United States Team Of The Decade 2000-2010

Back in 1994 when the U.S. hosted the World Cup the country was still thought of as a bit of a joke in terms of the world’s most popular sport. That summer great strides were made in growing the spot in the U.S.

Now, a decade and a half later, the country is coming off one of the most impressive runs in its history.

Results as always for the Red White and Blue have been up and down, but the peaks have been higher than ever, while the valleys grow more and more shallow with each passing year. A team that once would’ve made news just by making the World Cup is now disappointed to not climb out of its group.

While the U.S. National Team is still in search of its first major trophy, in the last decade it has climbed on level pegging, if not surpassed, every other team in the CONCACAF region while also managing to pull off a few surprising results on the world stage.

Goal.com USA’s Noah Davis and Allen Ramsey take a look at the U.S.’s best XI over a decade that could be considered the most successful in the country’s history.

Formation: 3-5-2

Goalkeeper

Brad Friedel- (1992-2005)

The Aston Villa netminder sits behind Kasey Keller in terms of all-time appearance (82 vs. 102), wins (27 vs. 53), and shutouts (24 vs. 47), but gets the nod over the Seattle Sounders keeper for play on international football's biggest stage. While Keller presided over the ill-fated 1998 and 2006 World Cup  -- although he did earn man of the match honors for his performance during the 1-1 draw against Italy -- Friedel's astonishing performances in the run to the 2002 quarterfinals played a huge role in helping the U.S. achieve its best finish in over 50 years.  

Defense

Tony Sanneh- (1997-2005)

The right fullback had less than 50 caps for the Americans -- 43 to be exact -- but his pivotal role in the 2002 World Cup puts him over the top at the (admittedly weak) position. Sanneh was a rock in the back, playing every minute of the tournament, and even getting into the offense with an assist on Brian McBride's tally in the upset of Portugal. "Big Cat" never reached such lofty heights again, but those five matches were enough to cement his legacy as one of the best American defenders of the decade.  

Oguchi Onyewu- (2004-)

Known to most people simply as Gooch, Onyewu has earned the right to be considered one of the U.S.’s best XI with his strong performances in all competitions for the national side. A super imposing figure in the middle of the U.S. back four since 2004, Onyewu has grown as a player with each passing year. Though he was not part of the U.S.’s World Cup quarterfinal run in 2002, the big defender has been part of two Gold Cup winning sides, was a major reason for the U.S.’s first place finish in qualifying for the 2006 World Cup, and a staple in the back during the team’s run to the 2009 Confederation Cup final.

Eddie Pope- (1996-2006)

Pope was one of the strongest defensive players the U.S. ever fielded. His 82 caps included the 1998, 2002, and 2006 World Cups where he played a prominent role in the U.S. backline. His red card in the second game of the 2006 World Cup against Italy was a disappointing end to one of the great careers in U.S. soccer history, but Pope will always be remembered as one of the men who helped put the U.S. National Team, and Major League Soccer, on the map.

Midfielders

Clint Dempsey- (2004-)

The Fulham midfielder's blast against Ghana in the 2006 World Cup was one of the only highlights for the Stars and Stripes during their trip to Germany. Since that time, Dempsey has been one first names on Bob Bradley's team sheet. That place was cemented during the second half of the Confederations Cup, when Dempsey's production exploded. Don't forget, the decade doesn't end until December. Could there be some magic from Clint coming up? Say August 12 around 5 p.m. Eastern? 

Claudio Reyna- (1994-2006)

Considered by many as the top midfielder the U.S. has ever produced, Reyna has been given honors throughout his legendary career as an American star. Beginning in ’94, Reyna was capped 112 times, played in three World Cups (he missed the ’94 World Cup through injury) and became one of the most consistent players in CONCACAF. As a deep lying midfielder, Reyna brought a level of calm and poise the U.S. had never had in the center of the pitch and has sorely missed since. Much like Pope, Reyna’s legacy may have been mired by the lasting memory of 2006, where he gave away a ball that led to Ghana’s opening goal in the final group stage match. Still, Reyna is one of the all-time greats of U.S. soccer and as responsible for the growth of the national team as any singular player.

Pablo Mastroeni- (2001-)

Thrust into a starting role in the 2002 World Cup opener against mighty Portugal, Mastroeni began to grow his legacy as the type of hard nosed player the U.S. routinely relies on in the middle of the pitch. As a member of both the 2002 and 2006 World Cup squads, Mastro, as he is known in the U.S., proved to be a competent player who’s work rate and grit kept him entrenched in the starting XI, but who’s rash challenges could be a liability. The midfielder was a mainstay on all three Gold Cup winning sides for the U.S. during the last decade and played a vital role in qualification for the 2006 World Cup.

DaMarcus Beasley- ( 2001-)

Beasley burst onto the scene just prior to the 2002 World Cup and has been a steady member of the squad ever since. As a young player Beasley’s electric pace took the 2002 World Cup by storm as his runs down the left flank troubled every defense he ran up against. In 2006 the winger assisted on the U.S.’s only goal in Germany, slotting a ball across the frame of goal after dispossessing a Ghanaian defender. In recent times, injuries have plagued Beasley and his form has dipped to the point where he was sent to the bench during the 2009 Confederations Cup, but at only 27-years-old the story of DaMarcus Beasley may not be finished just yet.

Earnie Stewart- (1990-2004)

Though Stewart’s time with the U.S. National team ended in 2004, the midfielder’s contributions in the early part of the decade can’t be taken for granted. In 101 caps Stewart netted 17 times and helped spark the U.S.’s attacks with his pace and class on the ball. The U.S.’s all-time leader in European league goals, Stewart’s contributions to the game in the U.S. went much further than what he did for the Red White and Blue as he became one of the most successful professionals the U.S. has ever produced.

Forwards

Brian McBride- (1993-2006)

What more can you say about this man? He retired from international competition three years ago, yet U.S. fans continue to clamor for his return. McBride won't ever get to 100 caps -- currently he sits on 96 -- but as the only American score in more than one World Cup, his place in U.S. soccer lore won't change. Third on the all-time points list behind Landon Donovan and Eric Wynalda, the Chicago Fire striker leaves behind a treasure trove of brilliant head goals (and a training regimen to which young Americans should aspire).  

Landon Donovan- (2000-)

Don't forget, the lightning rod that is Landon Donovan was just 19 when the millennium kicked off. He's been the face of U.S. soccer for the entire decade -- taking the good with the bad, the victories with the defeats -- and, all things considered, has handled it remarkably well. During the past year or so, Donovan seems to have come to the realization that how he'll be viewed by future generations hangs in the balance of what he does during the next few years. As the decade closes, America's best field player continues to mature into his own (those David Beckham comments aside).

Friedel

Sanneh   -   Onjewu   -   Pope

Dempsey   -   Reyna   -   Mastroeni   -   Beasley   -   Stewart

McBride   -   Donovan 

Noah Davis and Allen Ramsey, Goal.com

For more on the U.S. National Team visit Goal.com's U.S. National Team page.