The 1990s marked a pivotal era for soccer in the United States.
The sport took center stage in the summer of 1994 with the World Cup in the United States, including a grueling final at the Rose Bowl that went down to a tense penalty shootout. Major League Soccer launched two years later and, in 1999, a watershed moment for soccer and women’s sports arrived with the women’s World Cup in the United States — 90,000 fans watched the United States capture glory in the final at the Rose Bowl and Brandi Chastain became an instant icon.
Alongside those milestones, many notable names helped set the stage for a new wave of optimism as the USMNT enters knockout round play buoyed by momentum after wins over Paraguay and Australia.
Here are 10 iconic U.S. men’s national team soccer players to know before the 2026 World Cup Round of 32.
![United States midfielder Landon Donovan (10) is tripped up by Scotland midfielder Scott Brown (right) in first half action of the U.S. men's national soccer team against Scotland Saturday, May 26, 2012 in Jacksonville, Florida. [Will Dickey/Florida Times-Union]](https://www.newsbeep.com/us-ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/USATSI_29169078-edited.jpg)
United States midfielder Landon Donovan (10) is tripped up by Scotland midfielder Scott Brown (right) in first half action of the U.S. men’s national soccer team against Scotland Saturday, May 26, 2012 in Jacksonville, Florida. [Will Dickey/Florida Times-Union]
Landon Donovan (2000-2014)
A Southern California native and a U.S. men’s national team legend, Landon Donovan has an impressive background in soccer. He has 57 goals for the national team, which is tied for most goals in the country’s history with teammate Clint Dempsey.
The attacking midfielder leads the playmaker spot with 58 assists.
Donovan is the second-most capped player in USMNT history, including three World Cup competitions. He is remembered for scoring the game-winning goal in the closing minutes against Algeria during the final group stage game at the 2010 World Cup. His goal sent the U.S. into the Round of 16 and to the top of their group ahead of England.
During his club career, Donovan is best known for his time with LA Galaxy, where he won four MLS Cup titles, became the all-time leading goal scorer with 113 goals and made 283 appearances, the second most at the club.
Donovan also had notable stints in England with Everton and in Germany with Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen. He additionally played for the San Jose Earthquakes, where he won two MLS Cups.
Jul 21, 2007; Carson, CA, USA; Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Cobi Jones (13) is defended by Chelsea-FC midfielder Michael Essien (5) in the first half during their exhibition match at the Home Depot Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Cobi Jones (1994-2007)
Cobi Jones was one of many early iconic U.S. players to be part of soccer-mania unfolding in the 90s. The midfielder has played in three World Cups, including being part of the national team during the 1994 tournament in the United States. He made 164 appearances for the national team, which is the most in U.S. men’s soccer history.
During the MLS’s inaugural season, Jones joined the LA Galaxy, where he would make 306 appearances, scoring 70 goals and winning two MLS Cups.
His best season came in 1998, when he scored 19 goals and assisted 13 times and was awarded the U.S. Soccer Player of the Year.
Before joining the LA Galaxy, Jones also played in the English Premier League for Coventry City and Brazilian team Vasco De Gama.
Tim Howard stretches to make a save.
Tim Howard (2002-2017)
Goalkeeper Tim Howard is widely regarded as one of the greatest American players in history after an acclaimed playing career. He is the most capped goalkeeper of all-time for the USMNT and started in all of the teams World Cup matches during 2010 and 2014, where the squad reached the round of 16 both times.
During his playing career, Howard joined the English Premier League club Manchester United in 2003, making 70 appearances and winning the 2004 League Cup and the 2006 FA Cup.
Howard’s most well-known stint was with Everton where he made 329 appearances, including scoring a goal against Bolton Wanderers in 2012, making him only the fourth goalkeeper to find the back of the net in the Premier League.
In the 2014 World Cup, Howard also set the record for most saves in a game with 16 against Belgium. The U.S. was defeated 2-1, despite Howard’s incredible heroics.
He also made 100 appearances in the MLS for the Colorado Rapids.
U.S. Men’s National team Clint Dempsey (8) dribbles up field against Jamaica during the first half of their CONCACAF World Cup qualifying game at Crew Stadium, September 11, 2012.
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Clint Dempsey (2004-2017)
Clint Dempsey is tied with Landon Donovan as the all-time leading scorer for the USMNT with 57 goals in 141 appearances. Known for his toughness and creativity, Dempsey was one of the most dynamic American attackers of his generation.
He played in three different World Cups, becoming the first American to score in three different tournaments. In the 2014 World Cup group stage match against Ghana, he scored after 30 seconds, 5th fastest goal in the tournament’s history.
Dempsey spent much of his club career in England with Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur, where he became the highest-scoring American in Premier League history with 57 goals.
He also played in Major League Soccer with the New England Revolution and Seattle Sounders, winning an MLS Cup with Seattle in 2016.
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Christian Pulisic (2016-Present)
The current USMNT captain and star attacker Christian Puslisic, nicknamed “Captain America” is one of the best active North American players in the game.
At this time, he’s playing for the Italian team AC Milan, winning the 2025 Supercoppa Italiana.
His silky dribbling and creative playmaking led him to a major transfer to Premier League club Chelsea in 2019 where he won the 2021 UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World CuTp in the same season.
Pulisic has played 78 times for the USMNT, scoring 32 goals, sitting fifth in the all-time leading goalscorer table. He is also the youngest player ever to captain the national team at the age of 20.
In 2016, he began his professional career with Borussia Dortmund in Germany, winning only the 2017 DFB-Pokal (German Cup).
Aaron E. Martinez/USA TODAYAaron E. Martinez/USA TODAY
United States midfielder Weston McKennie (8) shoots the ball during the match against Grenada at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas on June 10, 2022.
Weston McKennie (2017-Present)
Midfielder Weston McKennie has become one of the most versatile players for the U.S. men’s national team. Known for his energy, physically and ability to contribute both defensively and in attack, McKennie has earned more than 50 caps.
Mckennie scored in the U.S. victory in the 2021 CONCACAF Nations League final against Mexico and a year later featured in all the teams matches in the 2022 World Cup.
He began his professional career in Germany with Schalke 04 before moving to Italian giants Juventus in 2020. With Juventus, he won the 2021 Coppa Italia and the 2021 Supercopa Italiana.
He also spent a season with Leeds United in the English Premier League.
Jul 24, 1992; Barcelona, SPAIN; FILE PHOTO; Claudio Reyna (USA) (10) in action against Joe Max Moore (ITA) (13) during the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games at Camp Nou. Mandatory Credit: George Long-USA TODAY NETWORK
Claudio Reyna (1994-2008)
Claudio Reyna, nicknamed “Captain America”, before Pulisic, was a midfield leader for the U.S. in four World Cups. He earned 112 caps and is regarded as one of the most skillful playmakers in U.S. soccer history.
Reyna served as captain in the 2002 and 2006 World Cups, helping the U.S. reach the quarterfinals in 2002, the team’s best finish in the modern era. He was also named to the tournament’s all-star team of the year.
At the club level, Reyna played in Germany with Bayer Leverkusen and Wolfsburg, in Scotland with Rangers, and in England with Sunderland and Manchester City, where he made over 100 appearances combined.
He also played in Mayor League Soccer for the New York Red Bulls.
Sep 21, 1996; Columbus, OH, USA; FILE PHOTO; New England Revolution defender Alexi Lalas before the game against the Columbus Crew at Ohio Stadium. The Crew beat the Revolution 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Alexi Lalas (1994-2003)
Alexi Lalas was one of the most recognizable U.S. players during the 1994 World Cup, remembered for his distinctive long hair and goatee as much as his hardheaded defending. He earned 96 caps for the national team and scored nine goals as a defender.
After the 1994 tournament, Lalas became the first American to play in Italy’s top division, Serie A, joining Padova.
He returned to the U.S. to play in Major League Soccer, featuring for the New England Revolution, MetroStars, Kansas City Wizards and LA Galaxy, where he won the 2002 U.S. Open Cup.
Jul 19, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Brad Friedel (24) after the game against the Seattle Sounders FC at CenturyLink Field. The game was a 3-3 draw. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
Brad Friedel (1995-2015)
Goalkeeper Brad Friedel earned 82 caps for the U.S. and played in three World Cups, including starting every match at the 2002 tournament, where the team advanced to the quarterfinals.
Friedel enjoyed a long career in the English Premier League, making more than 450 appearances across stints with Liverpool, Aston Villa, Tottenham Hotspur and Blackburn Rovers. He set a league record with 310 consecutive appearances without missing a game, spanning eight seasons.
While at Blackburn, he notably scored a goal in the Premier League against Charlton Athletic, finding the back of the net with a header from a corner kick during the 90th minute to equalize. His team ended up losing the match 3-2.
He also spent a year in Turkey with Galatasaray and played domestically for the Columbus Crew in Major League Soccer.
September 29, 2010; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Chicago Fire forward Brian McBride (20) warms up against the San Jose Earthquakes at Buck Shaw Stadium. The Fire defeated the Earthquakes 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Brian McBride (1994-2010)
Forward Brian McBride was a reliable striker for the USMNT, scoring 30 goals in 96 appearances. He featured in three World Cups, including scoring twice during the 2002 run to the quarterfinals.
McBride was a fan favorite in England with Fulham, where he scored 33 goals in 140 appearances and served as captain.
Domestically, McBride played with the Columbus Crew and Chicago Fire in MLS, where he scored over 60 goals combined and was known for his aerial ability and leadership.
He also spent time in Germany with VFL Wolfsburg and in England with Preston North End and Everton.
About the 2026 World Cup
The 2026 World Cup group stage lasts until June 27, then the top two teams in each group along with the eight best third-place finishers will advance to the Round of 32 beginning on June 28.
The remaining winning teams will then play in the Round of 16 starting on July 4. The quarterfinals will be held on July 9, and the semifinals will be July 14 and July 15, leading up to the championship match at MetLife Stadium on July 19.
Inglewood’s SoFi Stadium, renamed Los Angeles Stadium for the tournament, is one of the venues that will host the international soccer tournament. There are five group stage matches at the stadium and three knockout phase games
June 12: USA 4, Paraguay 1
June 15: Iran 2, New Zealand 2
June 18: Switzerland v. Bosnia and Herzegovina
June 21: Belgium v. Iran
June 25: USA v. Türkiye
June 28: Round of 32 match
July 2: Round of 32 match
July 10: Quarterfinal
Other U.S. host cities are Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Miami, New York/New Jersey, Philadelphia, Seattle and the Bay Area.
Guadalajara, Mexico City and Monterrey are Mexico’s host cities. Toronto and Vancouver will host matches in Canada.
NBCLA’s Jonathan Lloyd contributed to this report.