The United States of Soccer: From USMNT legend Clint Dempsey to the brilliant Chris Richards - the best players from the South

Hometown: Birmingham

Clubs played for: Bayern Munich, Hoffenheim, Crystal Palace

USMNT caps: 33

Why he’s No. 1: Richards is proof of how finding the right club can change your career. Hyped by American fans when he joined Bayern Munich in 2018, Richards was too raw to make it in Bavaria at first. A middling loan to Hoffenheim followed, but he has since become a standout under Oliver Glasner for an excellent Crystal Palace team. These days, he's a top name on the teamsheet for the USMNT, too. Certainly, a bigger move is on the way for a real talent. 

Runners-up:

2. Tanner Tessmann (Birmingham): Coming into his own at Lyon, but still needs to show he can do it for a full season. 

3. Aron Johannsson (Mobile): A dual-national who rather lost his way, Johannsson had all of the talent, but never quite put everything together. 

Hometown: Little Rock

Clubs played for: FC Dallas, North Texas SX, Columbus Crew 2, Stabaek FC, North Carolina FC

USMNT caps: 0

Why he’s No. 1: Arkansas is home to any number of NFL and NBA stars. Soccer really isn't the state's calling card. Thomas Roberts, now of the USL's North Carolina FC, was a youth national, but is on his sixth club at the age of 24. 

Runners-up:

2. Parker Maher (Fort Smith): A brief USL spell but little else for the Missouri State talent. 

3. Central Arkansas (Conway): OK, so not an individual player. But shout out to the Bears as the only Division 1 men's college program in the state.

Hometown: Bear

Clubs played for: Bethlehem Steel, Philadelphia Union, Genk, Toulouse

USMNT caps: 22

Why he’s No. 1: Where do you want to start? McKenzie is the epitome of an American homegrown centerback in the modern era. He starred for a number of club teams before moving swiftly through college, MLS and then into Europe. These days, he is a regular for Toulouse and a presumptive starter for the USMNT at the World Cup - assuming he stays fit. 

Runners-up: 

2. Anthony Fontana (Newark): A seasoned journeyman who contributed to a Supporters' Shield win for the Union and flirted with a European career.

3. Rob Smith (Wilmington): One of the original MLS midfielders, Smith played for the Crew and also featured for the U.S. youth national teams.

Hometown: Longwood

Clubs played for: Central Florida Kraze, Sporting Kansas City

USMNT caps: 55

Why he’s No. 1: Now we're talking. Florida is a sporting hotbed in general, and it has made a fine contribution to soccer, too. Zusi enjoyed a wonderful MLS career, playing 355 times for Sporting KC, serving as both a winger and right back. His impact at the 2014 World Cup simply cannot be understated, as Zusi provided two assists for a solid USMNT. Seven All-Star appearances, two MLS best XIs, and one of the top assist providers in the league, Zusi had a legendary career. 

Runners-up:

2. Dax McCarty (Winter Park): Could have earned the top spot. McCarty was a fantastic MLS journeyman who slotted in wherever he played. A word, in particular, for his marking of Lionel Messi in Atlanta's win over Miami in the 2024 MLS playoffs.

3. Aidan Morris (Fort Lauderdale): Give it a year or two, and Morris might be higher. He had slipped slightly since joining Middlesbrough, but remains a solid performer for the Championship club. The question is: what's next? 

Hometown: Lawrenceville

Clubs played for: FC Dallas, LAFC, Nashville

USMNT caps: 46

Why he’s No. 1: The epitome of an MLS centerback, Zimmerman has made a wonderful career across three clubs. Nashville, in particular, has treated him well, where he has developed into a player who deserves a look for the 2026 World Cup, while also collecting a first U.S. Open Cup for the squad. And at 32, he is aging like a fine wine. Watch this space. 

Runners-up:

2. Sean Johnson (Lilburn): It is very hard to be a starting goalkeeper in MLS for 15 years. Johnson has done that. 

3. Josh Wolff (Stone Mountain): An excellent forward who scored plenty in MLS, he could never quite perform for the USMNT. 

Hometown: Louisville

Clubs played for: Louisville City, Benfica, Benfica B

USMNT caps: 0

Why he’s No. 1: Kentucky is admittedly thin when it comes to soccer talent, but Wynder is certainly on the up. He was a USL record sale from Louisville City to Benfica in 2023, and has been knocking on the door for the first team there. At 20, he's a little young for the USMNT senior setup, but his moment will certainly come as the current crop ages. 

Runners-up:

2. Elijah Wynder (Louisville): Much more than just Joshua's brother, but has plenty of work to do before he settles into a senior team. 

3. Jeff Hughes (Covington): With one of the stranger careers you will find, Hughes enjoyed some USL play before becoming an indoor star. He now coaches academy soccer in San Diego. 

Hometown: New Orleans

Clubs played for: New England Revolution, New York City FC, D.C. United, Columbus Crew, Toronto FC

USMNT caps: 0

Why he’s No. 1: Mullins could have been the next big thing. He was a true college soccer star at Maryland, winner of the Mac Hermann award, and a first-round draft pick by New England in 2014. But he never quite settled in MLS. His best years were 2015-2018, where he was a solid contributor, mostly off the bench, for D.C. United and NYCFC.

Runners-up:

2. George Marks (Baton Rouge): Still waiting for his career to take off, but has done a job in MLS Next Pro. A top-tier team might take a chance. 

3. Andrew Tarbell (Mandeville): He has an MLS Cup to his name. 

Hometown: Crofton

Clubs played for: Miami Fusion, Colorado Rapids, Real Salt Lake

USMNT caps: 58

Why he’s No. 1: Beckerman made MLS look easy for many years. He was caught in a tough spot at first, playing for Miami Fusion when they were in their formative years. But he then established himself as one of the best midfielders in MLS. He made the All-Star team six times, won MLS Cup in 2009 with Real Salt Lake, and was a World Cup contributor on two occasions for his country. Not many can say that. 

Runners-up:

2. AJ DeLaGarza (Bryans Road): A diligent defender with an eye for a pass, DeLaGarza was the kind of player coaches simply loved to have, a gap filler and reliable right-back for nearly 15 years.

3. Matai Akinmboni (Upper Marlboro): The guy is already in the Bournemouth setup. Give it a few years. 

Hometown: Brandon

Clubs played for: D.C. United, Chicago Fire, Philadelphia Union, Montreal Impact, Sporting KC

USMNT caps: 8

Why he’s No. 1: In an admittedly thin crop, Mapp stands out. An immensely creative wide player who could produce a moment of magic on a whim, he made 309 appearances in MLS, and flirted with the USMNT between 2005 and 2007. An MLS Best XI selection in 2006 serves as validation. Fire fans could argue that he didn't get the credit he deserved. 

Runners-up:

2. Marcus Epps (Jackson): It never quite came off for him in MLS, but Epps has embraced USL in full. 

3. Raul Gonzalez (Ocean Springs): You don't just stumble into international football, and Gonzalez appeared for Puerto Rico, which is no small feat. 

Hometown: Hillsborough

Clubs played for: Chicago Fire

USMNT caps: 6

Why he’s No. 1: Who doesn't love a one club man? Pause was never particularly flashy as a footballer. Instead, he was the very definition of a solid defensive midfielder, playing a decade for the Fire and leading them to two Open Cups in a successful stretch. He was just the kind of player that every team loves to have, and deserves his flowers for that. 

Runners-up:

2. Gianluca Busio (Greensboro): Clearly a wonderful talent, but has some work to do to settle in Europe before he can be considered a top-level footballer. 

3. Roy Lassiter (Raleigh): A journeyman of the early days of MLS, he played for a handful of clubs and also enjoyed 34 caps with the USMNT.

Hometown: Edmond

Clubs played for: Orlando City, Barnsley, West Brom

USMNT caps: 10

Why he’s No. 1: Dike is hoping to avoid becoming one of the great "what ifs" of American soccer. He smashed it in college, impressed for Orlando City, and showed he could make the grade at West Brom with a series of strong performances. Achilles injuries have subsequently slowed his career a bit, but there is plenty of reason to believe that he could soon be in the conversation for the USMNT if he remains fit. 

Runners-up:

2. Zach Loyd (Tulsa): A technical midfielder who contributed for Dallas, Loyd never quite took the next step - although he was capped by the USMNT.

3. Rokas Pukstas (Stillwater): Hyped as a teenager and part of the U.S. youth setups, Pukstas needs to show he can do it in the Croatian top flight more consistently.

Hometown: Greenwood

Clubs played for: HFC Haarlem, RKSV Pancratius, Zeeburgia, FC Groningen

USMNT caps: 0

Why he’s No. 1: A right back who was part of the early days of the U.S. fascination with players in Europe, the defender bounced around the Eredivisie where he made a fine career. South Carolina, it must be admitted, is not a deep soccer state. But Payne proved his worth over the years.

Runners-up:

2. John Wilson (Seneca): One of the great USL vets, Wilson made 333 appearances in his professional career before having a go as a coach. 

3. Robbie Robinson (Camden): A tricky winger who was selected first overall by Inter Miami in the 2020 MLS SuperDraft, injuries derailed what might have been a promising career. 

Hometown: Chattanooga

Clubs played for: Philadelphia Union, Montreal Impact, Columbus Crew, Portland Timbers, LA Galaxy, Indy Eleven, Oakland Roots

USMNT caps: 0

Why he’s No. 1: McInerney figured to be the next big thing as a youngster. He was highly rated as a youth player, and was ushered into the Union first team as a teenager. He never quite lived up to the hype, but managed to piece together a solid career, marked mostly by his four years in Philly, as well as 2013 Gold Cup Winner's medal in his sole call up for the USMNT. 

Runners-up:

2. Adam Henley (Knoxville): Tennessee born but England raised, Henley had a go on both sides of the Atlantic, and was in the Wales setup when they made an unlikely run at Euro 2016. 

3. Aaron Schoenfeld (Knoxville): Eight clubs, 10 years, and an Israeli Premier League title to show for it. Not bad going. 

Hometown: Nacogdoches

Clubs played for: New England Revolution, Fulham, Tottenham 

USMNT caps: 141

Why he’s No. 1: If he's not the USMNT GOAT, then Dempsey is certainly in the top three. Much of the U.S. soccer scene is defined by players who went to top colleges or came through elite soccer academies. Well, Dempsey isn't quite that. He was a tough kid from Texas, refined at Furman University. His professional career took him far and wide, but he established himself as a bona fide star in the Premier League, and one of the best to wear the USMNT kit.

And who could forget that goal against England to secure a draw in the World Cup group stage in 2010? Or the goal after 29 seconds into a fixture at the 2014 World Cup? He's a legend who remains a crucial part of the U.S. soccer sphere, long after his playing days.  

Runners-up:

2. Omar Gonzalez (Dallas): A classic centerback, Gonzalez was a regular for a handful of a number of MLS teams and regular for the national team.

3. Stu Holden (Sugar Land): A worldwide talent who played on both sides of the Atlantic and also had some wonderful fleeting moments with the USMNT. 

Hometown: Manassas

Clubs played for: Sporting KC, Orlando City, Philadelphia Union, Chicago Fire, Nashville SC, Toronto FC

USMNT caps: 4

Why he’s No. 1: Want a thinking man's MLS legend? Here you go. Sapong had a wonderful career spanning six MLS clubs, and he scored goals pretty much wherever he went. He was Rookie of the Year and part of two Championship winning teams. He changed himself from a winger to out-and-out No. 9, and was simply reliable as they come. Injuries - of which there were many - shortened his career. But what a player.

Runners-up: 

2. Greg Vanney (South Boston): Perhaps a victim of the struggle to compare eras. Vanney was a Galaxy legend as a player, and played for the national team 37 times. But he is now certainly remembered for his coaching pedigree. 

3. Kevin Paredes (South Riding): An immense talent who needs a couple of years of fitness to live up to the hype.

Hometown: Washington, D.C.

Clubs played for: Metz, Standard Liege, Milan, Sporting CP, Sheffield Wednesday, Charlton, Philadelphia

USMNT caps: 69

Why he’s No. 1: Want a hard-nosed centerback? Here you go. "Gooch" stands at 6-4 and weighs 210 pounds. But he was more than just a bruiser. The D.C. native had some finesse to him, too, something he showed time and time again in a 16-year career that included stops in some of the biggest leagues in the world. The USMNT treated him well, too, as Onyewu was a mainstay for a decade, and remains the tallest player to represent the U.S. 

Runners-up: 

2. Jordan Pefok (Washington D.C.): He flirted with the USMNT, and perhaps deserved more of a look. Now at 29, he is still doing it in France. 

3. Desmond Armstrong (Washington D.C.): It isn't easy to play 81 times for your country, and he did that from 1987-94.

Hometown: Moundsville

Clubs played for: Ajax Orlando Prospects, Central Florida Kraze, Bayamon FC, Pattaya United, Air Force United, IK Frej, Ottawa Fury, Colorado Springs Switchbacks, Saint Louis FC

USMNT caps: 0 

Why he’s No. 1: West Virginia is not a state known for soccer. However, there’s some good stuff to be found there. Both Marshall and West Virginia have excellent college teams that have routinely contended for NCAA championships. And a word for Gorrick, who is the kind of journeyman goalkeeper the U.S. needs more of, with plenty of USL stops throughout a wonderful, unpredictable career.

Runners-up:

2. West Virginia Mountaineers (Morgantown): Not an individual player, but the program has had immense success in the collegiate game.

3. Marshall University (Huntington): NCAA Tournament champions in 2020, and the "Thundering Herd" have the best mascot name in college sports. Fight us on this.