country. On the international level, Dempsey ranks fourth among Americans with 141 caps (from 2004-17), and his 57 goals are tied for the most by a U.S. player. When it came to club ball, Dempsey recorded 57 goals between Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur of the English Premier League, which was sandwiched between stints in MLS for New England and Seattle, where he combined for more than 70 goals. Dempsey, who scored in three different World Cups for the U.S., was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2022.

So, who shares the U.S. record for international goals with the aforementioned Clint Dempsey? That would be Donovan, an icon of American soccer. Donovan's 157 caps from 2000-14 also rank second among U.S. internationals. ESPN even named Donovan the greatest American soccer player of all time. He was named U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year four times, won six MLS Cups and is that league's all-time leader with 136 assists, and among the top three with 145 career goals. Donovan, who scored three times during the 2010 World Cup, is one of three Americans to post a goal in more than one of those events.

One of the most dependable performers, not only in American soccer history, but in the game itself. Friedel's final professional game was just days past his 40th birthday in May 2011, while suiting up for Aston Villa of the English Premier League. In fact, his 310 consecutive EPL match appearances is a record. Friedel, who also played in Denmark, Turkey and MLS' Columbus Crew, manned the USMNT net more than 80 times (1992-2005) during his storied career, and was part of three World Cup sides for the Americans.

The longtime, standout midfield staple and captain for the USMNT (more than 85 international appearances from 1987-2000), Harkes has the distinction of being the first American to play in the English Premier League, as a member of Sheffield Wednesday, beginning in 1990. He also spent quality time in MLS with D.C. United, New England and Columbus. A member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame, Harkes was part of two U.S. World Cup squads, and scored six international goals during his brilliant playing career.

Fierce, determined and passionate — just a few words to describe the venerable Tim Howard. No goalkeeper in U.S. soccer history has made more international appearances than Howard's 121 from 2002-17. When we talk about American soccer royalty and a true fan favorite, Howard, who was part of three World Cup teams, is up there with the likes of Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey. Meanwhile, on the club level, Howard made nearly 330 appearances for Everton, where the New Jersey native is among the most prominent non-English figures to play in the Premier League. 

Beginning in 2004, the Florida native spent nearly a full decade representing the United States on international level, and was part of the 2006 World Cup team. As of July 2023, Johnson ranked in the top 10 among all American players with 19 international goals. While Johnson played professionally in England and Greece, he spent a majority of those playing days in MLS, where he tallied more than 60 goals while playing for FC Dallas, Kansas City, Seattle and D.C. United. He was named MLS Comeback Player of the Year in 2007 and 2012.

Another name synonymous with American soccer, Jones is the all-time U.S. leader with 164 international caps. He also scored more than 12 goals while starring for the USMNT from 1991-2004. Jones was one of the early stars of Major League Soccer in the U.S. after spending time playing professionally in England and Brazil. He posted 70 goals and won two MLS Cups during his stellar 11-season run with the Los Angeles Galaxy. The Hall of Famer was then part of the Galaxy coaching staff before enjoying a successful career in the broadcast booth.

One of three American keepers to record more than 100 caps for the national team, Keller was part of four World Cup rosters from 1990-2007. That longevity helped Keller become one of the most dependable and respected performers in the history of American soccer. The Hall of Famer was named U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year in 1997, 1999 and 2005. Though Keller began and ended his professional club career playing in the States, he is considered the first American goalkeeper to feature prominently in elite European leagues Bundesliga, English Premier League and La Liga.

Another iconic figure in American soccer, Lalas was not only known for his lengthy facial hair and wild hairstyle — he's also considered one of the best defenders to ever play the game. Lalas posted more than 90 caps while playing for the USMNT from 1991-98, and also recorded 10 goals during the process. A member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame, Lalas was the first American to play in Italy's top-tier Serie A division before enjoying a successful MLS career, where he won a championship with the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2002.

Another great American goal scorer. The Oklahoma native and former UCLA standout, Moore recorded 100 caps as an international from 1993-2001. Meanwhile, his 24 goals rank among the top 10 by all American players. Moore's four goals against El Salvador from 1993 are tied for the most in American history. He was a member of three U.S. World Cup teams (1994, 1998, 2002) and took part in the 1992 Summer Olympics. Moore played in Germany to begin his professional club career, which also included stops in Ecuador, England and MLS, where he scored 90 goals for New England from 1996-99. Moore was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2013.

Not only did Meola enjoy a long and successful playing career for club and country, but he's long been a great ambassador for the game. Another American keeper with at least 100 international caps, Meola was a member of U.S. World Cup teams in 1990, 1994 and 2002. On the club level, Meola's greatest success came in MLS, where the New Jersey native was a local favorite for the NY/NJ MetroStars, and won a championship with Kansas City in 2000, when he was also named MLS MVP. Meola should be regarded as the first true star American goalkeeper, paving the way for the likes of the aforementioned Brad Friedel, Kasey Keller and Tim Howard to shine.

Hailing from suburban Chicago, McBride was a pure scorer who notched 30 goals for the United States national team while making more than 90 appearances from 1993-2006. McBride was a member of three U.S. World Cup squads (1998, 2002, 2006) and inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2014. During a successful club career in Europe and America, McBride became a fan favorite while playing for Fulham across the pond in between MLS stints with Columbus and his hometown Chicago Fire. 

Pope's tenacity was a trademark of his play on the backline, which included more than 80 appearances for the U.S. national team, a tenure that began in late 1996 and lasted nearly a full decade. Pope also enjoyed a lengthy MLS career (1996-2007), starring mostly for D.C. United, where he won three championships (1996, '97 and '99) and was named the league's defender of the year in 1997. Pope, who has remained a vital part of growing MLS following his playing days, was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2011.

The current superstar of U.S. soccer, Pulisic debuted on the national level in 2012, as part of the Under-15 squad. Since then, he's totaled 47 goals spanning just over 100 caps. An impressive 25 goals have come through 60 appearances at the senior level. Known as "Captain America," it's fair to say Pulisic is the most talented player, from a pure skills standpoint, on this list — or that America has ever produced. He totaled 30 goals while playing for European giants Borussia Dortmund and Chelsea, and now is ready to show off for AC Milan. Only in his mid-20s, Pulisic has already been named U.S. Soccer Male Athlete of the Year three times.

One of most celebrated American players of all time, Reyna recorded 112 caps for the national team from 1994-2006. He was part of four World Cup, three CONCACAF Gold Cup and two U.S. Olympic teams. On the club level, Reyna spent most of his professional career playing in Germany, Scotland and England before finishing up with a brief stint on New York Red Bulls. However, Reyna stayed in MLS via executive roles with New York City FC and Austin FC. He was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2012.

Yet another product of New Jersey, the American hotbed of soccer. Though Vermes' time on the national team wasn't as lengthy as others on this list, he posted 11 goals spanning 66 appearances during the 1990s. Following a solid career playing in Europe, Vermes established himself as one of the best backline talents in MLS history. In 2000, he was named MLS Defender of the Year while helping Kansas City win the league championship. As of 2023 season, the Hall of Famer is the longest-active manager in MLS while continuing to guide Sporting Kansas City.

Long lauded for his sensational footwork with the ball, Wynalda preceded the likes of Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan when it came to goal-scoring prowess. His 34 goals while playing more than 100 games with the national team currently rank fourth all time. Wynalda was also among the first American players to enjoy success playing club ball in Europe. From 1992-'94, he scored 34 goals for Germany's 1. FC Saarbrücken. The Hall of Famer eventually made his way to MLS, where he spent time in the late 1990s and into the 2000s.

A more recent American star, Zimmerman has registered 42 international caps from 2017 up to 2023, and was part of the 2022 U.S. World Cup team. A standout product from Furman, Zimmerman has enjoyed a successful career in MLS. The All-Star truly came into his own with Los Angeles FC, and then won back-to-back Defender of the Year awards in 2020 and '21 as the anchor of Nashville SC's backline. In addition to his physicality in the opponents' defensive-third, the 6-foot-3 Zimmerman is an offensive force in the box via set pieces.