I can still remember being a kid seeing Jermaine Jones' goal against portugal, and hearing the ball thump into the net. Literally one of my favorite usmnt moments, and part of how I became such a fan of the team and sport.
I gotta go with my boy Landon Donovan. That guy was constantly doing stuff that put everyone on the pitch that he could be top tier premier league this whole time (while playing in MLS). See not sure if you’re aware. But the reason he played out here is he’s always struggled with mental health issues. Being in Europe made him really not be in a good place with his depression. So he played in MLS because he was way less depressed when he was at home and near his family/counselor/doctors/culture. Probably the most “heart on his sleeve” player the US has ever produced. Even when it made him look bad. That guy always spoke his mind. Like it or not and I just have to respect that.
Dempsey is great, one of our best, Pulisic is on his way to achieving more for us than anyone, and could be argued to be the best already on multiple achievements for club. With time I'm sure he will take the top spot internationally. Altidore was great, but plagued with injury and then faded off in a really sad way. Donovan is the best we ever had though and the stats back it up hard. You can look it up and he holds more records than anyone and its not even close. Was also on the team that was one bad call from the ref making it to the semi finals of the 2002 world cup. He was smart, fast as fuck, incredibly fit, a clinical finisher, has more assists than any player in the world for a national team. Tied for the most goals for the usmnt, and holds all sorts of records for the USMNT and he retired earlier than he could have. Has a ton of MLS records as well. People give him credit for potentially saving the league just by playing there when it was on the brink of collapse and he was wanted in Europe. It was undisputed when he was playing that he was our best ever. After he retired he said some things that made people not like him as much, and his club legacy wasn't as good as Dempsey's, but it does not change the fact that he was the best for the usmnt. I basically got into the sport because of him, and I'll love Landon forever for the joy he brought me. The final thing he has, is the most emotional moment our team has ever had. His last minute goal vs Algeria in the world cup, do or die: Is the most wonderful payoff anyone who's watched this team has had. It shook us to our core
In terms of talent and quality and performance, Clint Dempsey is tied with Landon Donovan for the greatest American soccer player of all time. In terms of the social impact in growing the sport in popularity in this country, Christian Pulisic is the greatest American soccer player of all time.
@@wolf6462 Christian Pulisic has more potential talent… But he hasn’t proven it. He shows us glimpses, but it’s not consistent. Maybe in a few years we can put Christian Pulisic in front of Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan. But he has to do it consistently and for an extended period of time first. potential doesn’t count.
@@mdfrenchyDonovan was horrific in Europe… played in Europe for 3 years and had like 6 goal contributions (and I might be giving him too many still)… now if you had said Dempsey then you might have had an argument since he was actually successful in Europe the short time he was there
Michael Bradley was a great player for the US. Fantastic player, great goals, great moments. However, my lasting memory of him will always be his unforgivable gaffes against Portugal in the 2014 WC. We absolutely bossed them all night with the exception of two inexplicable mistakes on his part - both of which led directly to counter attack goals against the run of play. I truly wish I could be more objective and charitable. But the hardcore fan in me can't let it go. I freely confess, that is my shortcoming. He deserves to be remembered more fondly than I can bring myself to do.
In my mind, Donovan is the best attacking US player ever. Dempsey scored the same number of goals, and had some spectacular goals, but Donovan elevated the US team internationally. Donovan took the US soccer program to a new level. His confidence that we could beat any team on any field changed the expectations for the US. Before him, the US was just a plucky underdog who might pull an upset here or there. Donovan basically changed the expectations to why couldn't we beat the best. Dempsey followed in his footsteps, and now Pulisic, but Donovan was the guy who made it happen. As for Bradley, he would definitely be on my list as best ever starting 11 for the US.
Landon Donovan was the best and most iconic with Dempsey being a close 2nd however after Donovan retired, Dempsey started to play striker and he is honestly the best striker US ever had. (That’s not even his natural position)
Donovan is the consensus pick for best-ever US player, but I always rated Dempsey higher. Sometimes I change my opinion about these things after years of hindsight and watching highlights removed from the bias I had when they were current players, but even now I prefer Dempsey pretty clearly. Bradley and Altidore are a bit underrated imo - especially Bradley. Those guys did have some important moments where they didn't show up, and people remember that above all else, but like - even when they were featuring for the USMNT regularly, I felt like they got way too much criticism in supporters groups, in the general media, and so on. I hope they're remembered more fondly in the years to come.
Dempsey the greatest goal scorer, but Donovan with the best all-around game. Don’t forget Donovan had a lot of assist too. Like top 5 in the world for his national team.
Dempsey top goal scorer and creativity. If he took the PKs like Donovan, goal scoring title wouldnt be close. Was at the donovan 4 goal game in tampa vs Ecuador, wow. Donovan a close 2nd. Tab ramos and eddie pope among the best of the prior old teams. Howard and Friedel for the GKs. Altidore good and Bradley too in their primes. Liked Charlie Davies and unfortunate on his accident. Good video and discussion.
That goal vs Algeria decided their fate. It was scored in the 90 +1 minute for for the winner. If they wouldn’t have gotten that goal they would have been out but it lifted them to the top of the group.
Tough to decide between Dempsey, Donovon, and Pulisic but those are the right 3 guys. All three had World Cup success (for us thats getting out of the group stage) and scored big World Cup goals. I would probably rank them Dempsey, Donovon, Pulisic. With Pulisic having several years left to pass them. If we are including club success, I don't think its close, its Pulisic. He has had the most club success and at world class clubs. He won the Champions League and scored big goals for Chelsea.
Kasey Keller too. Keller was the star of the only game in which we've ever beaten Brazil. Even the great Brazilian striker Romario, who played in that game, said it was the best performance by a goalie he's ever seen.
Clint Dempsey might not be the single greatest player the US ever produced (he's up there, though). He does, however, hold the distinction of being the greatest *trash talker* ever to wear a US shirt. When he played in the EPL, he was taking the typical abuse all Americans endure from English players. Finally, he got in a shoving match with one of them and screamed the most bafflingly American thing anyone has ever said in a moment of anger - " *YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE I'M FROM DOG* !!!". The Englishman was so confused by a statement which meant precisely nothing, that he was rattled enough to be complete trash for the remainder of the match.
Personally, I think Dempsey is the greatest American footballer. I believe Christian Pulisic is the most talented and decorated having a Champion's League title under his name, but Clint was the whole package. Dempsey had quality, but above all he had guts, grit, determination, and was a real dog. Dude scrapped his way through the hardest days for a win or contribution to his team's. I was a Donovan fanboy growing up and thought he was the greatest, but Clint was successful abroad, and that's what in my opinion puts him over Landon Donovan. Clint Dempsey is the best American.
For the names that you mentioned, I'll rank them for you. I'm 40 and haven't missed a US game in over 20 years. 1. Donovan 2. Dempsey 3. Pulisic 4. Bradley 5. Altidore That's based on the people you named. I truly believe that one day Pulisic will surpass Donovan and Dempsey.
I just saw an article from sports illustrated where they asked Landon Donovan to name the GOAT USA players, and he said Mia Hamm, Tim Howard, Dempsey, and Beasley. Of course, he wouldn't say himself!
Pulisic for sure. But, fun fact, Landon Donavan has the worlds most assist in international mens football. Neymar will break it these comings weeks but still a surprise
most Americans disliked Jozy Altidore cuz he never showed up against good opponents or big games(Sunderland career prime example). many people called him Dozy because of this. only scores against poor teams/friendlies
1. Dempsey 2. Pulisic 3. Donovan 4. Bradley 20. Altidore Those goals that you saw were basically the only goals altidore could score for the national team, he couldn't score for the national team to save his life.
Dempsey is the best. Pulisic is faster. They are equal on skill. Dempsey didn't have that extra gear of speed or the explosive burst. He was pretty fast, but not Pulisic fast.
Wynaldas was an absolute banger. Earned us our first World Cup point since 1950, first WC match played indoors, and the goal was a worldie, top corner, keeper ain't catching it.
