The United States of Soccer: From the iconic DaMarcus Beasley to USMNT stalwart Tim Ream - the best players from the Midwest

Hometown: Arlington Heights

Clubs played for: Wolfsburg, Columbus Crew, Preston North End, Everton, Fulham, Chicago Fire 

USMNT caps: 96

Why he's No.1: There's no shortage of talent from Illinois, which, conveniently, was long the headquarters for U.S. Soccer. Ultimately, it comes down to two, though: McBride and Steve Cherundolo. While the Mayor of Hanover makes this neck and neck due to his long career in the Bundesliga, it's McBride who edges it out. 

A legendary American striker who truly was a trailblazer in Europe, McBride is equally as loved at Fulham as Cherundolo is at Hannover. There's even a bar at Craven Cottage named "McBride's" in his honor. With 96 caps and 30 goals for the USMNT, McBride is a legend and one of MLS' founding fathers, serving as one of the league's top stars in the early days. 

Runners-up: 

2. Steve Cherundolo (Rockford): A USMNT legend in his own right, Dolo is unlucky not to be No. 1.

3. Brad Guzan (Evergreen Park): The USMNT has had some great goalkeepers, and Guzan is right up there with the best due to his Premier League and USMNT runs.

Hometown: Fort Wayne

Clubs played for: Chicago Fire, PSV, Manchester City, Rangers, Hannover, Puebla, Houston Dynamo

USMNT caps: 126

Why he's No. 1: No questions here, as Indiana is the home of an all-time great. Few players in American soccer history have a resume that can get within sniffing distance of Beasley, who is the only American man to play in four World Cups. From his time as a rising star in 2002 to his role as USMNT vet in 2014, Beasley never slowed down. It's what made him great.

On the club level, he was one of the first Americans to make an impact in the Champions League, making it all the way to the semifinals with PSV before falling to a legendary Milan team. Even his final career chapter was impressive, as he helped the Dynamo claim a U.S. Open Cup. No matter which area you search, Beasley has an accolade for it. He was just that good.

Runners-up:

2. Perry Kitchen (Indianapolis) - A longtime MLS veteran with a stint overseas, Kitchen provided stability wherever he went.

3. Ray Gaddis (Indianapolis) - Spent more than a decade in MLS, primarily with the Philadelphia Union, where he won a Supporters' Shield, before claiming that trophy again with FC Cincinnati.

Hometown: Grimes

USMNT caps: 0

Clubs played for: Des Moines Mennace, Charlotte Independence, Nybro FC, Lansing Ignite, Greenville Triumph

Why he's No. 1: While Iowa has produced a few players who have had cups of coffee in MLS, Fricke gets the nod because he has the hardware to back it up. In 2020, in his first season with Greenville Triumph, the veteran defender won USL League One Defender of the Year honors after leading the league in several defensive stats.

Originally drafted by the Colorado Rapids in 2015, Fricke never played in MLS, but he's certainly had his adventures, playing all over the U.S. and in Sweden with Nybro, where he had two separate stints.

Runners-up:

2. Kyle Zobeck (Coralville) - Often a backup at both the NASL and MLS level, Zobeck had a strong run with the New York Cosmos before getting his MLS shot with FC Dallas.

3. Matt Bobo (Des Moines) - A longtime player in the lower leagues, Bobo carved out a decade-long career all over the country.

Hometown: Overland Park

USMNT caps: 47

Clubs played for: Sporting KC, Austin FC

Why he's No. 1: Arguably the American player who made the biggest impact on his hometown team, Besler is Kansas soccer. The centerback spent more than a decade with Sporting KC, winning an MLS Cup, three U.S. Open Cups and earning five MLS All-Star nods. Notably, he was also the 2012 MLS Defender of the Year in a season that headlined a decade of stability as part of SKC's back line.

With the USMNT, he won two Gold Cups while featuring for the U.S. at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. After that World Cup, several European teams came calling, but Besler turned them down for Kansas City, furthering his commitment to his home.

Runners-up:

2. Jon Kempin (Leawood) - If there's a city, Kempin has likely played there as he carved out a 12-year career all over the country. 

3. Andy Gruenebaum (Overland Park) - A longtime MLS player, the goalkeeper got a real shot with the Crew in the final years of his career before finishing up with his hometown team.

Hometown: Detroit

USMNT caps: 164

Clubs played for: Coventry City, Vasco da Gama, LA Galaxy

Why he's No. 1: One obvious answer here would be Alexi Lalas, who was also born in Michigan and went on to establish himself as one of the faces of American soccer. Another USMNT legend was born in the state, though, and, while Jones is more associated with Southern California than anything, he qualifies here.

One of the finest midfielders American soccer has ever seen, Jones is the USMNT's all-time leader in caps with 164. He's also a bona fide icon in MLS, winning two MLS Cups across 12 seasons as the face of the LA Galaxy. So much of soccer in the '90s centered around Jones and, all these years later, there have been few better players to wear a USMNT shirt.

Runners-up:

2. Alexi Lalas (Birmingham) - American soccer's first true rockstar, Lalas' footprint is all over the game on and off the field.

3. Justin Meram (Shelby Township) - In addition to his extended MLS run, Meram also made his mark for Iraq's national team.

Hometown: Minneapolis

USMNT caps: 30

Clubs played for: New England Revolution

Why he's No. 1: A clear two-horse race between Twellman and Tony Sanneh, but Twellman gets the nod because of the MLS MVP award in his back pocket. There's no doubting that, at his peak, Twellman was an incredible player, although that peak was  shortened by concussion issues. Even so, Twellman won that 2005 MLS MVP, two Golden Boots and earned 30 U.S. caps to cement his status as a true legend of the American game.

Runners-up:

2. Tony Sanneh (St. Paul) - With 43 USMNT caps, Sanneh was a key member of the 2002 World Cup team as he helped up set up the crucial goal against Portugal.

3. Jackson Yueill (Bloomington) - The midfielder earned 16 caps, lifting two trophies with the USMNT, while establishing himself as a regular for the San Jose Earthquakes before heading to New England this past offseason.

Hometown: St. Louis

USMNT caps: 77

Clubs played for: New York Red Bulls, Bolton Wanderers, Fulham, Charlotte FC

Why he's No. 1: St. Louis has long been hailed as America's soccer city. None of its players have been better than Ream, who has aged like fine wine to ensure his legacy as one of the finest defenders in the American game. Few have played at a higher level than Ream, who was a legitimate starter in the Premier League that once drew praise from the legendary Pep Guardiola.

On the national team front, Ream's late-career second wind has been incredible to watch as the central defender became a key leader for the USMNT through both 2022 and beyond. With the 2026 World Cup on the horizon, Ream is still involved and could write a few more chapters.

Runners-up:

2. Josh Sargent (O'Fallon) - Another member of the 2022 World Cup squad, Sargent has proven himself to be a torrid goalscorer during his time in England.

3. Brad Davis (St. Charles) - As dangerous a left foot as American soccer has seen, Davis was an MLS Cup-winning star with the Dynamo while making it onto the 2014 World Cup squad.

Hometown: Omaha

Clubs played for: Dallas Burn, Real Salt Lake

USMNT caps: 14

Why he's No. 1: While some fans will know Kreis as an MLS Cup-winning manager, he was also a hell of a player who scored boatloads of goals in MLS. A three-time All-Star, Kreis' best season came in 1999 as he scored 18 goals to win MLS MVP. That ensured legendary status in both Dallas and Salt Lake City, with that solidified with his 2009 MLS Cup win as coach of the latter.

Runners-up:

2. Duncan McGuire (Omaha) - Still just getting started with Orlando City, McGuire begain his career with two consecutive double-digit goal seasons.

3. Brent Kallman (Omaha) - After carving out one heck of a career in Minnesota across multiple leagues, Kallman is still going with Union Omaha in USL League One.

Hometown: Cavalier

USMNT caps: 8

Clubs played for: AFC Bournemouth, Crewe Alexandria, Seattle Storm, Bonner SC, Tennis Borussia Berlin, Rot-Weis Oberhausen, Wuppertaler SV, SV Elversberg

Why he's No. 1: North Dakota is far from a soccer hotbed, but it is the home state of Goulet, who made his impact on the USMNT. In 1987, Goulet was a key figure for the U.S. Olympic team, scoring six goals in as many games to earn U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year. He went on to play at the 1988 Olympics on the heels of that run. Goulet also earned 12 caps for the U.S. Futsal team, which won bronze in the 1989 World Championships to become the first U.S. team to medal in an official FIFA competition.

Runners-up:

2. Sean Totsch (Fargo) -  Having spent nearly a decade with Louisville City, Totsch is a three-time USL Cup winner and a five-time All League selection.

3. Jeff Solem (Fargo) - An old-school NASL star, Solem played for the Atlanta Apollos, Denver Dynamos and Minnesota Kicks.

Hometown: Lakewood

USMNT caps: 82

Clubs played for: Galatasaray, Columbus Crew, Liverpool, Blackburn Rovers, Aston Villa, Tottenham

Why he's No. 1: A member of the USMNT's lmighty goalkeeper fraternity, and there's a real argument to be made that he's the best. Friedel certainly reached incredible heights during his 20-year career, but none more impressive than his Premier League record for consecutive appearances at 310. There's an American with a legitimate Premier League record - how cool is that?

There's also his 82 USMNT caps and three World Cups, too. Overall, few were as good as Friedel, and none were as good for as long as the legendary shot-stopper.

Runners-up:

2. Wil Trapp (Columbus) - A true homegrown star for the Crew before heading to Inter Miami and Minnesota United.

3. Justin Morrow (Cleveland) - There's no denying his status in Toronto, where he won an MLS Cup and a Supporters' Shield to play his way into the USMNT.

Hometown: Pierre

USMNT caps: 0

Clubs played for: Tampa Bay Mutiny, Connecticut Wolves, Western Mass Pioneers

Why he's No. 1: A second-round pick in the 1998 MLS Draft, Houser quickly became a key player for the Mutiny, tying for the league lead in blocks during his rookie season. Unfortunately, that was as good as it got for Houser, who was sidelined with medical issues in 1999 before returning to play just a few matches in 2000. In 2001, his MLS career ended. He went on to play for the Connecticut Wolves and Western Mass Pioneers before retiring in 2002.

Runners-up:

2. Ryan Walker (Rapid City) - The forward scored goals across the lower leagues, notably 14 in 17 games with the Wilmington Hammerheads in 1999.

3. Tyler Limmer (Brandon) - The all-time leading scorer of the Sioux Falls Thunder with 12 goals.

Hometown: Green Bay

USMNT caps: 25

Clubs played for: Watford, Vancouver Whitecaps

One of the key players on some of the best USMNT teams of all time, DeMerit is a player with accolades on both sides of the pond. In Europe, he was a mainstay for Watford for six seasons. In Canada, he was the first face of the Vancouver Whitecaps in MLS. All the while, he earned 25 U.S. caps, a misleadingly low number considering how key they were. He was in the squad at the 2007 Copa America, 2009 Confederations Cup and 2010 World Cup, helping define a USMNT era from his place in defense.

Runners-up:

2. Jesse Marsch (Racine) - Known more as a coach, the Canada boss was a fierce presence throughout his run in MLS.

3. Esmir Bajrakterovic (Appleton) - Still a long way to go, but the Bosnia and Herzegovina international is making waves at PSV.