his team consists of what constitute in my opinion the top 31 American players of all time. This includes both native born players as well as those who were naturalized at a young age. The team consists of 4 goalkeepers, 8 defenders, 10 midfielders and 9 forwards. I’ve also thrown in three coaches for good measure. This is by no means official or authoritative, it is just my opinion.
This selection takes into account their records with the National Team as well as with their professional or semi-professional teams in both league and cup competition. Individual championships or cups did not count as much as overall individual performance. I felt these 31 players represented the best in what the US has to offer. Of course, this list is subjective, and there are many criteria that could be legitimately used in making these selections, so this should not be taken as authoritative by any means, and of course the list would change over time, World Cup 2002 being the first event that will make an impact on these selections.
All-Time best American Team
Coach Bruce Arena Coach Ron Newman Coach Jimmy Mills GK Brad Friedel GK Kasey Keller GK Tim Howard GK Arnie Mausser GK Bob Rigby D Jeff Agoos D Marcelo Balboa D Paul Caligiuri D Thomas Dooley D John Doyle D Harry Keough D George Moorhouse D Eddie Pope M Andy Auld M Walter Bahr M Ricky Davis M Landon Donovan M Jimmy Gallagher M Cobi Jones M John Harkes M Bruce Murray M Hugo Perez M Tab Ramos M Claudio Reyna F Aldo Teo “Buff” Donelli F Billy Gonsalves F Brian McBride F Bart McGhee F Ed Murphy F Bert Patenaude F John Souza F Archie Stark F Eric Wynalda
BIOGRAPHIES – All-Time American Team Jeff Agoos – Born: May 2, 1968 in Switzerland. Defender. Moved to the US as a child. A veteran of the US National Team since 1988. 104 caps through 2000. Played in most of the important US matches of the 1990s. Member of the 1998 and 2002 world cup teams, solid, consistent and steady defender who stumbled at WC 2002. One of the last players cut from ’94 World Cup team. Key player in World Cup Qalifying in 1996-7, and 2000-01. In 2000 split time between the senior and Olympic teams. Helped led US to 4th place in Olympics. Excellent play in 1995 Parmalat Cup, 1998 CONCACAF Gold Cup finalists, and 1999 Federations Cup Bronze medal team. Has played in Major League Soccer since its inception, leading D. C. United to MLS Cup titles in ’96, ’97 and ’99. Named to MLS Best 11 team in 1997 and 1998. A pioneering American Abroad while with SV Wehen of Germany in 1995. Became the only four-time All-American for University of Virginia. Finalist for 1989 Hermann trophy. Soccer America co-freshman of the year in 1986.
Bruce Arena – Born in Brooklyn, NY on September 21, 1951. Coach. By far the most successful coach of the US Men’s National Team, he rebuilt the squad after the disastrous 1998 World Cup performance. Arena made a major sweep of the team, keeping the most productive veteran players while identifying, promoting and developing a wealth of new talent. With the US team already strong in goal, Arena directed his efforts towards making it both an attacking and defensive force. He concentrated on developing young talent, drawing heavily on Project 40 and MLS. Combining his coaching prowess with a carefully selected series of strong opponents, the team was able to gain considerable experience against highly skilled teams which went a great way towards honing players’ talents. He was not shy about dropping people who weren’t giving their best, and was willing to take risks giving unproven youngsters a shot. This soon paid off as the Nats made strong showings in the USA Cup and Confederations Cup in 2000, and won the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2002 and took the team to their most impressive performance yet in World Cup 2002, playing head to head with Germany in the quarterfinals after upsetting Mexico and Portugal in earlier rounds. His career was already well established when he took over the top job in 1998. While with D. C. United of Major League Soccer, he won the MLS Cup in 1996 and 1997, the US Open Cup in 1996 and the CONCACAF Champion Cup and Inter-American Cup in 1998. Earlier, he had a long and successful career with the University of Virginia, winning the NCAA Division 1 championship four straight years (1991-1994), and winning the ACC regular season title 8 times between 1983 and 1995.
Andy Auld – Born Scotland, January 26, 1900. Position: Half Back or Inside Forward. Joined first local club at age 11. Came to the US after military service and joined the American Soccer League, playing from 1924 to 1930 appearing in 277 games for the Providence Gold Bugs before the team moved to Fall River in 1931. Later he went on to play for Pawtucket and then he played for Portuguese Sport Club from 1934 to 1935. However, he will always be remembered for being a member of the U.S. World Cup team in 1930 where playing at left half he was considered one of the most outstanding players of the tournament. Inducted into US Hall of Fame in 1986. Died in Rhode Island, December 6, 1977.
Walter Alfred Bahr – born Philadelphia, PA April 1, 1927. Midfielder. Captain of the 1950 World Cup team who supplied the pass to Joe Gaetjens for the winning goal in the upset against England. Played 19 full internationals for the US team at a time when such games were rare. Also captained the 1948 Olympic Team. Played many seasons in the 1950s for the Philadelphia Nationals and Uhrik Truckers of the American Soccer League II, and playing on numerous ASL All-Star teams. While with the Nationals, won four league titles and reached the US Open Cup final twice. A highly successful head coach at Temple and Penn State, and professionally with Philadelphia Ukrainians and Spartans. Elected to the US Soccer Hall of Fame in 1976.
Marcelo Balboa – Born August 8, 1967, Chicago, IL. Defender. One of three players to play in the 1990, 1994 and 1998 World Cups. For a time held the record for most caps by a US National, earning 128 in all between 1988 and 2000. Captain of the USA squad who reached 4th place in the 1995 Copa America. USA Male Soccer Athlete of the Year in 1992 and 1994, and Honda Award winner in 1994. Scored 13 goals for the National Team, a high number for a defender. Nearly scored an incredible bicycle kick in 1994 Cup game vs. Colombia. Played in 1995 FIFA World All-Star match in 1995. Captain of the U-20 team at the 1987 World Youth Championships in Chile. Scored 2 goals in the USA’s win at the 1991 Gold Cup. Began his professional career in the American Professional Soccer League (Division 2), playing for the San Francisco Blackhawks, Colorado Foxes and San Diego Nomads. Signed with Leon of Mexico in 1995, and joined the Colorado Rapids of Major League Soccer in 1996. Helped lead the Rapids to MLS Cup 1997. Was awarded the MasterCard “Goal of the Year” award in 2000. All-American at San Diego State University in 1988-89, taking the team to the NCAA tournament. Played in the 1988 World University games.
Paul Caligiuri – Born March 9, 1964. Defender. Stalwart who played in every game of the 1990 and 1994 world cups. Caligiuri scored the deciding goal in the 1989 qualifying match in 1989 that sent the US to their first World Cup in forty years. Received 110 caps with the National Team between 1984 and 1997, and was a workhorse through much of the early 1990s. National Team player of the year in 1986. Captained the UCLA team to their 1985 NCAA title. Led the national team in minutes played in 1995. Played for St. Pauli in the German Bundesliga and with the Los Angeles Salsa of the USISL in 1995 before joining Major League Soccer. In MLS, he debuted with the Columbus Crew before settling in for five seasons with the Los Angeles Galaxy, taking them to MLS Cup 1999.
Ricky Davis – Born November 24, 1958. Midfielder. Rick Davis was the most prominent American player of the 1980s, at both club and national-team levels. Played 36 full international games for the United States, which was a record at that time, scoring 7 goals. From 1984 onward, he was the regular captain of the national team, including leading it in the 1984 and 1988 Olympic Games. Also played for the United States in the qualifying rounds of the 1982, 1986 and 1990 World Cups. Suffered a knee injury in January 1989 that ended his outdoor career. Played 154 games for the NASL’s Cosmos from 1978 to 1984, winning the Soccer Bowl in 1978, 1980 and 1982. Also participated in the Cosmos worldwide exhibition tours. Davis continued playing indoors until 1990, in an attempt to regain fitness and make the U.S. team for the 1990 World Cup. Also played several seasons of indoor soccer. Inducted into the US Soccer Hall of Fame in 2001.
Aldo Teo “Buff” Donelli – Born in Morgan, PA, July 22, 1907. Position: Center Forward. Buff Donelli was a fixture for many years in Pittsburgh amateur soccer. He landed a starting position at age 15 in 1922, with Morgan Strasser, and while with them led the Pittsburgh league in scoring for six consecutive seasons from 1922 to 1928. Moved to Heidelberg whom he led to the US National Amateur Cup in 1928 and 1929. After moving to the Curry Club in 1934, he was selected for the 1934 World Cup team. He scored four goals against Mexico in the qualifying game, and the only US goal in the loss to Italy in the first round. Still an amateur, he would have been a logical selection for the 1936 Olympics except he ahd retired by then. Donelli did come out of retirement to led Morgan Strasser to the US Open Cup championship in 1943. A star football player with Duquesne from 1926-29, he became a football head coach after his playing days, both in the NFL and with college teams. Inducted into the US Soccer Hall of Fame in 1954. Died at Ft. Lauderdale, FL, August 9, 1994.
Thomas Dooley – Born May 12, 1961. Defender. A stalwart on the defensive lines in World Cups 1994 and 1998. Captain of the US squad for all three games in the 1998 World Cup. Member of the national team from 1992-1999, earning 81 caps. A dual Citizen who was born and raised in Germany, Dooley had a long and successful career in the Bundesliga before joining the National Team, playing three seasons with Hamburg and four with Kaiserslautern. Was a key member of Kaiserslautern’s championship squad in 1990-91. Provided a key assist in his first US game vs. Ireland in 1992. 1992 Honda Award winner. Scored a goal in the US upset of England in 1993. Also played on the 1995 Copa America squad. After World Cup 1994, played for three more seasons in the Bundesliga before joining Major League Soccer’s Columbus Crew in 1997. He played for the Crew from 1997-99 and the MetroStars in 2000. Named to the MLS All-Star team in 1997 and 1998, was the “Fair Play” award in 1998.
Landon Donovan: Bio To Come! John Doyle – Born April 16, 1966. Position: Defender. A mainstay of the US National Team during the late 1980s, Doyle earned 57 caps between 1987 and 1994. One of his few goals was against Mexico in the surprising shutout at the 1991 CONCACAF Gold Cup. His other national team highlights included the 1989 upset against Trinidad that propelled the US into World Cup 1990, and his role as the defensive mainstay in the close 1-0 loss to Italy at the Cup. He continued to be a regular until the 1994 World Cup. Doyle starred for the University of San Francisco, played several seasons with the APSL’s San Francisco Bay Blackhawks, and was a charter member of Major League Soccer, playing five season with the San Jose Clash/Earthquakes., retiring in 2000. He was MLS Defender of the Year in 1996, and named to the MLS Best Eleven that year.
Brad Friedel – Born Nov. 12, 1969. Goalkeeper. Considered one of the top goalscorers in the world, a solid shot-stopper with command of the area and good ball-distribution skills. Member of US National Team since 1992, and a member of the 1994, 1998 and 2002 World Cup teams. Stellar play in his numerous 2002 Cup games. 45 caps through 2000. Originally backup to Tony Meola, has shared goalkeeping duties with Kasey Keller for many years. Key performances in USA Cup’95, and Copa America ’95 where he landed two shutouts. Shutout Mexico in ke1997 WC qualifying match. Started all games in USA Cup ’96 and Gold Cup ’98. Member of 1999 Confederations Cup squad which took Bronze (including 2-0 shutout of Germany). Started all six matches at 2000 Olympics. Primary goalkeeper at World Cup 20002 qualifying and finals. Professional career includes long stints with Blackburn Rovers and Liverpool, which included Cup appearances. Two seasons in Major League Soccer. Won 1993 Hermann Trophy while with UCLA. Led UCLA to 1990 NCAA Championship. Soccer America Freshman of the Year, 1990.
Jimmy Gallagher – Born in Scotland June 7, 1901. Right Back/Outside Back. Came to the US at age 12. One of Gallagher’s greatest assets was that he could play equally well at right half or outside right and was often used with great effect in the latter position. Played in three games in 1930 World Cup and 1 in 1934 World Cup. 7 caps and 1 goal with US National Team. Played 12 seasons in American Soccer League from 1921-1932. Won ASL championships with J&P; Coates of Pawtucket in 1922-23 and New York Giants in 1932. In 1929, won Lewis Cup with the New York Nationals. Later played for Slavia in Cleveland. Elected to the US Soccer Hall of Fame in 1986. Died in Cleveland Ohio October 7, 1971.
Adelino “Billy” Gonsalves – Born Portsmouth, RI, August 10, 1908. Died July 17, 1977. Forward. Perhaps the best US forward of all time. Gonsalves played in all three games at World Cup 1930 and also in the 1934 World Cup match, and was a key playmaker. His professional career was matched by few others. After playing for amateur clubs in Fall River, he led the Lusitanio Recreation Club of Cambridge to the Boston & District League championship. Signed in 1927 with the Boston Wonder Workers of the American Soccer League I, taking the team to the 1928-28 league title. Joined the Fall River Marksmen in 1929, leading that team to three league titles and US Open Cup titles in 1930 and 1931. Scored 92 goals in 180 games in five seasons with the ASL, and many more in his long careers in St. Louis and the ASL II. Also won US Open Cup titles for New Bedford Whalers in 1932, St. Louis Stix, Baer & Fuller in 1933, 1934 and St. Louis Central Breweries in 1935, giving him six consecutive national titles. Led St. Louis Shamrocks to Open Cup finals in 1936 and 1937, ditto with Chicago Manhattan Beer in 1939. Won his final two Open Cup titles in 1943 and 1944, with Brooklyn Hispano of the American Soccer League II. Inducted to the US Soccer Hall of Fame in 1950, as a charter member.
John Harkes – Born in Kearney, NJ March 8, 1967. Midfielder. One of the all-time cap earners for the National Team, with 90 caps through 2000. Started all three games for 1990 World Cup and all thee first round games in 1994. Career with US National Team started in 1987. Member of 3rd place 1999 Confederations Cup squad. Starter for the FIFA World All-Stars vs. Brazil in 1997. Co-MVP of 1995 Copa America tournament. Member of 1988 Olympic team. Played for University of Virginia, named Missouri Athletic Club and Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year in 1987. His professional career included stints with the American Soccer League III’s Albany Capitals in 1989. Played for Sheffield Wednesday in England from 1990-1993, becoming the first American to score a goal in the F.A. Cup, and also the first American to play in a F. A. Cup final in 1993. In 1992, was the first American to play in the UEFA Cup. Scored England’s “Goal of the Year” in 1990. Later played for Derby County and West Ham United of the Premiership. A charter member of Major League Soccer, he captained D. C. United to the inaugural MLS CUP and a US Open Cup title in 1996. Captained D. C. United to a second MLS title in 1997, and played on their 1998 squad that lost the Cup to Chicago Fire, and won the 1998 Interamerican Cup. Played for the New England Revolution 1999-2001, and was a four-time MLS All-Star.
Tim Howard – Bio to come! Cobi Jones. – Born June 16, 1970 in Detroit, MI. Midfielder. Currently the all-time leader in caps for the US national team with over 140 since his debut in 1992. Played every minute of the 1998 World Cup. Played two games in World Cup 1994 including the match against Brazil. Through 2000 had scored 14 goals. Youngest men’s player in the world to reach 100 caps. US’s leading scorer in 2000, played a pivotal role in World Cups 1994 and 1998. All-time assist leader for the Nats. Won the 1998 Honda Award and US Male Athlete of the Year. Member of the bronze medal squad at 1999 Confederations Cup in Mexico. Member of the 1992 US Olympic team. Member of the Gold Medal winning 1991 Pan-American Games squad. Played for UCLA in college, and was named to NSCAA 2nd All-American team in 1991. Played for Coventry City 1994-95 before signing with the Los Angeles Galaxy of Major League Soccer. A five time all-star, he was 2nd in league scoring in 1998, again leading the Galaxy in scoring in 2001. Helped lead the Galaxy to MLS Cup appearances in 1996 and 2001.
Kasey Keller – Possibly the best US goalkeeper of all time, and currently ranked as one of the top in the world. From his stellar performance at the 1989 U-20 world championships, Keller joined the US National Team in 1990 as a backup to Tony Meola during the World Cup. After Tony Meola dropped from the team in 1994, Keller had a starring role, playing in 9 World Cup qualifying games in 1996 and 1997. Was MVP at the 1998 CONCACAF Gold Cup, and had a strong performance at the 1999 Confederations Cup. Winner of the 1997 and 1999 USSF Athlete of the Year awards. Continued in fine form into 2000, with four shutouts in the first round of World Cup qualifying. Has played in more than twice as many games as any American on a European roster. After several seasons with England’s Millwall, where he had 20 shutouts in 1993-94, being voted the fans’ MVP, he jumped to the Premiership with Leicester, and helped save the team from relegation. Afdter three seasons, moved to Rayo Vallecano of Spain. During his European career, has played in numerous League Cup and UEFA Cup games.
Harry Keough. Born St. Louis, MO, November 15, 1927. Defender. Played on the 1950 World Cup squad, appearing in all three games. Also played for the 1952 US Olympic team. Received 17 caps in his national team career. Had a long career on St. Louis amateur clubs, winning the US Open Cup with St. Louis Kutis in 1954 and 1957. Won the National Amateur Cup in 1952 with the St. Louis Raiders, and won five consecutive Amateur Cup titles with Kutis from 1956-1961. Also won the US Junior Cup in 1946 with Schumachers. Coached the St. Louis University Billikens to a 213-50-23 record, winning numerous NCAA titles. Indicted into the US Soccer Hall of Fame in 1976. Son Ty played for the NASL’s San Diego Sockers and is a television announcer.
Arnie Mausser – Born 2/28/1954. Goalkeeper. Arguably the finest goalkeeper the U.S. ever produced up to this time. Arnie had a long career with 8 different NASL teams. He was a big man with a very unrthodox technique: A very effective distributor of the ball, he threw right handed but kicked left. He earned 35 shutouts during his ten years with the NASL, and his stellar performances earned him the starting goalkeeper position for the national team with which he earned 34 caps between 1975 and 1986. He was selected to the NASL first all-star team in 1976. Mausser also played with the Rhode Island Oceaneers of the ASL before joining the NASL in 1975. Also played 1 season with Buffalo Stallions of the MISL.
Brian McBride – Born June 19, 1972 in Illinois. Forward. Scored the lone US goal in World Cup 1998. Several key goals in World Cup 2002. Regular started and key goal scorer during Qualifying tournaments for World Cup 1998 and 2002. Co-leader for US scoring in 1999. 45 caps through 2000. A regular with the Nats since 1996. Was the first player drafted by Major League Soccer. In his seventh MLS season ans is regularly one of the top scorers. Spent time with Preston North End 2000-01 and Wolfsburg in 1995. Set St. Louis University records for goals, assists and points, and a two-time All-American. Finalist for Hermann and Missouri Athletic Club trophies. Is only now reaching the peak of his career.
Bartholomew “Bart” McGhee – Born Edinburgh Scotland, April 30, 1899; died January 26, 1979. Forward. Came to the United States at a young age. Bart played all three games for the US in the 1930 World Cup, scoring the first goal by an American in World Cup competition. After starring for the Philadelphia Hibernians shortly after World War I, Bart began his professional career with New York Football Club in the American Soccer League I, and then continuing his ASL career with Indiana Flooring, New York Nationals and New York Giants. Scored 137 goals in 350 games over 9 seasons in the league. His New York National team won the US Open Cup in 1928, and a year later won the Lewis Cup. While with the New York Giants in 1932, he won the ASL league championship series against the New England Whalers. Inducted into the US National Soccer Hall of Fame in 1986.
Jimmy Mills – Born in Dundee Scotland, July 1, 1894. Coach. Played with the Bathgate and Clydebank teams in Scotland before coming to the United States in 1922. He played in the American Soccer League for Philadelphia from 1924 to 1926. Retired as a player in 1935 but continued to manage the Fairhill club, later to became the famous Philadelphia Nationals. Under his guidance the Nationals won the American League championship in 1949, 1950, 1951 and 1953 and the Lewis Cup in 1949, 1951 and 1952. The team also reached the final of the national championship twice in 1949 and 1952 losing on both occasions. Later he managed another ASL club, New York Brookhattan. In 1956 he coached the U.S. Olympic team at the Olympic Games in Australia as well as on the South-East Asian tour which preceded the Games. Died in Sebring, Florida, August 8, 1990. Inducted into the US National Soccer Hall of Fame in 1954.
George Moorhouse – Born Lancashire, England May 4, 1901; died 1942. Defender. Captain of the 1934 World Cup team, Moorhouse also played in all three games of the 1930 Cup. Moorhouse also had a long and distinguished career in the American Soccer League I, mostly with the New York Giants. Scored 45 goals in 262 games over 8 seasons. His national career began in 1926 against Canada. After the demise of the original ASL, he played for the New York Americans of the ASL II, winning the US Open Cup in 1933 and 1937, captaining the latter team. Played for the ASL All-Stars against Scotland in 1935, and Charlton Athletic in 1937. Inducted into the US Soccer Hall of Fame in 1986.
Ed Murphy – Born Scotland, November 6, 1930. Forward. An outstanding forward with the U.S. national team from 1955 to 1969. During a time when the national team played rarely, he played in 16 full internationals, two Olympic qualifying games and ten games in the finals of the Pan American Games. He was a member of the bronze medal Pan American Games team of 1959 and scored a hat trick against Brazil in Chicago in a game the U.S. won 5-3. During the entire competition he scored eight goals in six games and in overall Pan Am play scored 11 goals in ten games. Murphy played in World Cup qualifying in 1957, 1962, 1966 and 1968 and also in an international against England in 1959 in Los Angeles scoring the only goal in an 8-1 loss. He played his club career in Chicago for the Maroons, Norwegian-Americans and in 1968 for the Mustangs of the North American Soccer League. Inducted into US Soccer Hall of Fame in 1998.
Bruce Murray – Midfielder. Bruce Murray was arguably the best US midfielder during the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. Murray was the all-time US leader in caps (89) and goals (21) before his records were broken by Balboa and Wynalda during the 1990s. His national team career covered 1985 through 1993, including ten world cup qualifiers in 1988 and 1989, and all three US games in the 1990 Cup finals in Italy. He also played in all US games as they won the 1991 Gold Cup (North American) championship and the 1992 USA Cup. He also played at the 1992 Intercontinental Cup and 1993 Copa America. Murray won the 1987 Hermann Trophy while at Clemson University, spent several seasons with the American Professional Soccer League’s Washington Stars and Maryland Bays as well as brief stints with Luzern, Switzerland and Millwall, England.
Ron Newman – Born in Farnham, England, January 19, 1936. Came to the United States in 1967 to play forward for the Atlanta Chiefs in the National Professional Soccer League. He stayed on to coach three NASL teams with great distinction and make a major contribution to the game. After spending the 1967 season with Atlanta, Newman was traded to the struggling Dallas Tornado part way through the 1968 North American Soccer League season. Upon his retirement coached the Tornado from 1969 to 1975, leading the club to the championship in 1971. During his years in Dallas he was responsible for a tremendous growth in the number of boys who took up soccer. After spending the 1976 season coaching the Los Angeles Skyhawks of the American Soccer League, he was back in the NASL in 1977 as coach of the Fort Lauderdale Strikers and built that club into one of the most powerful in the league. He joined his third NASL club in July 1980 when he became coach of the San Diego Sockers and made that club a contender for the championship until the NASL folded early in 1985. During his time in San Diego the team also became a power in the indoor game, and he continued to coach them through 1991, and was named MISL Coach of the Year in 1987-88.. When Major League Soccer started operating in 1996 he was appointed to coach the Kansas City Wizards and remained with them until early in the 1999 season. Inducted into the US National Soccer Hall of Fame in 1992.
Bertram Albert “Bert” Patenaude – Born Fall River, MA November 4, 1909; died November 4, 1974. Forward. Played all three games for the US in the 1930 World Cup, and the first World Cup player to score a hat trick. A highly prolific scorer who landed in 13th place in the American Soccer League’s all-time scoring leaders despite only playing four seasons with the circuit. Scored an incredible 118 goals in only 124 games for Fall River Marksmen, New York Yankees and other teams. His Fall River Marksmen won the US Open Cup in 1930 and 1931and Bart scored five goals in the first leg of the 1931 final against Chicago Bricklayers. With Philadelphia German-Americans, won the 1933 National Amateur Cup, scoring four goals in one game. Later played for many years in St. Louis amateur leagues, where he won the 1935 US Open Cup with Central Breweries and reached the finals in 1936 with Shamrocks. Inducted into the US Soccer Hall of Fame in 1971.
Hugo Perez – Position: Midfielder. A longtime midfielder for the US who was a key part of the US team’s renaissance in the years leading up to the 1994 World Cup. when the national team was reviving itself for the 1994 World Cup. Perez was known particularly for his deft ball skills and playmaking talent. Perez played for the national team for eleven years, from 1984 to 1994, earning 78 caps and scoring 16 goals. Was a fixture on the team for much of the mid 1980’s and sputs between 1989 and 1994. Played in the 1990 World Cup Qualifying tournament, through the early 1990s and culminating with a start against Brazil in the 1994 World Cup. He played in the final three seasons of the North American Soccer League, and several seasons indoors with the MISL, primarily with the San Diego Sockers. In the late 1980s and early 1990’s, he played in France, Saudi Arabia and Sweden. After the 1994 Cup, he finished his career with two seasons with FAS Santa Ana in El Salvador, retiring in 1996.
Eddie Pope – Born Greensboro, NC December 24, 1973. Defender. A stalwart in Major League Soccer since it’s beginning in 1996. MLS Defender of the Year in 1997. Drafted 2nd overall in 1996. With D. C. United’s MLS Cup winning teams in 1996, 1997 and 1999, scoring the winning goal in 1996. Named to four consecutive MLS all-star teams 1997-2000. With National Team, 35 caps through 2000. Started all three games of 1996 Olympics. Key player in 1998 and 2002 World Cup Qualifying competition. Very successful performance at 2002 World Cup. 1994 NCAA All-American with North Carolina.
Tab Ramos – Born September 21, 1966 in Montevideo, Uruguay. Midfielder. A key player in the 1990, 1994 and 1998 World Cups. Tab is perhaps best known for suffering a fractured skull after being hit by Leonardo of Brazil in 1994. Scored 8 goals in 81 games from 1988-2000. Assisted on the game winning goal against Colombia. Best years were 1990 and 1996; experienced frequent injuries but was devastating when healthy. Assisted on both goals in the victory over England in 1993. Member of the 1988 Olympic team and the 1989 World Indoor Championship at which the US won the bronze medal. Played for the US U-20’s in the 1983 World Youth Championships, and at the Pan-American games later that year. All-American with North Carolina State. Played in 1988-89 with the American Soccer League III, where he was an All-Star. Joined Figueres of Spain in 1990, where he was named one of the “top 100 players in the world” by World Soccer magazine. After a stint with Real Betis in 92-93, played for Tigres of Mexico in 1994-95. Was the first player signed to MLS in 1995, and has played six seasons with the MetroStars through 2001.
Claudio Reyna – Born Livingston, New Jersey July 20, 1973. Position: Midfielder. Probably the most successful American playing in Europe today. A key US National team player since 1994 with 78 caps through 2000. For years has been a catalyst in the midfield. Played every minute of 1998 World Cup and provided stellar performances in 2002 World Cup. Named to 1994 World Cup team but did not play. Played on USA Cup ’95 and Copa America ’95 teams, as well as 1992 Olympic Team and 1991 U-23 Pan-American Games team. Played many seasons in Europe, including with VfL Wolfsburg, Bayer Leverkusen and Glasgow Rangers. Ranked 25th best player in Bundesliga in 1998 by Kicker Magazine. Was first American to Captain a European team when he led Wilfsburg for summer of 1998. Played in German Cup 1998, and UEFA Cup 1999, where he was named “man of the match” in game against AS Parma.His Glasgow Rangers won Scottish Cup his first two seasons (1998-89, 99-2000). Led University of Virginia to NCAA titles in 1991, 92, 93. Won Missouri Athletic Club trophy in 1992 and 1993. Three time NSCAA All-American.
Bob Rigby – Born in Ridley Park, PA, July 3, 1951. Position: Goalkeeper. One of many successful American goalkeepers, the one position at which the USA did well in producing good players. Rigby was probably the best US goalkeeper ever produced up to that time. His twelve seasons in the NASL was one of the longest NASL careers ever, and he played 237 league games, more than any other American in this foreign dominated league. Rigby led the Philadelphia Atoms to the NASL championship in his first, year, 1973, when he enjoyed a league-leading 0.62 goals against average. During his NASL tenure, Rigby spent some time on the national team, earning 7 caps between 1973 and 1975, during a time when the team was active only intermittently. From that point on, he moved to several teams over his long career, including moving with the Philadelphia Fury up to Montreal, where he played 38 games in 1981. Rigby was named to two Second All-Star teams, and was an All-American at East Stroudsburg State College.
John Benevides “Clarkie” Souza – Born Fall River, MA, July 12, 1920. Forward. Member of the 1950 World Cup team and one of the best US players for that competition. Long time player for the amateur Ponta Delgada squad of Fall River, MA, he won the US Open Cup in 1947 and amateur cup titles in 1946, 10947, 1048 and 1950. Also won the Amateur cup with New York German-Hungarian in 1951. Member of the 1948 Olympic team, and played for the US in the North American Championship in 1947. Earned 12 caps for the national team at a time when full internationals were rare, and scored 3 goals. Inducted into the US Soccer Hall of Fame in 1976.
Archie Stark – Born: Glasgow, Scotland, December 21, 1897. Position: Forward. The most prolific goalscorer in American soccer history, Archie Stark ranks 43rd on the all time list of the worlds top first division goalscorers with his 300 goals. His career really took off and he gained national prominence when he was signed in 1924 by Bethlehem Steel as a center forward. In his first season with the famous Steel club he scored 67 goals in 44 league games, a world Division 1 single season record which stands to this day (Pele’s league wasn’t certified Div. 1 until 1969!). Between 1921 and 1932 he scored over 300 goals in games played in the American and Eastern professional soccer leagues, and ASL cup games, plus 29 more in U.S. Open Cup games. Won ASL championship in 1927, Eastern League championship in 1929, as well as the U.S. Open Cup in 1926. Two caps for US National Team. Turned down an invitation to the 1930 World Cup team, citing business reasons. Later went on tour to Europe as a guest player with Fall River. Finished his career in 1934 with the ASL2’s Kearney Scots. Inducted into US Soccer Hall of Fame in 1950. Died Kearney New Jersey on May 27, 1985.
Eric Wynalda – Born June 9, 1969 in Fullerton, CA. Forward. The all-time leading scorer in US history, with 34 goals in a career that spanned from 1990-2000. Wynalda played in World Cups 1990, 1994 and 1998. Scored the US tying goal against Switzerland in 1994. Received the first Red Card by a US player in 1990. Named to 1995 Copa America All-Star team, and won 1996 US Player of the Year Award and Honda Awards in 1993 and 1996. Named Futbul Primera’s Player of the Year in 1992. Played for San Diego State in college. Played four years in the American Professional Soccer League 1988-1992, winning league title in 1991 with the San Francisco Bay Blackhawks. First American-Born player in the Bundesliga, with Saarbrucken in 1992-93. Played for VfL Bochum in 1994-1995, and was a charter member of Major League Soccer. Scored the first goal in the MLS while with San Jose Clash. Other teams have included Miami Fusion and New England Revolution, and he is still active in MLS through 2001.