The United States Men’s National Soccer Team has had significant success over the past decade. With multiple Gold Cup championships and a quarterfinal appearance in the 2014 World Cup, the team has made a name for itself on the international stage. However, much of this success can be attributed to the outstanding performances of its players. That’s why in this article, we’ll be focusing on the best USA soccer team players of the decade. By exploring the standout players and their achievements, we’ll gain a deeper appreciation for the team’s success over the past 10 years. So, without further ado, let’s dive in!
Criteria for Selection
To determine the best USA soccer team players of the decade, we used a set of specific criteria. Firstly, we looked at the players’ individual achievements, including awards and recognition received from leagues and organizations. Additionally, we considered the players’ contributions to the team’s overall success, such as leading the team to victory in major tournaments or playing key roles in critical matches.
Furthermore, we analyzed the players’ statistics, including goals, assists, and overall performance metrics, to ensure that their on-field contributions were significant and consistent throughout the decade.
To make our selection process as objective as possible, we consulted various reliable sources, including media outlets, coaches, and analysts, to gain a broader perspective on each player’s impact.
With these criteria in mind, we narrowed down the list of potential candidates and selected the players who consistently demonstrated exceptional skill, leadership, and success over the past decade.
Christian Pulisic
Christian Pulisic is a forward who currently plays for Chelsea in the English Premier League and is widely regarded as one of the best USA soccer team players of the decade.
Pulisic began his career in the youth academy at Borussia Dortmund in Germany before making his professional debut with the club in 2016. He quickly became a key player for Dortmund, helping them reach the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League in the 2016-2017 season. In 2019, he signed with Chelsea, where he continues to impress on the field.
Pulisic has also been a key player for the US Men’s National Team, making his debut in 2016 at the age of 17. He has scored 16 goals and provided 14 assists for the national team in just 34 appearances, including an impressive hat-trick against Trinidad and Tobago in 2019.
Pulisic is considered one of the best players of the decade due to his exceptional skill, speed, and technical ability on the field. He has consistently demonstrated his ability to create scoring opportunities for his team and has been recognized as one of the top young talents in the sport.
In terms of statistics, Pulisic’s performance speaks for itself. During his time at Dortmund, he scored 19 goals and provided 26 assists in 127 appearances. He has also scored 14 goals and provided 4 assists in 52 appearances for Chelsea thus far. Pulisic’s individual success, coupled with his contributions to his club and national team, make him a clear choice for one of the best USA soccer team players of the decade.
Clint Dempsey
Clint Dempsey is a retired forward who played for several top-tier clubs during his career, including Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur in the English Premier League. He is widely regarded as one of the best USA soccer team players of the decade.
Dempsey began his professional career with the New England Revolution in Major League Soccer (MLS), where he quickly became a fan favorite. He went on to play for Fulham from 2007 to 2012, where he helped the team reach the UEFA Europa League final in 2010. He then moved to Tottenham Hotspur in 2012, where he played for one season before returning to MLS to play for the Seattle Sounders.
Dempsey also made a significant impact for the US Men’s National Team, scoring 57 goals and providing 21 assists in 141 appearances. He played a crucial role in the team’s success during the 2010 and 2014 World Cups, scoring important goals in both tournaments.
Dempsey is considered one of the best players of the decade due to his versatility, leadership, and clutch performances. He was known for his ability to score goals in critical moments and was often called upon to lead the team in high-pressure situations.
In terms of statistics, Dempsey’s record speaks for itself. During his time in the Premier League, he scored 57 goals and provided 17 assists in 218 appearances. He also scored 72 goals and provided 50 assists in 232 appearances in MLS. Dempsey’s consistent excellence both domestically and internationally make him a clear choice for one of the best USA soccer team players of the decade.
Michael Bradley
Michael Bradley is a midfielder who has played for several top-tier clubs during his career, including Roma in Italy’s Serie A and Toronto FC in Major League Soccer (MLS). He is widely regarded as one of the best USA soccer team players of the decade.
Bradley began his professional career with the New York/New Jersey MetroStars (now known as the New York Red Bulls) in MLS. He went on to play for various clubs in Europe, including Borussia Monchengladbach and Roma, where he established himself as a solid and dependable midfielder. In 2014, he returned to MLS to play for Toronto FC, where he has been a mainstay in the team’s midfield ever since.
Bradley has also been an important player for the US Men’s National Team, making his debut in 2006 at the age of 18. He has since earned over 150 caps for the national team, scoring 17 goals and providing 23 assists. He played a key role in the team’s success during the 2010 and 2014 World Cups, where he was named to the All-Star Team for both tournaments.
Bradley is considered one of the best players of the decade due to his intelligence, vision, and leadership on the field. He is known for his ability to read the game and make timely passes to his teammates, as well as his strong work ethic and dedication to the sport.
In terms of statistics, Bradley’s numbers are impressive. He has scored 17 goals and provided 33 assists in 189 appearances in MLS, and has also been a consistent performer for the US Men’s National Team. His consistency and impact on both the club and national team level make him a clear choice for one of the best USA soccer team players of the decade.
Tim Howard
Tim Howard is a retired goalkeeper who played for several top-tier clubs during his career, including Manchester United and Everton in the English Premier League. He is widely regarded as one of the best USA soccer team players of the decade.
Howard began his professional career with the New York/New Jersey MetroStars (now known as the New York Red Bulls) in MLS. He then moved to Manchester United in 2003, where he served as the team’s first-choice goalkeeper for several seasons. In 2007, he moved to Everton, where he became a fan favorite and established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League.
Howard also made a significant impact for the US Men’s National Team, earning over 100 caps for the national team during his career. He played a crucial role in the team’s success during the 2010 and 2014 World Cups, where he made a number of key saves and was named to the All-Star Team for both tournaments.
Howard is considered one of the best players of the decade due to his exceptional shot-stopping ability, command of his area, and leadership on the field. He was known for his incredible reflexes and ability to make saves that seemed impossible.
In terms of statistics, Howard’s record is impressive. During his time at Everton, he kept 112 clean sheets in 354 appearances, and made over 1,100 saves. He also made 121 saves during the 2014 World Cup, the most of any goalkeeper in the tournament. Howard’s consistent excellence both domestically and internationally make him a clear choice for one of the best USA soccer team players of the decade.
Jozy Altidore
Jozy Altidore is a forward who has played for several clubs during his career, including AZ Alkmaar in the Dutch Eredivisie and Toronto FC in Major League Soccer (MLS). He is widely regarded as one of the best USA soccer team players of the decade.
Altidore began his professional career with the New York Red Bulls in MLS before moving to Europe to play for Villarreal and several other clubs. In 2013, he signed with AZ Alkmaar, where he had a breakout season, scoring 23 goals in 33 appearances. He then returned to MLS to play for Toronto FC, where he has been a mainstay in the team’s attack ever since.
Altidore has also been a key player for the US Men’s National Team, earning over 120 caps for the national team during his career. He has scored 42 goals and provided 14 assists for the national team, making him one of the team’s top scorers of all time.
Altidore is considered one of the best players of the decade due to his physicality, technical ability, and goal-scoring prowess. He has consistently demonstrated his ability to score goals at the highest level, both for his club and national team.
In terms of statistics, Altidore’s record is impressive. He has scored 75 goals and provided 32 assists in 190 appearances in MLS, and has also been a consistent performer for the US Men’s National Team. His contributions to the team’s attack, combined with his exceptional skill and physicality, make him a clear choice for one of the best USA soccer team players of the decade.
Alex Morgan
Alex Morgan is a forward who has played for several clubs during her career, including the Portland Thorns in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and Olympique Lyonnais in France’s Division 1 Féminine. She is widely regarded as one of the best USA soccer team players of the decade.
Morgan began her professional career with the Western New York Flash in the Women’s Professional Soccer (WPS) league. She then moved to the Seattle Sounders Women in 2012 before joining the Portland Thorns in 2013, where she won the NWSL championship in her first season with the club. In 2017, she signed with Olympique Lyonnais, where she won three consecutive UEFA Women’s Champions League titles.
Morgan has also been a key player for the US Women’s National Team, earning over 180 caps for the national team during her career. She has scored 123 goals and provided 43 assists for the national team, making her one of the team’s top scorers of all time.
Morgan is considered one of the best players of the decade due to her speed, technical ability, and goal-scoring prowess. She has consistently demonstrated her ability to score goals at the highest level, both for her club and national team, and has been recognized as one of the top players in the sport.
In terms of statistics, Morgan’s record is impressive. She has scored 65 goals and provided 22 assists in 94 appearances in the NWSL, and has also been a consistent performer for the US Women’s National Team. Her contributions to the team’s attack, combined with her exceptional skill and speed, make her a clear choice for one of the best USA soccer team players of the decade.
Julie Ertz
Julie Ertz is a midfielder who has played for the Chicago Red Stars in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and the US Women’s National Team. She is widely regarded as one of the best USA soccer team players of the decade.
Ertz began her professional career with the Chicago Red Stars in 2013 and quickly established herself as one of the top defensive midfielders in the league. She has been a consistent performer for the Red Stars ever since, helping the team reach the NWSL championship game several times.
Ertz has also been a key player for the US Women’s National Team, earning over 100 caps for the national team during her career. She has played in multiple World Cups and Olympic Games, and has been an integral part of the team’s success during the past decade.
Ertz is considered one of the best players of the decade due to her versatility, defensive prowess, and leadership on the field. She is known for her ability to play multiple positions and her willingness to do whatever it takes to help her team succeed.
In terms of statistics, Ertz’s record is impressive. She has scored 20 goals and provided 12 assists in 118 appearances for the US Women’s National Team, and has also been a consistent performer for the Chicago Red Stars. Her contributions to the team’s defense, combined with her exceptional skill and leadership, make her a clear choice for one of the best USA soccer team players of the decade.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the best USA soccer team players of the decade have been identified based on their exceptional performances, leadership, and achievements. Christian Pulisic, Clint Dempsey, Michael Bradley, Tim Howard, Jozy Altidore, Alex Morgan, and Julie Ertz have all demonstrated their exceptional skill and dedication to the sport, contributing to the team’s success over the past 10 years.
These players have not only achieved individual success but have also played crucial roles in the team’s victories, both domestically and internationally. Their contributions have helped elevate the US Men’s and Women’s National Teams to new heights and have inspired a new generation of soccer players in the United States.
Looking to the future, the USA soccer team’s success shows no signs of slowing down. With a new generation of talented players coming through the ranks and the continued excellence of the current crop of players, there is no doubt that the team will continue to make waves on the international stage. The future looks bright for the United States Men’s and Women’s National Soccer Teams, and we can’t wait to see what the next decade holds.