USMNT
2020 Ranking of MLS Academies 23-11
Over the last decade we saw numerous changes in the American player development ecosystem. All of the changes we made derived from when the United States Soccer Development Academy decide to go from a Spring season league to a 10-month year-round league starting in the fall of 2011.
From there we have seen the quality of the average American soccer player increase, the depth of youth national teams spike, and the rise of Major League Soccer academies. Over the last five years MLS academies have seen a major increase in funding allowing them to provide better coaching, a professional training environment, a laid-out pathway to professional soccer, and better opportunities to go pro either through their teams or through opportunities to be found by a European scout.
The academies have become stable enough that U.S. SOCCER decided to close the under-17 men’s national team residency down in Bradenton as the clubs would actually provide a better environment for players to develop in.
Now as we head into the new decade we will see the MLS academies grow and provide a system that elite players all over the country will be able to join and fight for a chance to become a professional soccer player. Now we are seeing a few clubs who have earned the right to say they are the best of the best in youth development and we have clubs who used to not care about player development who have begun investing in their club to produce their own homegrown talent. Here I will lay out my opinion of where each active American Major League Soccer academy ranks amongst each other and will explain why I have determined these rankings.
The MLS Academies Rankings
Counting backward from 23. The first four teams are ranked at the bottom because their academies are so young that it is unfair to judge them on the same curve as the other 19 academies.
23. Nashville SC
Nashville comes in last in this list because while they do have an MLS team, their academy will not start their first season until later this year. THe academy will be completely hit or miss. When you look at southern states like Tennessee, Alabama, and Louisiana there is a lot of production in other sports (mostly football) so there is hope that they can launch a successful academy in a market that really has not shown much care for soccer.
If they can identify and recruit players out of Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana to go along with the best players from Tennessee, then they do have a chance to produce some gems as those states do have the talent. The only thing to do is sit back and watch them work.
22. FC Cincinnati
FC Cincinnati better get used to not being very good as their academy will likely be one of the worst MLS academies in the league for a long time. Larry Sunderland is a very good coach but they will need to actively recruit around the country to find players and will be competing for players against other small market clubs with much better track records. The area of Cincinnati has been very poor at developing players. Bobby Puppione’s time at Cincinnati United Premier saw some very good players come through but none that would have been good enough to step up to the MLS level.
They are a club that is in an area that does not have a lot of talent, surrounded by other cities with their own professional soccer academies (Louisville City FC, the Columbus Crew, and most likely Indy 11 at some point) and a club without much of a track record for player development will make things challenging to bring youth into their first team. I would not expect this club to see results from their academy and I hope that Larry Sunderland can go to another club because he is too good of a coach to fight a losing battle.
21. Minnesota United
Minnesota United are about a year or two away from no longer being considered a new academy so they will need to start signing their talented local players. They have rolled out their academy in as slow of a manner as possible which is a huge knock against them as they are now in their third year of having an academy and have only signed Fred Emmings, a goalkeeper. One has to wonder why they did not choose to absorb the Minnesota Thunder or Shattuck St Mary’s academies like Atlanta, who came into the league the same season, did with Georgia United which allowed them to immediately sign Andrew Carleton, Chris Goslin, George Bello, Patrick Okonkwo, and Lagos Kunga.
The positives for Minnesota United are that they do have two very talented players in their academy. Their next homegrown signing will be Patrick Weah, the cousin of Tim and nephew of George Weah. Patrick Weah however, is not the most talented player in their academy. That title belongs to Bajung Darboe who is already playing up at the u16/17 level (2003’s) as a 2006. Darboe is one of the best players of his age group and will be a key player for youth national teams until the 2028 Olympics where he will still be eligible. Minnesota needs to sign both players as soon as possible.
20. Inter Miami
The best of the new academies is Inter Miami. They are owned by David Beckham who knows more than all what it takes to develop players. Beckham has stated multiple times that Miami plans to be a youth first club and seeing as how they are in a soccer hotbed in southern Florida there is a very good reason to be optimistic that this academy will be a conveyor belt of elite players every year.
There are two players to particularly be excited about in their academy currently: Franky Raggio and Axel Perez. Raggio has just been seen training with the u23 men’s national team and it should be assumed that he will be the club’s first homegrown signing. Axel Perez is the player that people should keep an eye on over the years. Perez is very young (he is a 2007 and turns 13 this year) but has the composure, technical skills, and soccer IQ of a player much older than him and is a player who is regarded by many to be a potential wonder kid and is the best player in his age group so far, keep an eye on him.
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Rankings 19-1 are of the established MLS academies who have had ample opportunity to develop a competitive and quality academy.
19. Portland Timbers
Portland has taken the prize for the worst Major League Soccer academy. The only teams ranked lower than them are there because they are so young that you can’t actually rank them fairly. Portland has literally done nothing with their academy since they became a team in 2011. Their best academy product is Marco Farfan… yes, I know, that’s depressing to think about.
There are no excuses for their complete lack of success as other teams in smaller markets have managed to develop their own prospects. Portland had a gem in Rubio Rubin who they couldn’t even convince to join their academy as he elected to play for Westside Metros instead. They destroyed the career of Adrian Villegas as well who was a pretty promising midfielder. The only player in their academy with a future in professional soccer is Masango Akale, younger brother of former u16 youth national team standout Mukwelle Akale. They are without a doubt, the worst Major League Soccer academy.
18. Orlando City
The only positive about Orlando City’s academy is that they are not as bad as the Portland Timbers but outside of that there is nothing good to say. They have four homegrown players on their roster and only one was signed directly out of the academy which is Jordan Bender. Orlando City is now entering their sixth season so there is no reason that they could not have produced one player capable of getting first team minutes as a teenager. The area is not lacking for talent either so that is not an excuse, just ask Dillon Payne (@DontTreadSoccer) and he will tell you about every talented player the area has ever had and then fall into depression after because Orlando City are so terrible.
The only good thing is that they at least have a USL team that has played academy players but that is literally it, there is nothing else that can be thought of as a positive for this academy. They should not be expected to improve unless they are taken over by new ownership and hire a new GM. If you are an Orlando City fan, I am sorry.
17. Houston Dynamo
The Dynamo’s only successful homegrown is Memo Rodriguez and from there their only real academy prospect is Marcelo Palomino who is back in Houston after not finding a club in Europe. Houston like Chicago sit on top of a massive metro population so the complete lack of production falls directly under the reasoning of the organization being completely incompetent.
There is hope for the Dynamo as they have brought in the best youth coach in the country in USMNT legend and former u20 youth national team coach Tab Ramos. No one in the country knows more about the youth landscape than Tab and no one knows how to better develop young players than Tab. If there was an academy to bet on becoming a power house out of nowhere then bet on the Dynamo. Tab will likely revitalize the Dynamo to become the second homegrown factory in the state and a real rival to FC Dallas.
16. Chicago Fire
Chicago may be the most disappointing of the MLS academies yet. This is because they have had success at the Development Academy level and then refused to sign hardly any players out of high school until 2019. The only exception to this has been Djordje Mihailovic who has plateaued over the course of 2019. They have waited too long to sign players and let them go to college when they could have immediately been signed out of high school. The list of players that apply for this are Mauricio Pineda, Grant Lillard, and Harrison Shipp. The list of players who have played for other clubs in the area or the Fire have passed on signing is down right depressing. Here are some of those names: Andrija Novakovic, Chris Mueller, Emmanuel Sabbi, Joshua Penn, Cam Lindley, Axel Alejandre, Andrew Gutman, Michael Jimenez, Perry Kitchen, and so many more. The most disappointing part is that they discontinued their u18/19 Development Academy team which means that their best prospects have been stuck playing at the u17 level all season which is not a high enough level for their development.
However, there is some very good news. They may have finally learned their lesson! Since the start of 2019 they have actually decided to start signing players including Gabe Slonina, Nick Slonina, Andre Reynolds, Javier Casas, Brian Gutierrez, and Alex Monis. They also have two of the best 2004’s in the country in Allan Rodriguez-Lopez and Justin Reynolds who will be receiving contracts soon enough. On top of that the Fire have also announced a partnership with Forward Madison FC in the USL where they will be able to send all of those signings to get minutes against better competition. If the club’s new ownership decides to dive into the academy then they could quickly become a power house as the Fire are home to the third largest metro-population and have relatively little competition for players compared to other MLS academies.
15. New England Revolution
The best of the worst is the New England Revolution. The good news is they have had some success with Diego Fagundez, and Scott Caldwell. The bad news is that is all they have done since becoming a team in 1996. They should have signed Justin Rennicks when he was 18 but decided to be petty and wait an extra two years just because he went and trained at other clubs in Europe.
There are some positives that have recently developed. They have announced the addition of a USL team and have picked up the rate of signing homegrown players. The potential downside is that Bruce Arena is their coach and he was not exactly friendly to young players during his recent tenure at the Galaxy or with the USMNT (Pulisic doesn’t count). Take the steps they have taken recently with care, we have no idea if the organization will change their ways yet.
14. Los Angeles FC
LAFC ranks very high for a brand-new academy because they already have numerous prospects who are contract ready including Antonio Leone, Erik Duenas, Luis Lima, Donovan Palomares, and Christian Torres. At the rate they are going, they will quickly surpass LA Galaxy’s academy in the same manner as how their first team has quickly emerged as the best soccer team in the city of LA.
What they need now is to sign their first player (looking right at Antonio Leone) and launch a USL team to house all of these young prospects that they are producing.
LAFC has done a fantastic job in developing what I think is the best local scouting networks amongst MLS academies. If you haven’t taken a listen to the Scuffed podcast with LAFC Academy Director Todd Saldana I highly suggest that you do. At the rate LAFC are going, the will become the top academy before the end of the decade.
13. San Jose Earthquakes
San Jose is an academy that is improving but still has a long way to go. They have been a club since 1996 and have managed to only sign seven homegrown players which is to put it lightly… awful. With those homegrown’s they have seen some moderate success as Nick Lima and Tommy Thompson (still the greatest name of all time) have both made regular appearances for the first team over the years and Lima has received nine USMNT caps since Gregg Berhalter took over which is a big positive for the Earthquakes academy. But only seven homegrown players in 24 years as a club is a haunting number. The good news is that four of the seven are 18 or younger so they are trending up as of late.
The key for their academy success is obvious, identify, develop, and sign more players. The Earthquakes sit on top of the fifth largest combined statistical area according to the 2018 census so there is a huge market to get players but they have to start scouting the area more first and make sure the best area talent is in their system. The talent they have signed over the last three years in Gilbert Fuentes, Jacob Akanyirige, Cade Cowell, and Casey Walls are all quality players who have gotten great USL experience and Cowell may potentially be in the immediate first team plans as he made his MLS debut on March 7th this year. So, overall the last few years have been positive for the Earthquakes but they have the potential to be doing much better.
12. Atlanta United
Atlanta United does a great job at producing great prospects at the academy level but they have done a horrific job of taking those academy products and turning them into first team players. Andrew Carleton was the undisputed best prospect for his age group and is now playing for Indy 11 because the first team has failed him, Chris Goslin was a top midfield prospect for the 2000’s and was released from his contract… last I know he was playing in Armenia.
They still have a chance to break the cycle with George Campbell and George Bello. Bello would have been their first homegrown success if not for some very unfortunate injuries. Atlanta are aware of their mistakes as shown in this article by Felipe Cardenas.
What Atlanta does well is identifying talented prospects and turning them into USL level players but taking the next step and getting a player to go from USL to MLS has been a test that Atlanta has yet to pass. Once they can unlock the secret that other clubs have seem to figured out then they will become a youth development gold mine. Their academy is stacked with talent with players like Nigel Prince, Efrain Morales, Will Reilly, Daniel Mangarov, Jackson Conway, Tyler Wolff, Caleb Wiley, Kobey Stoupp, Brendan Lambe, Andrew Durkin, Alan Carleton, Italo Jenkins, Ty Wilson, Ty Wilson and more. If they can finally turn academy players into first team players then they will completely change the player development game and immediately become a top tier academy, but they can’t keep being a homegrown graveyard like they have been up until now or they will fall down this list.
11. Columbus Crew
Columbus have had one incredibly successful homegrown in Wil Trapp and then they have had unsuccessful homegrown players in Ben Swanson and Matt Lampson. Their academy has been improving as of late as they have been ramping up their funding and recruiting efforts which has paid off in three recent signings of Aboubacar Keita, Aidan Morris, and Sebastian Berhalter. They do have some talent in the academy in Elton Chifamba, Sam Sarver, and Noah Hall that should be signed within the next year as well. What is keeping them from the top ten is that under Gregg Berhalter they did not incorporate youth prospects well outside of Wil Trapp who was the poster of the club for the last year.
Columbus need to tap into the Cleveland market more which is completely underserved and sign their promising talents and loan them to USL teams (or… launch your own program that can play at Mapfire Stadium which will soon be vacant). Columbus let players like Aboubacar Keita, Aidan Morris, Sebastian Berhalter and Isaiah Parente go to college when they all should have been signed out of high school and loaned out to get better experience than what college soccer provides. If they can sign, develop, and integrate homegrown players into USL teams and MLS teams at a quicker rate then they will quickly rise up this list.
Check out 10-1 top MLS academies.
USMNT
The No. 9 Timeline: A Historical Look at USMNT Strikers
Thomas Deschaine (@uskeeper on X and us_keeper on Instagram)
Each generation of soccer can be understood through overlapping eras, each one feeding into the next. Some produce deeper pools of talent, while others rely on a handful of standout players. In a recent piece, I looked back at past USMNT goalkeepers and their impact on World Cup teams. That led to a natural follow-up: a deeper dive into the history of USMNT strikers.
For this article, I’ve divided that history into three distinct eras, focusing strictly on past strikers rather than the current pool. I’ll wrap up, however, with some thoughts on where today’s active strikers fit into that broader timeline. For each era I will spotlight four strikers.
According to their media guide, the modern era of the USMNT begins with the 1990 World Cup cycle. While that framing makes some sense, it does gloss over some of the program’s more challenging decades. For the purposes of this, though, we’ll start there as well, especially considering that from 1974 to 1986, the USMNT averaged fewer than 20 matches per cycle and scored less than a goal per game across those four cycles.
Trailblazers: The Early Era of USMNT Strikers
The story of USMNT strikers stretches back nearly 40 years, to a time when goals were often hard to come by, but a handful of players still managed to leave a lasting impression. This was an era defined less by consistent production and more by moments, flashes of quality that stood out during a formative period for the program.
Players like Chris Sullivan, Eric Eichmann, Frank Klopas, and Roy Wegerle all played roles in at least one World Cup cycle and delivered important goals along the way. However, consistency and longevity at the international level proved elusive, reflecting the broader challenges the USMNT faced during this period.
Even so, these players helped lay the groundwork for future generations, establishing the foundation for what the striker position would eventually become.
Bruce Murray (1985 – 1993)
85 Caps, 21 goals, 11 assists
A quick, opportunistic forward known for his movement and ability to capitalize on chances, Bruce Murray was the type of striker the USMNT hadn’t truly seen before. He filled that role throughout the 1990 cycle and into the lead-up to 1994, emerging as the team’s leading scorer during that stretch and helping guide the U.S. to its first World Cup appearance since 1950. At the 1990 World Cup, Murray contributed a goal and an assist, highlighting his impact on the international stage.
Despite his contributions, Murray was ultimately left off the 1994 World Cup squad, one of the final cuts as the program began to turn toward younger options and players competing in Europe at the time.
Eric Wynalda (1990 – 2000)
106 Caps, 34 goals, 17 assists
The premier striker of this era for the USMNT, Eric Wynalda featured in three consecutive World Cups. A dynamic and confident forward, he combined technical ability with a powerful shot, making him a constant goal threat and the focal point of the U.S. attack.
His iconic set-piece goal against Switzerland in the USMNT’s opening match of the 1994 FIFA World Cup remains one of the greatest in tournament history and stands among the best goals ever scored by the USMNT. Wynalda not only delivered in defining moments but also set the tone and standard for the strikers who followed.
Earnie Stewart (1990 – 2004)
101 Caps, 17 goals, 10 assists
Earnie Stewart was a key attacking figure for the USMNT throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, bringing a blend of technical quality, intelligence, and consistency to the squad. Comfortable as both a striker and a second forward, his versatility allowed him to influence matches in multiple ways while effectively linking midfield and attack.
While not a traditional No. 9, Stewart’s movement, awareness, and all-around contributions helped shape the evolution of the USMNT’s forward line during a critical period of growth for the program. He appeared in three World Cups—the 1994 FIFA World Cup, 1998 FIFA World Cup, and 2002 FIFA World Cup—and delivered one of the most iconic moments in U.S. soccer history, scoring the game-winning goal against heavily favored Colombia on home soil in 1994.
Second Generation USMNT Strikers (1996-2010)
The next era of USMNT strikers following the 1994 World Cup produced a tough, hard-nosed group. Several featured in one or more World Cup cycles, led by Josh Wolff, who made both the 2002 and 2006 squads.
Brian Ching and Eddie Johnson were also key figures, earning spots on the 2006 roster, with some arguing they were overlooked later in their careers. Other notable names from that period include Casey Coner, Ante Razov, and Taylor Twellman, players who all had opportunities with the USMNT, but whose form and timing didn’t quite align with World Cup selection. Twellman, in particular, still believes he should have been part of the 2006 squad.
Joe-Max Moore (1992 – 2002)
100 Caps, 24 goals, 14 assists
This was always a bit of a sneaky one for me. Joe-Max Moore was a consistently reliable attacking option for the USMNT during this era, even if he didn’t always get the spotlight. Currently ranked seventh all-time in USMNT goals, Moore contributed across three World Cup cycles and remained a steady presence in the attack.
He’s also one of just five USMNT players to score four goals in a single match, a standout performance that came against El Salvador in 1993. Despite his overall production and longevity, however, Moore was never able to find the back of the net on the World Cup (1994, 1998 and 2002) stage.
Brian McBride (1993 – 2006)
95 Caps, 30 goals, 11 assists
A traditional No. 9, Brian McBride was physical, relentless, and dependable, with a dominant aerial presence in the biggest moments. He put everything on the line for the USMNT, scoring in multiple World Cups (1998 and 2002) and cementing himself as a fixture at the striker position.
One of his most iconic moments came at the 2006 World Cup, when he was elbowed in the face by Italy’s Daniele De Rossi, leaving him bloodied and in need of stitches, yet he still played the full 90 minutes.
Clint Mathis (1998 – 2005)
46 Caps, 12 goals, 9 assists
While Clint Mathis had a relatively brief run with the USMNT, his impact on the attacking position was undeniable. Often deployed as a second striker behind Brian McBride, Mathis was anything but traditional—he thrived as a free-roaming attacker capable of changing a match in an instant, highlighted by his ability to score spectacular long-range goals.
He played a key role for the U.S. at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, scoring a memorable goal against South Korea in the group stage and adding an assist, helping power the team’s historic run.
The Evolving Striker Pool (2009 – 2018)
The striker pool from this generation is an interesting mix, some players were only involved with the USMNT for brief stretches, while others carried over from the previous era and overlapped with this group.
Strikers like Edson Buddle and Hercules Gomez, both part of the 2010 World Cup roster, had limited opportunities and production at the international level. Their inclusion was shaped in part by circumstance, as Charlie Davies’ recovery from his car accident less than a year before the tournament ultimately ruled him out of contention.
Looking ahead to 2014, Aron Jóhannsson and Chris Wondolowski earned World Cup roster spots but struggled to make a lasting impact in the biggest matches against top-tier opponents, which limited their long-term roles with the national team.
Players like Jordan Morris, Jesús Ferreira, and Gyasi Zardes emerged and saw increased opportunities following the failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. It’s easy to imagine that at least some of that younger group could have factored into the roster had the U.S. made it to Russia.
Clint Dempsey (2004 – 2017)
141 Caps, 57 goals, 19 assists
Clint Dempsey delivered some of the most iconic striker moments in USMNT history, big goals, clutch performances, and a relentless ability to show up when it mattered most. While he wasn’t a traditional target striker, his movement, instincts, and technical ability made him one of the most dangerous attacking players the U.S. has ever had.
He scored against top-tier opponents like Spain and Brazil at the 2009 Confederations Cup, found the net against England at the 2010 World Cup to help secure a crucial draw, and famously opened the scoring just seconds into the 2014 World Cup. He also delivered in the 2016 Copa América, with key goals against Ecuador in the quarterfinal and Paraguay in the group stage.
Dempsey wasn’t just a scorer, he was a moment-maker. Whether it was a scrappy finish, a composed strike, or stepping up in the biggest matches, he consistently delivered when the U.S. needed him most.
Jozy Altidore (2007 – 2019)
115 Caps, 42 goals, 14 assists
Jozy Altidore had a unique USMNT career, less about highlight-reel volume and more about physical presence, hold-up play, and stepping up in key moments. At his best, he was the focal point of the attack and a difference-maker. Jozy’s work ethic seemed to impact later stages of his club and USMNT career and impacted him becoming the all-time leading scorer in USMNT history.
Bobby Wood (2013 – 2018)
43 Caps, 13 goals, 3 assists
If it weren’t for Jürgen Klinsmann’s support after Bobby Wood secured a new club in Germany, it’s unclear whether his international career would have continued. While his peak was relatively brief at both club and national level, Wood made his mark with clutch moments, most memorably scoring game-winning goals in back-to-back 2015 friendlies: a 4–3 comeback victory over the Netherlands and a 2–1 win against Germany.
The Next Generation: Assessing the Future of USMNT Strikers
The current USMNT striker pool remains very unsettled. At the moment, Ricardo Pepi is the only regular forward to reach double-digit goals, with 13. He’s followed by Folarin Balogun with eight and Haji Wright with seven. Other notable names in the mix include Josh Sargent and Patrick Agyemang, each of whom has contributed five goals at the international level. However, Agyemang suffered an Achilles injury and has been ruled out of the World Cup, a significant setback given his recent form. For the USMNT to be successful at the 2026 FIFA World Cup their strikers will be a key role and contributing to the teams’ goals scored.
From a club perspective at the time of the article, Balogun is in excellent form, and the hope is that continues through the 2026 FIFA World Cup. At this point, it feels clear that Balogun and Pepi have established themselves as the top two striker options. The bigger question, though, is who else will step up to provide the depth and quality needed to sustain the position in this cycle and beyond.
USMNT
Entry into US Men’s National Fandom
Thomas Deschaine (@uskeeper on X and us_keeper on Instagram)
Every soccer fan has a player or a moment or signature win that pulls them into the game and binds them to a team, no matter how high or low the journey becomes.
For me, that moment was tied to the U.S. Men’s National Team hosting the 1994 World Cup, along with my own recent introduction to the sport as the starting goalkeeper for my school team. Tony Meola, in particular, stood out as one of many important icons and trailblazers for the USMNT during that era.
I imagine there are countless young fans around the world who have already had, or will soon have, that defining moment over the last few years: discovering their first international team and the players they’ll root for and follow for years to come.
Before the 1990 World Cup cycle, those moments were rare for the USMNT. The United States hadn’t even reached the final round of CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying. Their closest opportunity came during the 1986 cycle, when all the U.S. needed was a draw at home against Costa Rica, a result they had achieved just five days earlier on the road in Costa Rica.
In the 1980s, the USMNT qualified for the Olympics three times, once automatically as the host nation in 1984 and twice through the qualifying tournament. It’s also worth noting that Mexico was disqualified during both the 1980 and 1988 qualifying cycles.
Despite qualifying, the U.S. withdrew from the 1980 Olympics in protest of the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. In the tournaments they did play (1984 and 1988), the USMNT struggled to make an impact, failing to advance out of the group stage and managing just one combined win across both competitions.
USMNT on the Rise (1988-1998)
This generation of trailblazers put the U.S. Men’s National Team back on the map—ending a 40-year World Cup drought, hosting the 1994 World Cup, and advancing further than the world expected.
1989 WCQ neutral side in Honduras vs El Salvador
A rare win away from home soil keeps US in hunt to qualify for 1990 World Cup.
1989 – Qualification at Trinidad & Tobago
The win in Port of Spain sends the US to its first World Cup since 1950.
1990 – Return to the World Cup (Italy)
Results were tough, but simply qualifying restarted the program on the world stage.
1991 – USA 2–0 Mexico (Gold Cup)
The USMNT’s first “Dos a Cero” win against Mexico to advance to the first Gold Cup Final.
1993 – USA 2-0 England (U.S. Cup)
The USMNT first win against England since the 1950 World Cup.
1994 – USA 2–1 Colombia (World Cup)
One of the biggest upsets in World Cup history; launched U.S. soccer into the mainstream.
1995 – USA 3-0 Argentina (Copa America)
The apex win for this generation of USMNT trailblazers.
1998 – USA 1-0 Brazil (Gold Cup)
The USMNT only win over Brazil to date.
Earning Respect from the World (1999-2010)
After a disappointing performance at the 1998 World Cup, the USMNT reset by hiring American coach Bruce Arena. That decision, combined with the emergence of impactful young players, helped restore credibility and earn growing respect on the global stage—culminating in a deep and memorable run at the 2002 World Cup.
1999 – 2-0 Win over Germany (Confederations Cup)
USMNT second win over Germany in 1999.
2001 – First “Dos a Cero” vs Mexico in Columbus (World Cup Qualifier)
A rivalry-defining moment and a psychological turning point.
2002 – USA 3–2 Portugal (World Cup)
The world took notice. One of the greatest performances in USMNT history.
2002 – USA 2–0 Mexico (World Cup Round of 16)
Dominance over rival Mexico on the biggest stage.
2002 – World Cup Quarterfinal run (loss 1–0 to Germany)
Even in a loss the USMNT deepest World Cup run got attention from most.
2005 – USA 2-0 Mexico in Columbus (World Cup Qualifier)
USMNT WCQ win over Mexico qualified them for the World Cup.
2007 – Gold Cup Final: USA 2–1 Mexico (Gold Cup)
A signature win in Chicago with a classic Donovan goal.
2009 – USA 2–0 Spain (Confederations Cup)
Ends Spain’s 35-match unbeaten streak in a historic semifinal upset.
2010 – Donovan vs Algeria (90+1’)
The most iconic goal in USMNT history; dramatic group-stage escape.
The Klinsmann Era (2011-2017)
When Jürgen Klinsmann was hired to replace Bob Bradley, he introduced a new mindset for the USMNT, challenging players to compete at higher levels with their clubs. The opponents he scheduled during his tenure reflected that philosophy, consistently pushing the team against stronger international competition.
2012 – USA 1-0 Italy (Friendly)
A key road win for the USMNT under Klinsmann.
2012 – USA 1-0 Mexico (Friendly)
The Americans first ever win at Azteca in Mexico.
2013 – USA 4-3 Germany (Centennial Match)
Celebrating their centennial match in style with a win.
2013 – USA 4-3 Bosnia-Herzegovina (Friendly)
A comeback road win against the 13th ranked Bosnia-Herzegovina.
2013 – USA 2-0 Mexico (World Cup Qualifier)
Nothing better than Dos a Cero that qualifies you for the World Cup.
2014 – USA 2–1 Ghana (World Cup)
Revenge at last, with a clutch John Brooks header helping to advance from Group of Death.
2015 – USA 4-3 Netherlands (Friendly)
A thrilling comeback victory on the road against the Netherlands.
2015 – USA 2-1 Germany (Friendly)
Days after beating the Netherlands, the USMNT topped Germany in a hard-fought match.
2016 – USA 2-1 Ecuador (Copa America)
A quarter-final win for the Americans who advance to the semi-finals of Copa America.
The Rise of a New Generation (2018-Current)
After the failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, the USMNT landscape began to shift. A greater emphasis was placed on integrating younger players into the national team, even as it became increasingly difficult for the U.S. to schedule friendlies against top-level opponents from Europe and South America.
2021 – USA 3-2 Mexico (Nations League)
This extra-time win sparked a period of dominance over Mexico.
2022 – USA 3-0 Morocco (Friendly)
A victory over the eventual fourth-place finisher at the 2022 World Cup.
2022 – USA 1-0 Iran (World Cup)
A first-half strike from Christian Pulisic propels the U.S. into the knockout stage.
2023 – USA 3-0 Mexico (Nations League)
A dominant semifinal win preceded Gregg Berhalter’s rehiring.
2024 -USA 2-0 Mexico (Nations League)
Another victory over El Tri, extending the unbeaten run to seven matches.
A Chance to Win will bring in New Believers Ahead of 2026
The USMNT has a prime opportunity to build momentum and attract new supporters ahead of the 2026 World Cup, with upcoming friendlies against European powers Belgium, Portugal, and Germany, along with AFCON champions Senegal. These high-profile matchups offer a rare spotlight and a chance to measure themselves against the world’s best.
A deep World Cup run, reaching the quarterfinals or beyond, would go a long way toward winning and retaining new fans. But to truly grow the fanbase, success must be consistent, with fewer lapses and a standard of performance that reinforces belief long after the tournament ends.
USMNT
Breaking the Mold: Freese a Unique USMNT Goalkeeper
Thomas Deschaine (@uskeeper on X and us_keeper on Instagram)
With only the March window left before Mauricio Pochettino finalizes the 2026 World Cup roster, one major question remains: who can truly be trusted to guard the net? It’s a debate still dividing media, fans, and observers alike.
The USMNT has produced some legendary goalkeepers over the past four decades, but the current pool has yet to see anyone truly seize the No. 1 spot. For a while, it looked like Matt Turner might start in back-to-back World Cups, but after a poor summer performance against Switzerland, he lost his place to Matt Freese. Freese went on to start the last thirteen matches, yet outside of his heroics in the 2025 Gold Cup penalty shootout, echoing Turner’s run in 2023, Freese hasn’t fully convinced me he should be the starter at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Since the 1990 cycle, five USMNT goalkeepers, Tony Meola, Kasey Keller, Brad Friedel, Tim Howard, and Matt Turner, have earned the World Cup starting role. Each of them logged minutes in the grueling World Cup qualifying process before taking the job. But Matt Freese could become the first USMNT goalkeeper to start a World Cup without ever playing a single qualifier.
Tony Meola – 1990 Italy World Cup
Creator: Bob Thomas | Credit: Getty Images
Tony Meola remains the youngest goalkeeper ever to start a World Cup for the USMNT. He went on to start in back-to-back tournaments and later served as the backup at the 2002 World Cup alongside Brad Friedel and Kasey Keller.
First Cap (Age) – June 7, 1998 (19 years, 3 month & 17 days)
World Cup 1990 (Age) – (21 years, 3 months, 10 days)
Overall Stats heading into the World Cup
Matches Played – 17
Matches Started – 15
Minutes Played – 1,395
Wins – 7
Shutouts – 6
World Cup Qualifying Stats
Matches Played – 4
Matches Started – 4
Minutes Played – 360
Wins – 2
Shutouts – 4
Kasey Keller – 1998 France World Cup
Kasey Keller, one of the backups to Tony Meola at the 1990 World Cup, was left off the 1994 roster but later reestablished himself in the USMNT picture. He went on to become the primary starter for the 1998 and 2006 World Cups and served as the backup on the 2002 team.
Creator: Ben Radford | Credit: Getty Images
First Cap (Age) – February 4, 1990 (20 years, 2 months & 6 days)
World Cup 1998 (Age) – (28 years, 6 months, 15 days)
Overall Stats heading into the World Cup
Matches Played – 34
Matches Started – 33
Minutes Played – 2,790
Wins – 18
Shutouts – 16
World Cup Qualifying Stats
Matches Played – 9
Matches Started – 9
Minutes Played – 810
Wins – 5
Shutouts – 6
Brad Friedel – 2002 Korea/Japan World Cup
Creator: Clive Brunskill | Credit: Getty Images
Brad Friedel, who started all five U.S. matches at the 2002 World Cup and made one start in 1998, earned a place on three USMNT World Cup squads during his career.
First Cap (Age) – September 3, 1992 (21 years, 3 months, 16 days)
World Cup 2002 (Age) – (31 years, 0 months, 5 days)
Overall Stats heading into the World Cup
Matches Played – 76
Matches Started – 74
Minutes Played – 6,453
Wins – 25
Shutouts – 23
World Cup Qualifying Stats
Matches Played – 13
Matches Started – 13
Minutes Played – 1,125
Wins – 7
Shutouts – 4
Tim Howard – 2010 South Africa
Creator: Ronald Wittek | Credit: Alamy
Tim Howard, the oldest first-time World Cup starter among this group, may also be the most accomplished. He appeared on three World Cup rosters, and likely would have made a fourth had the USMNT qualified in 2018.
First Cap (Age) – March 10, 2002 (23 years, 0 months, 4 days)
World Cup 2010 (Age) – (31 years, 3 months, 12 days)
Overall Stats heading into the World Cup
Matches Played – 51
Matches Started – 50
Minutes Played – 4,185
Wins – 31
Shutouts – 23
World Cup Qualifying Stats
Matches Played – 16
Matches Started – 16
Minutes Played – 1,440
Wins – 12
Shutouts – 8
Matt Turner – 2022 Qatar
Creator: Francisco Seco | Credit: AP
Turner seized his opportunity when an unwell Zack Steffen was forced off the roster to start the World Cup qualifying, stepping in to start the first of eight World Cup qualifiers. His performances solidified his place as the USMNT’s starting goalkeeper for the 2022 World Cup.
First Cap (Age) – January 31, 2021 (26 years, 9 months, 3 days)
World Cup 2022 (Age) – (28 years, 4 months, 21 days)
Overall Stats heading into the World Cup
Matches Played – 20
Matches Started – 20
Minutes Played – 1,800
Wins – 14
Shutouts – 14
World Cup Qualifying Stats
Matches Played – 8
Matches Started – 8
Minutes Played – 720
Wins – 4
Shutouts – 4
Matt Freese
Courtesy USMNT
Matt Freese would have the shortest runway of any USMNT goalkeeper, from earning his first cap to potentially starting at a World Cup. He would also become the first U.S. keeper to start at a World Cup without having played a single World Cup qualifier.
First Cap (Age) – June 5, 2025 (26 years, 9 months, 3 days)
World Cup 2026 (Age) – (27 years, 9 months, 12 days)
Overall Stats heading into the World Cup
Matches Played – 13
Matches Started – 13
Minutes Played – 1,170
Wins – 7*
Shutouts – 3*
World Cup Qualifying Stats
Matches Played – n/a
Matches Started – n/a
Minutes Played – n/a
Wins – n/a
Shutouts – n/a
It’s clear the USMNT doesn’t have a true front-runner in goal even though Mauricio Pochettino currently leans toward Matt Freese, but as we’ve seen, things can change fast. Matt Turner, Patrick Schulte, Chris Brady, Roman Celentano, and Jonathan Klinsmann will all need to push hard to earn their place on the final roster.
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