Top 10 best US women’s soccer players of all time
On the vast map of world women’s soccer, the United States is not only a powerhouse but also home to the greatest talent. With a dense history of success and immense contributions to the sport, America’s women’s soccer players have made an undeniable mark in the hearts of fans and on the pitch. They are not only champions, but also heroes, inspirations and symbols for the development of women’s football around the world. Today let’s Premiumsoccertips.net learn about the top 10 best US women’s soccer players!
Top 10 best US women’s soccer players
1. Michelle Akers
Akers is considered one of the greatest female soccer players in the history of the United States, with 107 international goals as of July 2023. Particularly notable is her significant contribution to the U.S. national team’s victory in the FIFA World Cup 1991 opening ceremony, scoring 10 goals in the tournament. Akers’ career was outstanding not only on the field but also in a leadership role, demonstrated by her pivotal role in securing the U.S.’s second World Cup title in 1999.
With 155 appearances for the national team, Akers has become an icon of women’s soccer in the U.S. Her contributions were acknowledged by FIFA when she was honored as the Female Player of the Century in 2002, along with ranking sixth in the list of all-time top scorers for the United States.
2. Shannon Boxx
Boxx has cemented her name in the history of the United States women’s national soccer team with remarkable achievements. Spanning from 2003 to 2015, her career was crucial to the success of the national team. Boxx is one of the few players celebrated not only for consistency in World Cup tournaments in 2003, 2007, 2011, and 2015, but also for impressive feats in the Olympics, securing three consecutive gold medals in 2004, 2008, and 2012.
With 127 caps and 27 goals for the national team, Boxx set a high standard of consistency and effective contribution in every match. Excelling not only internationally, Boxx also made a strong impression at the club level, competing in prestigious leagues such as the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), Professional Women’s Soccer, and the Women’s United Soccer Association, marking a colorful and successful career.
3. Brandi Chastain
Chastain is not just a player but also an icon of a sacred moment in the history of international women’s soccer and sports in general. Her decisive penalty shootout goal in the 1999 World Cup final deeply touched the hearts of fans and propelled the United States to glory. The iconic jersey-removal celebration became a symbol of women’s empowerment and confidence in a field often seen as male-dominated.
However, Chastain’s career is not just a historic moment. With 30 goals in 192 appearances for the national team from 1988 to 2004, she demonstrated stability and significant contribution to the national team. With her presence in three World Cups and two victories, along with two Olympic gold medals, Chastain made an undeniable contribution to the development of women’s soccer in the United States and its international stature. Honored in the National Soccer Hall of Fame, Chastain is one of the women who shaped and elevated the stature of this sport.
4. Crystal Dunn
Dunn, one of the talented and versatile players of the United States women’s national soccer team, has become an integral part of the squad for the 2023 World Cup. With 24 goals and 19 assists in 132 appearances for the national team, she has proven herself to be one of the world’s best defenders. One of Dunn’s memorable moments was scoring five goals against Puerto Rico in 2016, demonstrating danger and efficiency in attack.
Dunn’s career began in 2008, with success at the U17 and U20 levels. Since then, she has consistently developed into one of the standout players in U.S. soccer. With excellent achievements at the club level, Dunn has won numerous prestigious awards, including the NWSL Most Valuable Player and Golden Boot awards in 2015, at only 25 years old. Dunn has showcased her creativity and influence on the field, becoming one of the youngest players to win both of these titles.
5. Julie Ertz
Ertz has become an integral part of the United States national team since 2013, starting from her days playing for the U15 team. With her reliability and versatility, she has contributed to the team’s success in various positions on the field. With 20 goals and 6 assists in 188 appearances for the national team, Ertz has shown her versatility and significant impact in every match. She has also twice won the U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year award, demonstrating her stability and class on the international stage.
With two World Cup victories and an Olympic silver medal in Tokyo 2021, Ertz is not only an outstanding player but also a true champion. Her success is not only the pinnacle of personal effort but also the result of cooperation and teamwork within the United States national team.
6. Julie Foudy
Foudy is not only an outstanding player on the field but also an icon of presence and significant contribution to women’s soccer worldwide. With her presence on the field, along with work in broadcasting and global appearances, she is truly a great ambassador for the sport.
As one of the early stars of the United States national team, Foudy had an impressive career from 1988 to 2004. She captained the team in the late 1990s and participated in 4 World Cups and 3 Summer Olympic Games. With 274 caps, Foudy ranks fifth in U.S. history, and her 55 assists also rank in the top 10.
Foudy’s honor extends beyond the field as she was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2007, honoring her outstanding contributions and achievements for U.S. women’s soccer and globally.
7. Mia Hamm
While Julie Foudy may be considered one of the early stars of the United States, Hamm was the first superstar of the United States. She has long been regarded as the greatest female player in the world for much of her time with the national team (1987-2004). Hamm’s 276 appearances for the USWNT rank fourth all-time, while her 158 goals place her second.
However, no American woman has more assists than Hamm’s 147 Hall of Famer. With four World Cup appearances (1991, 1995, 1999, 2003) and three Olympic team memberships (1996, 2000, ’04), Hamm is a five-time winner of the USSF Female Athlete of the Year award and a two-time FIFA Women’s World Player of the Year (2001, ’02).
8. April Heinrichs
Heinrichs is not only an excellent player but also someone who paved the way for most of the athletes on this list. As the captain of the United States national team, she led the team to victory in the 1991 World Cup, a significant milestone in women’s soccer history.
Heinrichs was a vital player for the team from 1986 to 1991, scoring 37 goals in just 47 official appearances. Although her playing career ended, Heinrichs continued to play an important role in the development of U.S. women’s soccer, serving as the national team coach from 2000 to 2004.
Heinrichs’ greatest honor is not only her personal achievements but also being inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 1998, becoming the first female player to achieve this, marking an impressive career and profound influence in women’s soccer.
9. Lauren Holiday
Holiday is not only an inspiration on the field but also off it. With a journey overcoming two significant surgeries – a heart surgery at age 3 and a benign brain tumor removal in 2016, she has demonstrated extraordinary patience and strength. With 24 goals in 133 appearances for the national team from 2007 to 2015, Holiday has made a name for herself in women’s soccer.
She was a member of two World Cup teams (2011, 2015) and the 2008 and 2012 U.S. Olympic teams, winning gold medals in each World Cup and Olympic cycle. At the club level, Holiday played for Boston and FC Kansas City of the National Women’s Soccer League, where she was the first player to retire, leaving a deep mark in the league’s history.
10. Kristine Lilly
Lilly is an undeniable legend of the United States national team, with 354 appearances – a number unmatched by anyone. Throughout more than 20 years (1987-2010), she has been an indispensable icon of women’s soccer in the United States. With participation in 5 World Cups (1991, 1995, 1999, 2003, 2007), Lilly has contributed an undeniable record to the sport.
Lilly’s role as a powerful attacking midfielder has been demonstrated by scoring 130 goals, placing her in the top 10 in U.S. soccer history. Additionally, her 106 assists are an impressive achievement, second only to Mia Hamm. Lilly’s honor extends beyond the field as she was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2014, honoring her outstanding career and significant influence in women’s soccer.
Conclude
The best US women’s soccer players are not only excellent players on the pitch but also women with fighting spirit, dedication and passion for the sport they love. They have contributed in no small part to bringing women’s football to the peak of its popularity and beauty. With their records, trophies and emotional stories, they will always be remembered in the hearts of fans and a constant source of inspiration for the next generation of American women’s football.
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