The United States of Soccer: From USMNT icon Clint Dempsey to current star Christian Pulisic - the best players from each region

Hometown: Hershey, Pennsylvania

Clubs played for: Dortmund, Chelsea, AC Milan

USMNT caps: 80

Why he's No. 1: The East is arguably America's premier soccer region when it comes to producing talent. From legendary players such as Tim Howard and Jozy Altidore to Bruce Arena, a Hall of Fame manager, the region is stacked. What sets Pulisic apart is his unprecedented club success in Europe. 

He is the face of AC Milan, traditionally one of Europe's top six clubs, and he's the only player U.S. player to win the Champions League. While his USMNT legacy might not be as strong as some of the legends, his talent is undeniable. As analyst and former USMNT star Stu Holden once said, success seems inevitable for the 27-year-old. 

"I think he'll go down as the best U.S. Soccer player by the time he's done, and he might be already in terms of what he's achieved on the club level," Holden told GOAL. "Talent alone, he will be the best U.S. Soccer player of all-time." 

Hometown: Arlington Heights, Illinois

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

USMNT caps: 96

Why he's No. 1: The race for best player in the Midwest involves three players: Brian McBride, Tim Ream, and Cobi Jones. While Jones is widely considered to be a top-five all-time USMNT player, Ream has also had long-term success, largely in England's second division, and a late career breakout.

But ultimately, it's McBride, who is neck and neck with Altidore as the best striker in national team history. 

McBride was a revolutionary talent for the USMNT, playing in three World Cups and becoming the first American to score in two tournaments. On the club level, it's hard to imagine Pulisic or Clint Dempsey being entrusted to be the faces of European clubs without McBride blazing the trail.

He is the first American with back-to-back double-digit scoring seasons, accomplishing that in the 2005-06 and 2006-07 campaigns for Fulham. The striker's work rate and role in keeping Fulham in England's top flight during his five seasons for the club elevated him to iconic status - he even had a bar named after him at Craven Cottage.

Hometown: Nacogdoches, Texas

Clubs played for: New England Revolution, Fulham, Tottenham 

USMNT caps: 141

Why he's No. 1: Clint Dempsey's path to success wasn't always easy. He grew up in a small town, 140 miles from Houston. Dempsey famously mentioned if it wasn't for his parents driving hours at time to attend camps and practices, he wouldn't have been a professional player. Thankfully for U.S. fans, they did. 

Dempsey wasn't fleet of foot, didn't have a locked-in position, and wasn't necessarily prolific at any particular skill, but as Arena famously once said "He tries sh*t." The Texan was gritty, relentless, and persistently had a chip on his shoulder that helped him to defy the odds. 

He once famously used criticism from then-manager Roy Hodgson as motivation to help Fulham - traditionally one of European soccer's smallest clubs - stun Italian powerhouse Juventus in the Europa League with arguably the best goal scored by an American on the continent.

The goal, a lobbed chip, had no business going in. But it did. In many ways, that moment was symbolic of Dempsey's career. He also had incredible success on the national team, winning three Gold Cups. He is on the short list of America's greatest soccer players. 

Hometown: Ontario, California

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

USMNT caps: 157

Why he's No. 1: Dempsey has a case. So does Pulisic. But in the end, Donovan is the best player in American soccer history, due to his consistent success on the national team level, paired with his dominance in MLS. At the peak of his powers, Donovan was the face of U.S. Soccer, a box office draw that put fans in seats.

He is tied with Dempsey for all-time national goals with 57 and holds the record for assists with 58 - the next closest is Michael Bradley with 22. Donovan had a way of delivering in key moments for the U.S., from the Go Go USA goal against Algeria to a being a consistent thorn in Mexico's side over nearly two decades. 

Yes, there's an argument that he should have tested himself more on the global stage, instead choosing to stay in MLS while others continually played in Europe. And he frustrated some with his decision to retire from international soccer, and then try to play in the 2014 World Cup.

But ultimately, he is the closest thing the U.S. had to a world-class outfield player - with Pulisic still in contention to take that title. 

STATE RANKINGS: Northeast | South | Midwest | West

THE RUNNERS-UP XI

While none of the players below were ranked No. 1 by GOAL in their respective states, each had an impactful career. 

Striker: Jozy Altidore (Livingston, New Jersey)

Who is the best striker in U.S. history? McBride or Altidore? Looking solely at numbers, Altidore has a strong case. He ranks third all-time in USMNT scoring behind Dempsey and Donovan with 42 goals. The only case against the New Jersey native is the lack of consistent success in a top European league. Altidore was prolific in Eredivisie but didn't find the same level of success in England or Spain. 

Attacking Midfielder: Claudio Reyna (Livingston, New Jersey)

Reyna might have gone down as America's third-best player if injuries hadn't consistently impacted his playing career. That's how good he was. Reyna was an incredible playmaker and arguably the best No. 10 born in the U.S. He had a way of seeing plays three steps ahead of defenders and was unpredictable - in a good way - in the ways he'd attack. He also made four World Cup rosters, missing his first due to injury and playing in the three others. 

Attacking Midfielder: Yunus Musah (New York, New York)

Musah frustrates fans and former USMNT stars alike, but that's only because the 22-year-old still hasn't capitalized on his vast potential. The former Arsenal academy product has a skillset that few in U.S. soccer history can replicate, with the ability to dribble past defenders and also track back and play as a defensive midfielder. His main issue is maddening inconsistency, but if he ever puts it all together, he can be an all-world player. 

Defensive Midfielder: Tyler Adams (Wappingers Falls, New York)

The youngest player to captain the U.S. at a World Cup at just 22, there is no questioning Adams' leadership. When healthy, he's among the top 25 defensive midfielders in the world. The key is being consistently fit. 

Defensive Midfielder: Michael Bradley (Princeton, New Jersey)

Bradley and Altidore shoulder the blame for being part of the USMNT's failed World Cup qualification in 2018, but make no mistake, both are top-10 players in the program. Bradley, in his prime, was arguably the best central midfielder to wear the U.S. colors, with a strong tactical IQ, along with underrated vision and passing. 

Defensive Midfielder: Weston McKennie (Fort Lewis, Washington)

While he has frustrated his managers at Juventus at times, there is no denying his talent. McKennie is a strong box-to-box midfielder who has an almost Dennis Rodman-like skill of getting under opponents' skin. Who can forget McKennie getting his kit torn by a Mexico's Jorge Sanchez during the 2023 Nations League due to his mind games on the pitch?

Defender: Steve Cherundolo (Rockford, Illinois) 

From Timothy Chandler to Sergino Dest, there have been plenty of talented right backs who have walked through the USMNT door, but none of them consistently showed up like Cherundolo. The mayor of Hannover wasn't blessed with the exceptional speed of Chandler or the creativity of Dest, but he was a warrior who was underrated for his ability to shut down opposing wingers.

Defender: Carlos Bocanegra (Upland, California)

USMNT fans often forget that it was Bocanegra who captained the team's impressive runs in the 2009 Confederations Cup and the 2010 World Cup. At his best, Bocanegra was a solid player over a 14-year career that spanned Europe and MLS. And his California chill was a welcome presence on a U.S. side constantly under pressure.

Defender: Alexi Lalas (Birmingham, Michigan)

He's more known today for his consistent hot takes as an analyst, but Lalas could arguably make a case for being America's first true soccer star. With his hippie locks and daring fashion choices, Lalas was the household name on the U.S.'s iconic 1994 team. He was also the second American to play in Serie A. 

Defender: DeAndre Yedlin

One of the players teed up to replace Cherundolo at right back with the USMNT after he retired, Yedlin never quite lived up to expectations, but he still had a heck of a career. Yedlin had an impact in Europe and helped Lionel Messi secure his first trophy in MLS - the 2023 Leagues Cup. 

Goalkeeper: Tony Meola

Meola remains a top-five all-time goalkeeper for the USMNT, with his heroics playing a significant role in the team's surprise run in 1994.