The United States men’s national team scored a total of 47 goals in the 2023 calendar year, and I’ve gone through all of them to find the top 10. It wasn’t easy picking the best USMNT goals of 2023, but the list has been made.
Several different factors can go into what makes a goal great including the circumstances/importance of the game. For this list the context and opponents don’t matter, we’re simply judging how nice of a goal it was.
The quality of the assist is also factored in.
Let’s watch some goals.
Top 10 best USMNT goals of 2023, ranked
10. Ricardo Pepi vs. Mexico
SERGINO DEST FINDS RICARDO PEPI.
Pepi makes an instant impact FOUR minutes off the bench. pic.twitter.com/fBsuGInWxB— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) June 16, 2023
Remember when we said that the assist is factored in? This goal is a prime example why. Pepi did well to round Guillermo Ochoa, but the real gem of this goal was the Sergiño Dest assist.
9. Cade Cowell vs. Trinidad and Tobago
The @USMNT nets another! @SJEarthquakes' Cade Cowell comes in and makes an instant impact for USA pic.twitter.com/62c8iiNqkd
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 3, 2023
The USMNT scored 16 of their 47 goals this year at the Concacaf Gold Cup. This clever bit of play from Cowell lands at No. 9 on the list. He pounces on a mistake and then embarrasses the goalkeeper and a defender.
8. Antonee Robinson vs. Trinidad and Tobago
ANTONEE ROBINSON WHAT A GOAL!!!
— USMNT Only (@usmntonly) November 17, 2023
There’s nothing like a quality strike from outside the box. Robinson may have received a little help from a deflection, but the goal still counts the same.
7. Tim Weah vs. Uzbekistan
Tim Weah gives USMNT the early lead
Watch USA vs. Uzbekistan on TNT pic.twitter.com/NmKIxbgeff— B/R Football (@brfootball) September 9, 2023
This goal was a two-for-one special as Weston McKennie masterfully controls the ball and then dumps it off to Weah who unleashes a rocket.
6. Brandon Vazquez vs. Canada
BRANDON VAZQUEZZZZZZZ pic.twitter.com/a1u2P77XVw
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 10, 2023
Here’s another example of the assist making this goal great. DeJuan Jones can take a bow because he put this ball on a dime for Vazquez to head home. What an assist.
5. Bryan Reynolds vs. Saint Kitts and Nevis
The #USMNT put THREE past St. Kitts & Nevis within four minutes.
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) June 29, 2023
How often do you see players blast a ball over the bar on the half volley? The ball bounces up to them and then they nail some poor soul in the 15th row. That wasn’t the case for Reynolds with this shot like an arrow into the bottom corner of the goal.
4. Folarin Balogun vs. Ghana
Folarin Balogun hit the spin cycle ️
Watch USA vs. Ghana live on TNT or Max pic.twitter.com/1gZnaA3Lse— B/R Football (@brfootball) October 18, 2023
Flo spins you right round baby right round… This goal is easy on the eye as Balogun couldn’t have looked any cooler while scoring it.
3. Jesús Ferreira vs. Panama
STOP THAT JESÚS
THAT WAS JUST DIRTY! pic.twitter.com/PoeDZLvKsF— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 13, 2023
Believe it or not, Ferreira scored more goals than any other USMNT player in 2023 as he found the back of the net eight times. His best of the lot was this equalizer vs. Panama as he volleyed Jordan Morris’ headed pass beautifully.
2. Ricardo Pepi vs. Trinidad and Tobago
EL TREN ROLLING THROUGH TEXAS pic.twitter.com/QbE8eSjUgD
— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) November 17, 2023
On first watch this goal doesn’t look like anything special. The replay and other angles show the true genius of Pepi on this play as he expertly uses the outside of his foot for the finish.
Saving the most important for last, it's the crucial opener vs. Trinidad & Tobago. When the US badly needed a goal, Pepi delivered via a magical flick—best enjoyed with this view from the stands. ✨pic.twitter.com/JEYEOWmSVn
— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) November 20, 2023
1. Christian Pulisic vs. Germany
Christian Pulisic with an absolute banger
Watch USA vs. Germany live on TNT or Max pic.twitter.com/G7t6KxLjFO— B/R Football (@brfootball) October 14, 2023
There was never any doubt about which goal was going to take home the gold medal. This spectacular Pulisic goal is undeniably his best in a U.S. shirt. His transfer to AC Milan has reignited his confidence and it was on full display with this strike.