Top 20 2005 U.S. Players

July 2026

The list

1. RB, Frankie Westfield, Philadelphia Union
He is developing into one of the best right-backs in MLS. If he continues on this path, he'll start getting interest from top clubs in Europe and will compete to be Alex Freeman's back-up RB on the USMNT.

2. DM, Brooklyn Raines, New England Revolution
Raines has become an abover average defensive-midfielder in MLS. He'll need to continue to develop to get a significant move to Europe and do well there to be consider for the USMNT. I think he could get to that level.

3. CM, Benjamin Cremaschi, Parma
Cremaschi has officially moved full time to Seria A club, Parma. He never became a consistent starter in MLS and was just starting to breakthrough with Parma last year before getting injured. If he can become an important player for Parma, he'll likely get a chance to become an important USMNT midfielder.

4. AM, Niko Tsakiris, San Jose Earthquakes
Tsakiris has shown that he can be a highly impactful playmaker in MLS and looks like he has the talent to do that at an even higher level, but he has never been able to stay healthy for an entire season. He'll need to change that for anything more meaningful to happen in his career.

5. LB, Nolan Norris, FC Dallas
Norris is subtly becoming a high quality LB in MLS. If he can become a top level LB in MLS at a relatively young age, he'll likely get a chance at a higher level in Europe which could enable him an opportunity to be a depth LB player for the USMNT.

6. LB, Tate Johnson, Vancouver Whitecaps
Johnson has become a solid starting level LB in MLS at a relatively young age. I am not sure he has the potential to be a super high level LB in MLS, but I could be wrong, and if I am he could have the same potential as Norris.  

7. CB, Ethan Kohler, New England Revolution
Kohler has been a replacement level starting CB in MLS this year. He'll need become a top MLS CB to get an opportunity with the USMNT.  

8. LB, Marcus McCoy, Odense Boldklub
McCoy became a starter in the Danish first tier last year. He will need to build on that and become a top left-back in Denmark in order to get a move to a higher level. If he does that, he could become a potential left-back option for the USMNT.

9. DM, Jacob Bartlett, Sporting Kansas City
Barlette was a full-time starter for most of last season, but has lost that role this year. He looks like a player that will have a solid MLS career.

10. CM, Sergio Oregel Jr, Chicago Fire
Oregel was a full-time starter for Chicago most of last year, but was replacement level and now he a very minimal role.

11. RB, Reed Baker-Whiting, Nashville SC
Baker-Whiting has yet to breakthrough as a full-time starter in MLS, but has shown flashes of potential over the last several years.

12. CB, Noah Cobb, Colorado Rapids
Cobb has had stints where he has started in MLS, but has never fully won a job.

13. CB, Josh Wynder, Benfica
Wynder was a high performer in USL Championship at a young age, earning a move to Portuguese giants, Benfica. He had one really good season for their B team, but since then has been injured a lot and has not broken through to the first team.

14. W, Kristian Fletcher, FC Cincinnati
Fletcher has never become a consistent starter in MLS and has had some serious injuries.

15. W, Luke Brennan, Atlanta United
Brennas has played here and there for Atlanta United, but has not yet established himself as a key contributor.

16. GK, Gavin Beavers, Brondby
Beavers has never been a full-time starting keeper on a first team yet in his career.  

17. RB, Zakaria Taifi, Orlando City
Taifi got a chance to play a little early in the season and looked decent. He looks like a player that could be a MLS starter in the future.

18. CM, Noel Buck, San Jose Earthquakes
At one point Buck looked like a future USMNT level player, but his career has taken a nose dive and now he struggles to get on the field.

19. CM, Miguel Perez, St. Louis City
Perez has yet to become a regular player for SLC, but could grow into a decent MLS player in time.  

20. CF, Marcos Zambrano, New England Revolution
Zambrano is starting to breakthrough a little bit with the Revs and could become a solid rotational striker for them.