10 of the Best U.S. Soccer Players in Europe Right Now

Ahead of the World Cup, taking place across November and December in Qatar, confidence is quietly growing amongst American soccer fans on just how far this USA team can go.

Despite this year’s World Cup being the USA men’s team’s 11th World Cup, soccer is not a sport that most people – particularly over in Europe – associate with the USA.

In fact, the USA has never enjoyed a brighter pool of talent than right now, with soccer stars playing across Europe’s top leagues and the Champions League.

Betting.com has shared the names of ten American soccer heroes currently playing in Europe who are expected to stand out for the Stars and Stripes at the World Cup in Qatar.

1) Christian Pulisic // Chelsea

Anyone who knows soccer in the US knows the name Christian Pulisic. The 24-year-old has been the face of the USMNT for several years and has already made 54 appearances and scored 21 goals at the international level.

Approaching the World Cup, both USA’s opponents, England and Wales, will be very familiar with Pulisic’s abilities given that he has played in the Premier League with Chelsea since 2019.

2) Weston McKennie // Juventus

A rock at center midfield for the USMNT, Weston McKennie grows more into the mold of an elite-level soccer player with each passing season.

A regular starter for Italy’s Juventus since 2020, McKennie is more than familiar with facing off against Europe’s best in both Serie A and the Champions League.

3) Tyler Adams // Leeds United

Joining McKennie in center midfield is Tyler Adams, who, after dominating Germany’s Bundesliga and the Champions League with RB Leipzig, recently made the switch to Leeds United in the Premier League.

At Leeds, Adams has joined up with his old Leipzig coach and American citizen Jesse Marsch, who is quietly growing a mini-American revolution in the Premier League.

4) Brenden Aaronson // Leeds United

Also linking up with Adams and Marsch at Leeds United in the Premier League is attacking midfielder Brendan Aaronson.

The 21-year-old from New Jersey has already made 24 appearances for the US, scoring 6 goals. Aaronson has taken to the Premier League with ease so far in his debut season, scoring one goal already in just nine games.

5) Sergiño Dest // AC Milan (on loan from Barcelona)

Wing-back Dest broke into Barcelona’s world-famous team when he was still a teenager after transferring from Dutch giants Ajax Amsterdam.

Dest’s European adventure has continued this season with a loan move to AC Milan in Italy, where he continues to play regular Champions League soccer.

6) Cameron Carter-Vickers // Celtic

After being on the periphery of Tottenham Hotspur’s team his whole career, after taking seven loan moves, Cameron Carter-Vickers’ soccer career has finally hit its stride with Celtic in Scotland.

Now a regular starter in the Champions League for the reigning Scottish champions, Carter-Vickers will be looking to cement his place in Gregg Berhalter’s plans ahead of the World Cup.

7) Timothy Weah // Lille

Few soccer players, let alone USMNT players have quite as interesting a history as Timothy Weah. As the son of former Ballon d’Or winner and current president of the nation of Liberia, George Weah, Timothy Weah was always destined for the very top.

After breaking through the ranks in France with Paris St Germain, Weah switched to French rivals Lille, whom he helped to become the surprise Ligue 1 champions in 2021, and has continued to get regular Champions League action with Lille since.

8) Jordan Pefok // Union Berlin

The latest USA striker to throw his name into the mix ahead of the World Cup is Jordan Pefok, who has been pivotal in leading Germany’s Union Berlin to a surprise lead in the Bundesliga.

The striker has been receiving plenty of praise, particularly from Fox TV soccer analyst and former USMNT player Stuart Holden, who is calling for Pefok to be selected for the roster in Qatar.

9) Tim Ream // Fulham

Another player that Fox TV soccer analyst Stuart Holden has been calling to be included in the USMNT roster for Qatar is his former Bolton Wanderers team-mate, 35-year-old Tim Ream.

Despite falling out of favor with Gregg Berhalter’s team in recent years, Ream’s career has had a resurgence for Fulham in the Premier League and is surely worth considering ahead of the World Cup.

10) Antonee Robinson // Fulham

Also getting regular game time in the Premier League with Fulham is wing-back Antonee Robinson. Like Ream, Robinson had previously played for Bolton Wanderers before joining Fulham.

Often returned to as ‘Jedi,’ Robinson has been a regular feature for the USMNT since making his international debut in 2018 and has made 29 appearances to date.