From Alexi Lalas to Claudio Reyna: ChatGPT selects the USMNT's all-time best XI - and there's no room for Christian Pulisic

GOAL asked the AI to choose the best United States men's national team XI of all-time - from Tim Howard to Clint Dempsey, here's the results!

Who makes your all-time best XI for the USMNT? That's the exact question GOAL asked ChatGPT, the artificial intelligence chatbot that's been making headlines ever since its release in November 2022. Put to the test, then, would the AI produce a competitive US team or would there be plenty of head scratching?

Let's start with the query we put to ChatGPT. We asked, to begin with: "Which eleven players would ChatGPT select for the best all-time men's United States national team for soccer?" We also asked the AI to select the manager that would take charge of the best XI, and requested an explanation as to why Jozy Altidore and Christian Pulisic were both left out of the team.

Check out the full ChatGPT XI below and let us know what you think in the comments section!

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Tim Howard - Goalkeeper
USMNT career: 2002-2017
Total USMNT caps: 121
ChatGPT told us: "Considered by many to be the best goalkeeper in USMNT history, Howard had a standout career in both the domestic and international game. He made a record-breaking 15 saves in the 2014 World Cup Round of 16 match against Belgium."

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Marcelo Balboa - Right-back
USMNT career: 1988-2000
Total USMNT caps: 127
Total USMNT goals:13
ChatGPT told us: "A three-time World Cup participant and one of the most decorated USMNT defenders in history, Balboa was known for his strong tackling and ability to read the game."
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Alexi Lalas - Center-back
USMNT career: 1991-1998
Total USMNT caps: 96
Total USMNT goals:10
ChatGPT told us: "A charismatic and imposing center-back, Lalas played a key role in the USMNT's success during the 1990s. He also had a successful club career in the United States and Italy."

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Carlos Bocanegra - Center-back
USMNT career: 2001-2012
Total USMNT caps: 110
Total USMNT goals:14
ChatGPT told us: "A former captain of the USMNT, Bocanegra was a reliable and consistent defender who played in three World Cups."
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DaMarcus Beasley - Left-back
USMNT career: 2001-2017
Total USMNT caps: 126
Total USMNT goals:17
ChatGPT told us: "One of the most versatile players in USMNT history, Beasley played in four World Cups and was a key member of the team that reached the quarter-finals in 2002."
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Claudio Reyna - Midfield
USMNT career: 1994-2006
Total USMNT caps: 112
Total USMNT goals:8
ChatGPT told us: "Widely regarded as one of the greatest American soccer players of all time, Reyna was a skillful and intelligent midfielder who played in three World Cups."
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Landon Donovan - Midfield
USMNT career: 2000-2014
Total USMNT caps: 157
Total USMNT goals:57
ChatGPT told us: "The USMNT's all-time leading scorer, Donovan was a dynamic and versatile attacker who played in three World Cups."
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Michael Bradley - Midfield
USMNT career: 2006-2019
Total USMNT caps: 151
Total USMNT goals:17
ChatGPT told us: "A technically gifted and hard-working midfielder, Bradley has been a stalwart of the USMNT for over a decade, earning over 150 caps."
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Clint Dempsey - Forward
USMNT career: 2004-2017
Total USMNT caps: 141
Total USMNT goals: 57
ChatGPT told us: "A clinical finisher and creative attacker, Dempsey scored 57 goals in 141 appearances for the USMNT and played in three World Cups."
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Brian McBride - Forward
USMNT career: 1993-2006
Total USMNT caps: 95
Total USMNT goals: 30
ChatGPT told us: "A powerful and intelligent striker, McBride scored 30 goals in 95 appearances for the USMNT and played in three World Cups."
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Tab Ramos - Forward
USMNT career: 1988-2000
Total USMNT caps: 81
Total USMNT goals: 8
ChatGPT told us: "One of the most skillful and creative players in USMNT history, Ramos played in three World Cups and helped pave the way for future generations of American soccer players."
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Bruce Arena - Manager
We also asked the AI to tell us who would manage the USMNT all-time XI, with Bruce Arena selected.
ChatGPT told us: "For the manager position of the all-time men's United States national team XI, there are several candidates who could be considered. One of the most successful and influential coaches in USMNT history is Bruce Arena. He has a record of coaching the team in two World Cup campaigns, in 2002 and 2006, and led the team to its best-ever finish in the tournament, reaching the quarterfinals in 2002. He also coached the team to three CONCACAF Gold Cup championships.
"Other notable managers who have led the USMNT to success include Bob Bradley, who led the team to the 2009 Confederations Cup final and won the 2007 Gold Cup, and Jurgen Klinsmann, who coached the team in the 2014 World Cup and helped develop a more attacking style of play.
"Ultimately, the selection of the manager can depend on personal preferences and individual perspectives. However, based on their success and impact on the USMNT, Bruce Arena would be a strong candidate for the manager position of the all-time men's United States national team XI."
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ChatGPT's USMNT all-time XI in full
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What about Jozy Altidore or Christian Pulisic?
We also asked the AI to explain why it had omitted USMNT captain Christian Pulisic, and also former striker Jozy Altidore, who scored a total of 42 goals for the national team.
ChatGPT told us: "I apologize if my previous response was unclear. As an AI language model, I do not have personal preferences or biases, and my selections are based purely on statistical data and historical achievements.
"That being said, Jozy Altidore and Christian Pulisic are both very talented players and have made significant contributions to the USMNT. Jozy Altidore is one of the top goalscorers in USMNT history and has been a consistent presence on the team for many years. Christian Pulisic, on the other hand, is considered one of the best American soccer players of all time and has achieved a lot at a young age, including becoming the youngest-ever captain of the USMNT.
"In my previous response, I provided an all-time USMNT XI based on a combination of historical achievements and statistical data. The final selection can depend on individual preferences and perspectives, and there are certainly many other players who could be considered for inclusion. Jozy Altidore and Christian Pulisic are both excellent players and could certainly be included in other people's all-time USMNT XI selections."