Can the United States win the World Cup within the next 10 years? The answer to this question is a bit complicated. However, we must admit that the program itself is currently in the midst of what appears to be a very promising Golden Generation. Young American players are emerging all across Europe. Even more exciting, these players are plying their trades at massive clubs.
This piece will take a look at the top Americans currently playing across the pond. Without question, this group should be integral in creating the spine for what many feel is the most talented collection of American players ever assembled.
Honorable Mentions: Matthew Hoppe, Tyler Boyd, Tim Chandler, Joe Scally, Emmanuel Sabbi, Indiana Vassilev, Richie Ledezma, Ethan Horvath, Bryan Okoh, Tim Ream, Matthew Olosunde, Bobby Pierre, Christian Cappis, Kik Pierie, Brendan Hines-Ike, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Malick Sanogo, Kobe Hernandez-Foster, Johan Gomez, Bryang Kayo, Leon Flach, Shaq Moore, Kenny Saief, Alex Mendez, Alfredo Morales, Duane Holmes, Jonathan Amon, Chris Durkin, Chituru Odunze, Damian Las, C.J. Dos Santos, Leo Sepulveda, Nico Carrera, Jonathan Tomkinson, Taylor Booth, Zach Booth, Federico Oliva, Aethan Yohannes, Adrian Simons Gill, Ben Lederman, Cameron Harper, Matteo Ritaccio, Aron Johannsson, Mason Judge
Note: We’ve chosen to not include speculative prospects who are highly rated — though might not yet be close to first-team football. Bryan Reynolds was also excluded for the fact his on-going transfer saga has yet to be definitively cleared up.
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25. Mark McKenzie — KRC Genk (21)
McKenzie isn’t in Europe just yet (hence why he slots at No. 25 within our list). However, recent reports from Sky Sports indicate McKenzie will end up with Belgian club Genk. Media outlets suggest Genk and Philadelphia Union agreed on a price of five million euros. This is a big step up in McKenzie’s career. He’ll be joining a side fighting for a spot in both Champions League/Europa League. Duly, it’s a club known for developing top talents. The likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Thibault Courtois, Kalidou Koulibaly, Wilfred Ndidi, and Yannick Carrasco all hailed from Genk. Assuming McKenzie performs up to his potential, this could be a tremendous stepping stone to a bigger league down the line.
Update: McKenzie has officially signed with Genk (transfer fee of $6 million)
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24. Folarin Balogun — Arsenal (19)
While Balogun has insisted he’s all locked in with England, the clock is ticking on that experiment. The current youth set-up in England is absolutely loaded. There’s no guarantee the talented striker will ever break through as a player for England’s senior side. Fortunately, he has the option of representing the United States. Even more exciting, he plays at a position where the U.S. is lacking when it comes to a proven commodity. We’ve seen glimpses of how good Balogun can truly be. Clubs across Europe have been trying to poach him from Arsenal for over the last year. Balogun has represented the U.S. in youth competitions before — which bodes well should he decided to switch (though he’s also eligible for Nigeria).
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23. Konrad — FC Barcelona (19)
The tricky winger out of Miami made a major breakthrough this year. While still on the fringes of Barcelona’s first team, Konrad did make multiple appearances for the Catalan giant. This is a sizable achievement no matter how you slice it. While he’s not yet good enough to consistently feature for Barcelona, there’s no doubting Konrad’s overall talent level. He should go out on loan to further his development rather than getting spot minutes here and there. Konrad figures to be a big piece to the future puzzle for both the u23’s and the senior national team.
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22. Erik Palmer-Brown — Manchester City/Austria Wien (23)
Palmer-Brown is a center back consistently starting in Europe. Not many Americans can say the same thing. He’s an athletic player with decent ball skills — both trapping and in terms of distribution. With that said, EPB still appears to be on the outs as it pertains to the national team. We’ll be curious to see if he can somehow emerge into the picture. As of right now, he’s pretty far back in the pecking order (which includes both MLS and European-based players).
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21. Uly Llanez — VfL Wolfsburg/SC Heerenveen (19)
The Los Angeles winger is in a good spot. He’s clearly rated by Gregg Berhalter and the staff. Originally a fixture on youth national teams, Llanez has recently been integrated into the senior side. Unlike most of the other winger options not named Christian Pulisic, Llanez brings a real willingness to stretch the pitch and attack opposing defenders with an array of creative tricks. He isn’t afraid to force the issue — something which has proven to work when putting pressure on the opponent. Llanez hasn’t enjoyed huge chunks of minutes thus far during his loan to Dutch side Heerenveen. Regardless, we believe he’s on the right track to being a regular with the USMNT.
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20. Sebastian Soto — Norwich City/SC Telstar (20)
All Soto does is score goals. He’s not the quickest or fastest player — nor will he break defenders down off the dribble. At each level, the San Diego native has proven to be a true poacher. Soto’s uncanny timing has a lot to do with his instincts in and around the box. He positions himself exceptionally well to strike — whether the ball is bouncing around or if in the air. On loan to Dutch side Telstar, Soto has already bagged seven goals in only 11 appearances. There are rumors Norwich City (who sit atop the Championship table) might be calling Soto up due to injury concerns within the squad. This would be a massive opportunity for Soto.
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19. Owen Otasowie — Wolverhampton Wanderers (20)
Born in New York, raised in England, and eligible for Nigeria, Otasowie has (as of now) committed to play for the United States. He featured in one of the friendlies this past November. Most recently, he’s become a first-team regular for established EPL side Wolves. While he’s not yet on this level, Otasowie’s game is reminiscent to that of a young Paul Pogba. He physically stands out at 6-foot-3 — primarily because he’s an offensive-minded player with fluid athletic ability. Some think his long-term position is as a center back. However, Otasowie appears most comfortable in the midfield — either as a No. 6 or as a box-to-box No. 8. His emergence as a regular in the Premier League makes him one to watch for the 2022 cycle.
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18. Niko Gioacchini — Caen (20)
Gioacchini is sitting squarely in the mix of the jumbled No. 9 spot for the USMNT. After impressing with Caen in Ligue 2, the Kansas City native got a call-up to the senior side for the set of friendlies this past November. Starting for the States, Gioacchini notched two goals versus Panama. At the very worst, he’ll be called in again for another look prior to qualifying beginning. Gioacchini has the versatility to play both centrally and out wide. He’s one of those players with a real nose for the goal — largely based upon his impressive movement in the box.
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17. DeAndre Yedlin — Newcastle United (27)
Though Yedlin hasn’t been in Gregg Berhalter’s plans thus far, he does merit mention based upon the fact he’s getting minutes for a Premier League side. Yedlin seemed to be completely on the outs at Newcastle before a recent spell which saw the Seattle native collect a couple of starts. Realistically, this was done as a means to showcase Yedlin on the transfer market. To his credit, he did perform well for Newcastle towards the end of 2020. Rumors are swirling that Turkish club Besiktas is interested. We could see a scenario in which an MLS team tries and scoops Yedlin up on a discount. As for his future with the national team, Yedlin appears to be on the outside looking in (especially with the right back position among the deepest in the pool currently).
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16. Brenden Aaronson — RB Salzburg (20)
Aaronson has some big shoes to fill. Coming over from Philadelphia Union, the attacking midfielder is expected to replace Dominik Szoboszlai — the Hungarian wunderkind who lit up both the Austrian Bundesliga and the Champions League. Fortunately for Aaronson, his transition should be made easier by the presence of American manager Jesse Marsch. Aaronson needs to refine his game a bit — particularly in the final third. Regardless, the club has high hopes for his future. He’s a very talented kid with the potential to break into the senior USMNT sooner than later.
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15. Julian Green — Greuther Furth (25)
People might be shocked to know that Julian Green is only still 25 years of age. It wasn’t too long ago when a baby Green scored a goal versus Belgium off the bench in the Knockout Stage of the 2014 World Cup. After failing to break through at Bayern Munich (no easy task), Green has toiled primarily in the 2. Bundesliga. Since joining Greuther Furth, Green has been the fulcrum of the team’s attack. He functions as an attacking midfielder, and has been by all accounts the club’s most important player. The team is currently in a position for promotion to the Bundesliga. With the lack of a true No. 10 in this pool, Green might get another look before too long.
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14. Zack Steffen — Manchester City (25)
Steffen has started five matches in all competitions for Man City since joining from Fortuna Dusseldorf (as of Jan. 5). During this time, Steffen has conceded only three goals en route to a 5-0-0 overall record. With Ederson currently battling COVID-19, Steffen figures to get a good run of games throughout the month of January. Despite the Matt Turner enthusiasts on Twitter, Steffen is the clear No. 1 for the United States at this point.
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13. Tim Weah — Lille (20)
After a very tough road back from multiple hamstring injuries, Tim Weah is finally starting to display the quality he flashed during the u20 World Cup. Lille has slotted Weah everywhere from the No. 9 spot to the wing — and even sometimes as a right back. His confidence has continued to grow since bagging two goals over his last three matches (dating back to December). His role within the side has increased as well, which is key considering he’s been able to stay healthy. Assuming Weah keeps producing, there’s a real chance he could be in contention for a starting spot with the USMNT (depending upon the tactical alignment).
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12. Chris Richards — Bayern Munich (20)
Richards continues to sit on the fringe of the Bayern Munich first team. He’s seen spot appearances both at right back and at his natural center back spot throughout the year. However, he’s not playing enough to justify him staying on the roster. Richards would truly benefit from a loan in which he’s playing consistent football. This situation is likely preventing him from getting a real look as the potential running mate alongside John Brooks in the center of the U.S. defense.
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11. Reggie Cannon — Boavista (22)
Despite Boavista’s immense struggles on the year (currently in relegation zone), Cannon has been one of the club’s steadiest performers. He’s not the attacking threat that Antonee Robinson or Sergino Dest are. However, Cannon is a player with a very workmanlike approach. He rarely is caught out of position, and is always looking to shuttle the ball forward to teammates. Should Boavista get relegated, it’s a virtual lock for Cannon to be sold elsewhere. His ceiling is that of a mid-table French or German side.
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10. Matt Miazga — Anderlecht (25)
The right side CB spot next to John Brooks is a complete toss-up at this point. There are a number of candidates vying for the starting gig. At this point, we’d have to give the slight edge to Matt Miazga. On loan from Chelsea, Miazga finally found the perfect landing spot after unsuccessful spells at Nantes and Reading, respectively. Miazga immediately ingratiated himself as a starter from Day 1 with the Belgian club. Even more promising, Miazga is currently learning under the tutelage of iconic former center back Vincent Kompany. Miazga’s emergence as a weekly starter for a solid European side (at a position of need) is a big development for the national team’s prospects heading into World Cup Qualifying.
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9. Antonee Robinson — Fulham (23)
There are questions as to how Robinson fits with the national team. He hasn’t performed very well under Gregg Berhalter, and some are even calling for Sergino Dest to fit in at the LB spot despite not being a naturally left-footed player. On the club level, it’s a completely different story. Robinson has been one of the Premier League’s top-rated left backs thus far. His ability to race up the field into the attacking third has always been Robinson’s biggest strength. Even if Fulham goes back down to the Championship, Robinson should be scooped up by a bigger club. He’ll undoubtedly still have a place on the USMNT (whether as a starter or a reserve).
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8. Yunus Musah — Valencia (18)
The former youth England international recently participated for the senior United States Men’s National Team in a round of friendlies this past year. The matches don’t cap-tie Musah to the United States officially. However, the program has done a terrific job in integrating Musah — both on the field and via social media. He fits the timeline of this young group, and has seemingly already built strong bonds with his peers. Additionally, his path to becoming a regular in first team international football seems much clearer with the United States when compared to England. A powerful yet skilled player, Musah adds considerable quality next to Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie in the midfield.
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7. Josh Sargent — Werder Bremen (20)
Sargent doesn’t get the credit he deserves. People will look at his statistics and instantly bury him for not scoring enough goals. When looking at the bigger picture, Werder Bremen is among the worst at creating quality scoring chances. Often times, Sargent is stranded up top on an island — either pressing the opposition or standing in the attacking third with minimal service. With that said, Sargent has gotten considerably better at the little things (hold-up play, defensive responsibilities, physicality). There’s a reason he’s a weekly starter in the Bundesliga, which is something few 20-year-olds can say. Assuming he makes the leap to another club, we should be able to see Sargent finally unleashed as a legitimate goal scoring threat.
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6. John Brooks — VfL Wolfsburg (27)
Funnily enough, the 27-year-old is a bit of an elder statesman for this burgeoning crop across the pond. Brooks has the experience of playing in a World Cup, as well as being a starter in the Bundesliga dating back to 2012. He is without a doubt the best center back in the pool (and it’s not particularly close). Brooks is excellent in the air, and has a a wand-like left foot which can spray the ball all over the park. He admittedly struggles with pace at times (particularly when asked to change direction and backpedal). Regardless, you can pencil Brooks in the Starting XI for the current World Cup cycle (and potentially the one after that).
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5. Tyler Adams — RB Leipzig (21)
Adams is a rock-solid performer for both club and country. Leipzig utilizes him in a number of ways. He’s most comfortable cleaning up as a destroyer at the No. 6 position. With that said, Adams possesses the versatility to perform as a right wingback — and even as a defender in a man-marking set-up. When not starting for Leipzig, Adams is usually one of the first men off the bench. He’s a lock to start for the United States when healthy. If he continues on his current trajectory, there’s no doubt that Adams will eventually be playing for an even bigger club.
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4. Sergiño Dest — FC Barcelona (20)
Sure, this isn’t your typical FCB side. Regardless, we’ve never seen an American develop into a weekly starter for arguably the biggest club in the world. Dest’s transfer from Ajax to FC Barcelona has been quite smooth. Initially functioning as a substitute, he’s since become the club’s starting right back. Clever and tricky with the ball at his feet, Dest continues to prove why he’s one of the best u23 players in the entire world (regardless of position). He gives the U.S. the type of dynamic attacking prowess from the fullback spot that we haven’t seen potentially ever. At the very least, he’s the most technical outside back in the program’s history.
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3. Giovanni Reyna — Borussia Dortmund (18)
Reyna first debuted for German giant Borussia Dortmund at the age of 17. Ever since, he’s been a fixture in the side. There’s an elegance to his game which is both rare for an American player — though also for a player in his age bracket. Reyna’s natural athletic ability takes over when gliding past defenders en route to goal. There are elite levels of confidence and calmness on the ball. Reyna’s ability to facilitate centrally and from wide positions has enabled him to start most matches over the last calendar year (over the likes of German international Julian Brandt and Belgian international Thorgan Hazard, among others). When it’s all said and done, Reyna might be the most gifted footballer to ever hail from the United States.
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2. Weston McKennie – Juventus (22)
When McKennie first moved to Juve, many across the globe were skeptical. The Dallas native was billed as a player with terrific physical traits, and merely average technical ability. Plus, he was leaving (at the time) a mid-table German club for the biggest club in Italy. Thus far, McKennie has proven all of the doubters wrong. He’s played so well, in fact, that he’s solidified himself as a regular starter over a France National Team player (Adrien Rabiot) and a Brazil National Team player (Arthur). McKennie’s swashbuckling style of play — coupled with his improving skills spatially and technically — has many comparing him to a young Arturo Vidal.
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1. Christian Pulisic — Chelsea (22)
Christian Pulisic is the most recognizable American currently playing abroad in any league around the world. To illustrate Pulisic’s newfound explosion, his jersey is the second-best selling soccer jersey in the entire United States (behind only Lionel Messi). This sort of development is absolutely unheard of — especially considering Pulisic bested the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Kylian Mbappe, Marcus Rashford and others when it comes to popularity. He is without a doubt the most marketed American player since Landon Donovan. Along with that, he’s arguably the best attacking player on one of the planet’s most well-known clubs (Chelsea). Assuming he can stay healthy, Pulisic will be the main focal point for the United States as it looks to vault itself towards global relevancy in both 2022 and in 2026.
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