With USA set to co-host the 2026 World Cup alongside Canada and Mexico, the future of American soccer looks bright. The United States Male National Team (USMNT) is about to hit a golden generation following years of disappointment. Although captain Christian Pulisic is the most notable among the current crop of stars, the team boasts of other exciting talents who are set to take the international scene by storm in the coming years.
In this piece, TOP SOCCER BLOG brings you the top USMNT players in 2020.
1. CHRISTIAN PULISIC (CHELSEA)
Pulisic arrived Chelsea as a £58m signing from Borussia Dortmund in 2019 — becoming the most expensive American player of all time. With Chelsea having just lost Eden Hazard to Real Madrid, there was pressure on Pulisic to fill-in the Belgian’s shoes at Stamford Bridge. Barring his injury struggles, Pulisic has performed fairly well.
His hat-trick against Burnley this season made him the youngest player in Chelsea history to score a Premier League hat-trick (at 21-years-old). Pulisic became the youngest captain in USMNT history at just 20 years of age in November 2018. So far, he has 8 goals and 6 assists in 26 appearances in all competitions this season. He has also scored 14 goals in 34 appearances for the USMNT since making his debut.
2. SERGINO DEST (AJAX)
Born in the Netherlands, Dest was caught in between representing the Netherlands and the USA. He eventually opted to represent the US, debuting for them in November 2019. Having been introduced to the Ajax first team from the academy this season, the 19-year-old has made the right-back position his own; with impressive displays. A genuine attacking threat who chips in with assists as he regularly goes up and down the pitch with his relentless energy while also strong and reliable defensively as he never shies away from making tackles.
Dest won the US Soccer Young Male Athlete of the year in 2019 and the Ajax Talent of the Year in 2020. He made 36 appearances in all competitions this season, scoring 2 goals and providing 6 assists.
3. GIOVANNI REYNA (BORUSSIA DORTMUND)
The rave of the moment in American football. Reyna is the son of legendary USMNT captain Claudio Reyna — who made over 100 appearances for the US and played in 4 World Cups. His mother, Danielle Egan, was also a footballer who represented the United States Women National Team (USWNT). Giovanni was drafted into Borussia Dortmund’s senior team in January 2020 and made some impressive performances in the Bundesliga, DFB Pokal, and the Champions League. At just 17-year-old, Reyna became the youngest American to appear in the Bundesliga — a record previously held by Christian Pulisic.
He had a goal and 2 assists in 18 appearances in all competitions this season.
4. WESTON McKENNIE (SCHALKE 04)
A very versatile player whose versatility has made him a valuable asset for his club, McKennie is a player to look forward to in the future. The 21-year-old made 32 appearances in 2019/20 in all competitions, scoring 3 goals and providing a sole assist.
5. JOHN BROOKS (WOLFSBURG)
John Brooks has noticeably stepped up a gear this season. The 27-year-old has become a stalwart in Wolfsburg’s defense this season, and this bodes well for the USMNT going into the future. Brooks made 30 appearances with a goal and an assist in all competitions this season.
6. JOSH SARGENT (WERDER BREMEN)
Having broken through last season, the striker has struggled to live up to the immense expectations on his shoulders this season. But Sargent’s struggled can be attributed to his club’s overall troubles in 2019/20, and the 20-year-old still remains a valuable asset for the USMNT going forward. He scored 4 goals and provided 5 assists in 32 appearances in all competitions this season.
7 DeAndre YEDLIN (NEWCASTLE UNITED)
With the team full of youngsters, experience is needed to guide the younger players, Yedlin is among the senior players in the USMNT. Yedlin boasts of valuable English Premier League experience, having played for Tottenham, Sunderland, and Newcastle — where he has been since 2016.
The fullback has made 26 appearances in all competitions this season so far, scoring a single goal.
8. JOSMER “JOZY” ALTIDORE (TORONTO FC)
Another experienced member of the current USMNT team with 110 caps, having made his international debut in 2007. The 30-year-old striker has a wealth of experience at his disposal to help guide the younger generation forward.
NOTABLE MENTIONS
Matt Miazga (Chelsea)
Chris Richards (Bayern Munich)
Tyler Adams (RB Leipzig)
Konrad de la Fuente (Barcelona)
Timothy Weah (Lille)
Richie Ledezma (PSV)
Ulysses Llanez (Wolfsburg)
Timothy Chandler (Eintracht Frankfurt)
Zack Steffen (Fortuna Duesseldorf)
Written by Muftaudeen Abdullahi Ishola
