The United States of Soccer: From USMNT legend Landon Donovan to rising star Obed Vargas - the best players from the West

Hometown: Anchorage

Clubs played for: Seattle Sounders

USMNT caps: 0

Why he’s No. 1: In a few years time, we may look back at Vargas as one that got away from the USMNT. The Seattle Sounders homegrown already has experience facing the world's best after emerging as a rising star in the 2022 CONCACAF Champions League. That helped the Sounders book a spot in the Club World Cup, in which Vargas faced off against Botafogo, Atletico Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain. Seattle gave all three a game despite defeats.

His international future, though, was always up for debate until October 2024 when he made it official, completing a one-time switch to Mexico after previously featuring for the USMNT at the youth level. He earned his first cap, coincidentally, against the USMNT weeks later and has built on that this summer by helping the Sounders win the Leagues Cup while earning a spot as an MLS All-Star.

Runners-up:

2. Ely Allen (Anchorage): A former U.S. youth international, Allen once scored on an assist from David Beckham during his year-long stint with the LA Galaxy.

3. Hunter Solte (Anchorage): Like Vargas, he left Alaska for the Pacific Northwest, signing a homegrown deal with the Portland Timbers. He made a few appearances in MLS, but is now on loan with Indy Eleven.

Hometown: Phoenix

Clubs played for: Columbus Crew, Seattle Sounders

USMNT caps: 27

Why he’s No. 1: A shoutout for Pablo Mastroeni, who was born in Argentina but raised in Arizona. Of those born within state borders, though, Evans is the guy. A standout MLS defender over his career, Evans won MLS Cups and Supporters' Shields in Columbus and Seattle, playing integral roles for each of his title-winning teams.

He finished his career with eight club trophies, six of which came during his time with the Sounders. Internationally, he never quite got to a World Cup, but he was a regular figure for much of his career, featuring at two Gold Cups while also scoring one USMNT goal - a game-winner against Jamaica in 2014 World Cup qualification.

Runners-up: 

2. Robbie Findley (Phoenix): A 2010 World Cup veteran, four of Findley's 11 career caps came that summer in South Africa, where he served as the starting No. 9.

3. Luis Robles (Fort Huachuca): An icon with the New York Red Bulls, Robles holds the MLS record for most consecutive MLS starts with 183.

Hometown: Ontario

Clubs played for: Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern Munich, San Jose Earthquakes, LA Galaxy, Everton, Leon

USMNT caps: 157

Why he’s No. 1: Arguably the toughest state to rank, but, in the end, there is a clear winner. Many consider Donovan to be the best player to ever represent the USMNT, and there's no better representative of California. There's a reason MLS named their MVP award after him, after all.

A six-time MLS Cup champion and 13-time MLS All-Star, Donovan's club achievements are significant. So, too, are his international achievements. From his 1999 U17 World Cup breakthrough to his 2014 retirement, Donovan was the face of American soccer through some of its best moments.

The 2002 World Cup run was legendary. The goal against Algeria was arguably the biggest in American soccer history.  No USMNT player has more goals and no U.S. player has as many World Cup goals. Donovan is a legend that comes from a state that has produced plenty.

Runners-up:

2. Carlos Bocanegra (Upland): The USMNT's Captain America, Bocanegra featured 110 times on the international stage while shining in MLS and abroad.

3. Eric Wynalda (Fullerton): A true trailblazer, was one of the first Americans to transcend the game leading up to and after the 1994 World Cup, and then helping build MLS in the league's early years.

Hometown: Denver

Clubs played for: New York Cosmos, St. Louis Steamers, New York Express, Tacoma Stars, Seattle Storm

USMNT caps: 35

Why he’s No. 1: Davis isn't a name familiar to the last few generations of USMNT fans but, for portions of the 1980s, he was the best of the bunch representing American soccer.  On the club level, he's widely considered among the best Americans to suit up in the NASL, where he won three titles with the New York Cosmos.

With that success, he went on to captain the USMNT, appearing at two Olympics. A knee injury prevented him from heading to the 1990 World Cup but, but Davis was elected to the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2001.

Runners-up: 

2. Ethan Horvath (Highlands Ranch): Has never quite been "the guy" in goal for the USMNT, but he's been in and around the USMNT picture for nearly a decade while featuring for solid clubs in Europe.

3. Todd Dunnivant (Wheat Ridge): One of MLS' all-time great winners, the defender lifted five MLS Cups in just 13 seasons, winning the big trophy in both Los Angeles and San Jose.

Hometown: Honolulu

Clubs played for: 1860 Munich, Union Berlin, Hamburg, Hannover, Real Salt Lake, New England Revolution

USMNT caps: 45

Why he’s No. 1: A striker with a flair for big games, Wood's first three USMNT goals came against the Netherlands, Germany and Mexico. He went on to score 10 more across a six-year USMNT career, notably netting four times during 2018 World Cup qualifying. The failures that cycle, ultimately, prevented him from playing in a World Cup.

On the club level, he played all over Germany, largely thriving at the 2. Bundesliga level, before ending his career with two stops back in MLS.

Runners-up:

2. Brian Ching (Hale'iwa): There's a real argument to be No. 1 from the state. A legend in Houston that retired as the Dynamo's all-time leading scorer, Ching was also a member of the 2006 World Cup squad

3. Zach Scott (Haiku-Pauwela): Another true club legend, Scott signed with the Seattle Sounders in the USL in 2002 and was a key player for them right on through their 2016 MLS Cup win.

Hometown: Sun Valley

Clubs played for: San Diego Flash, San Jose Earthquakes, Colorado Rapids, LA Galaxy, Vancouver Whitecaps

USMNT caps: 2

Why he’s No. 1: A two-time MLS Goalkeeper of the Year, Cannon made his mark all over the league, starting for four different teams across his professional career. His biggest success came early, as he helped lead the Earthquakes to an MLS Cup win in 2001 before claiming his first Goalkeeper of the Year trophy the next year. 

Despite only earning two caps for the USMNT, he was a member of the 2003 Confederations Cup team, where he backed up Tim Howard.

Runners-up: 

2. Logan Emery (Boise): A 2012 Canadian Championship winner with Toronto FC, Emory also carved out a crucial role with the Puerto Rico Islanders across two different leagues.

3. Blake Bodily (Eagle): A Homegrown signing for the Portland Timber. Bodily was part of the MLS is Back tournament-winning team before joining San Diego Loyal in 2023. Now a regular with the Tampa Bay Rowdies.

Hometown: Missoula

Clubs played for: Chicago Fire, Portland Timbers

USMNT caps: 0

Why he’s No. 1: Born in Montana, Lowry was primarily raised in California, going on to play for the Santa Clara Broncos in college. In 2008, he was selected by the Chicago Fire in the MLS Draft, but departed two years later when the Portland Timbers chose him in their expansion draft. He spent just one season in Portland before going into coaching and has now hit the 10-year mark in charge of the Lipscomb Bisons.

Runners-up: 

2. Zac Lubin (Bozeman): In between two stints in Sweden, Lubin featured for the Tulsa Roughnecks, Swope Park Rangers and Phoenix Rising across his professional career.

3. Eddy Prugh (Bozeman): Served as captain for Swedish club Bodens FC during a two-year stint abroad.

Hometown: Las Vegas

Clubs played for: Los Angeles FC, Vancouver Whitecaps 

USMNT caps: 2

Why he’s No. 1: The second overall pick in the 2018 MLS Draft, Blackmon has had a winding road, eventually growing into one of the best defenders in MLS. He was a semi-steady presence for LAFC during his four seasons in Southern California, but his 2022 move to Vancouver helped him evolve into a whole new player. An MLS All-Star this summer, Blackmon earned his first two USMNT caps in the fall amid what could only be described as a breakout 2025 season for the 28-year-old defender.

Runners-up:

2. Bryan Namoff (Carson City): Ever-present for D.C. United for the better part of a decade, Namoff won an MLS Cup, two Supporters' Shields and a U.S. Open Cup.

3. Danny Musovski (Henderson): A consistent attacking option for multiple MLS clubs, Musovski has emerged as a key player for the Sounders this season, scoring 14 of his 31 career goals in 2025.

Hometown: Las Cruces

Clubs played for: Santos Laguna, Club America, Tigres, San Luis, Pueblo, Tijuana, Atlas, Monterrey, Colorado Rapids, New England Revolution, Atlanta United, FC Cincinnati

USMNT caps: 18

Why he’s No. 1: One of just five players to earn at least one senior cap for the USMNT and Mexico, Castillo spent the best years of his club career in Mexico, spending time with virtually all of Liga MX's heavy-hitters. He won two league titles and a cup in Mexico before spending the last three years of his career in MLS.

A talented left-back, Castillo began his international career with Mexico before officially joining the USMNT setup in 2009, earning 18 caps while making a Gold Cup and Copa America squad.

Runners-up: 

2. Aaron Herrera (Las Cruces): Earned one USMNT cap before switching to Guatemala. Has earned 21 caps since 2023, including multiple during their Gold Cup semifinal run this summer.

3. Luis Barraza (Las Cruces): He took the long road to MLS, eventually earning a starting role with NYCFC in 2023 after winning two trophies as a backup. Now with D.C. United.

Hometown: Eugene

Clubs played for: Chicago Fire

USMNT caps: 15

Why he’s No. 1: A true legend in Chicago, Brown was a centerpiece of the Fire's hey-day, winning an MLS Cup, a Supporters' Shield and four U.S. Open Cups during his 13-year professional career. He's still the club's all-time leader in appearances, starts and minutes and remains third all-time for most appearances for a single MLS team.

In addition, Brown earned 15 caps for the USMNT, featuring at two tournaments, before embarking on an extended coaching career that has seen him serve as an assistant at five MLS clubs and with the U.S. U23s.

Runners-up:

2.Rubio Rubin (Beaverton): After earning seven caps with the USMNT, Rubin has become a mainstay for Guatemala, scoring 13 times in 37 appearances.

3. Marco Farfan (Gresham): A Timbers academy product, Farfan was an MLS mainstay for years before joining Tigres this summer.

Hometown: Eden

Clubs played for: Bayern Munich, Utrecht, Twente

USMNT caps: 2

Why he’s No. 1: The only player from Utah to earn a USMNT cap, Booth appeared twice for the USMNT in 2023, making his debut in the CONCACAF Nations League. That came after the midfielder/winger worked his way right on up through the youth teams while also featuring for the U23s at the Paris Olympics.

After beginning his career with Real Salt Lake, Booth headed to Bayern Munich, where he made one appearance as a substitute. He then moved to the Eredivisie with FC Utrecht and, now, FC Twente, where he signed in February.

Runners-up:

2. Justin Braun (Salt Lake City): An MLS veteran who featured for four different teams, Braun is best remembered for his stint at Chivas USA.

3. Zavier Gozo (West Valley City): It may be a bit early to put the teenager here, but he's emerging as a star for Real Salt Lake and for the U.S. U20s.

Hometown: Olympia

Clubs played for: Millwall, Leicester City, Rayo Vayecano, Tottenham, Southampton, Borussia Monchengladbach, Fulham, Seattle Sounders

USMNT caps: 102

Why he’s No. 1: There are plenty of USMNT goalkeepers among the country's great soccer players. Keller has his own argument to claim that he's the best of them. A four-time World Cup participant, Keller was a mainstay with the USMNT for nearly two decades, having also shined in an American jersey at the U20 World Cup and the Olympics.

On the club level, he played in the top levels of Europe, featuring in the Premier League, La Liga and the Bundesliga before coming back home to kickstart the Seattle Sounders. In the end, Keller finished as a three-time U.S. Soccer Male Athlete of the Year. Only two players, Landon Donovan and Christian Pulisic, have won that award more.

Runners-up: 

2. Weston McKennie (Fort Lewis): More Texas than anything, for sure, but the Washington-born midfielder has helped take the sport to new heights by shining at Juventus.

3. DeAndre Yedlin (Seattle): Burst onto the scene as a lightning-fast Sounders homegrown that electrified at the 2014 World Cup. Eight years later, he was a key vet for the 2022 World Cup run.

Hometown: Sheridan

Clubs played for: Columbus Crew, D.C. United, Puerto Rico Islanders

USMNT caps: 0

Why he’s No. 1: Born in Wyoming, raised in Texas and developed at the University of Maryland,  Mediate was selected by the Columbus Crew in the 2005 MLS Draft, but was traded to D.C. United the next year. Injuries slowed his progress but he was a member of D.C.'s 2007 Supporters-Shield winning group. He finished his career in 2009 with the Puerto Rico Islanders.

Runners-up:

2. Nichi Vlastos (Casper): Spent a few seasons with Saint Louis FC before the city really transitioned to MLS.

3. Trey Harrington (Cheyenne): A three-time Wyoming player of the year, he earned a call-up to the U.S. U23s in 1992.