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Here are the top 10 best U.S. soccer players that will compete at the 2022 World Cup

By David Moore November 14, 2022
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Let’s just hope no one is injured.
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If you’re a casual American soccer fan that watches the World Cup and the occasional game, then this article is here to help. You might only know a handful of players so here is the list of the 10 best US soccer players that should play at the 2022 World Cup.

ATTENTION: If you're looking for the list of the top 10 best US women soccer players for the 2023 World Cup, then click here.

If you’re a die-hard United States men’s national team (USMNT) fan, then you can critique this list all you want. 

Top 10 Best US Soccer Players To Watch For At 2022 World Cup

10. Antonee (Jedi) Robinson

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  • Position: Defender (left back)
  • Number: 5
  • Club Team: Fulham (England)
  • Age: 24

Antonee Robinson — who also goes by “Jedi” — is the best player at the left back position for the U.S. He played in 13 of the 14 World Cup qualifiers for the USMNT and is a vital part of the team. If he’s healthy expect him to start nearly every game for the U.S. 

9. Timothy Weah

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  • Position: Forward (right wing)
  • Number: 21
  • Club Team: Lille (France)
  • Age: 22

Tim Weah is the son of legendary Liberian forward George Weah, who is also the president of Liberia. Tim Weah struggled with his French club team Lille last season only scoring three goals in 34 games during the 2021-22 season. He’s played better with the U.S. and supplied one goal and an assist in World Cup qualifying.

8. Yunus Musah

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  • Position: Midfielder (central midfielder)
  • Number: 6
  • Club Team: Valencia (Spain)
  • Age: 20

One of the youngest players on this list, Yunus Musah has been an exciting addition to the team. Besides the U.S., Musah had the choice of playing for England, Ghana or Italy but ultimately decided on America. He featured in 10 of the 14 U.S. World Cup qualifiers and adds an exciting spark to the midfield.

7. Walker Zimmerman

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  • Position: Defender (center back)
  • Number: 3
  • Club Team: Nashville SC (MLS)
  • Age: 29

Walker Zimmerman is the best center back for the USMNT. He has been picked as the captain for two games and is one of the oldest players that features for the team. For two years in a row (2020 and 2021) Zimmerman has been named the Defender of the Year in MLS and is an anchor in defense for the USMNT.

6. Brenden Aaronson

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  • Position: Forward (left wing) and Midfielder (central midfielder)
  • Number: 11
  • Club Team: Leeds United (England)
  • Age: 21

Brenden Aaronson was one of the top goal scorers for the U.S. during the 2021 calendar year with four goals. He scored twice in the first qualifying window in Sept. 2021 and went through a bit of a scoring drought before finding the net again in June.

He’ll be a good bet to score at the World Cup. Aaronson recently completed one of the most expensive transfers of an American player. Premier League club Leeds United bought Aaronson from Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg for a reported $36.13 million.

5. Sergiño Dest

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  • Position: Defender (left back)
  • Number: 2
  • Club Team: AC Milan (Italy)
  • Age: 21

Starting out the top five is Sergiño Dest who is playing for AC Milan on loan from Barcelona. Dest dealt with multiple injuries during qualifying, so he only featured in six of the qualifying games. Dest at his best offers as much in defense as he does when he comes forward on offense. The dude only knows how to score bangers for the U.S.

4. Tyler Adams

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  • Position: Midfielder (defensive midfielder)
  • Number: 4
  • Club Team: Leeds United (England)
  • Age: 23

Tyler Adams doesn’t score or assist goals, but he does just about everything else. He only missed one game of World Cup qualifying and was the captain for half of the games. Adams is the heartbeat of the midfield. He’s there to string passes together, win possession back and keep things calm. Adams left RB Leipzig this summer and linked up with Aaronson at Leeds United.

3. Gio Reyna

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  • Position: Forward (right wing)
  • Number: 7
  • Club Team: Borussia Dortmund (Germany)
  • Age: 19

If it weren’t for a recurring hamstring injury, Gio Reyna could have been number one on this list. The son of USMNT legend Claudio Reyna, Gio is one of the most exciting American players to watch. We’ve only seen glimpses of his full potential and holy cow is he talented.

2. Christian Pulisic

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  • Position: Forward (left wing)
  • Number: 10
  • Club Team: Chelsea (England)
  • Age: 23

Christian Pulisic is by far the biggest name and most popular player for the U.S. He’s the only American male player to win the UEFA Champions League and is full of tricks and goals. If Pulisic is at his best for the U.S. at the World Cup, then he will be causing nightmares for opposing defenses. He scored five goals during World Cup qualifying including a hat trick against Panama in May.

The USMNT needs Pulisic to be sharp at the World Cup.

1. Weston McKennie

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  • Position: Midfielder (central midfielder)
  • Number: 8
  • Club Team: Juventus (Italy)
  • Age: 23

Weston McKennie is that guy. The American midfielder has abundant amounts of creativity in the midfield and has often been the best player on the field for the team. McKennie is also the deadliest player in the air for the USMNT. A broken foot saw McKennie miss the last several months of the 2021-22 season and he's also recovering from a thigh injury heading into the tournament. He's expected to play at the World Cup and he always seems to step up in the big momemt. McKennie can be the best US soccer player when the team needs him most.

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