Ranking the Top 10 USA Men’s Soccer Players in the 2025 Gold Cup

10-Jack McGlynn

Midfielder: Central midfield | Club: Houston Dynamo

🇺🇸 U.S. Men's National Team (USMNT)
-Caps: 4 | Goals: 1
-Gold Cup Experience: None
-Made his senior debut in 2023 after rising through the Philadelphia Union academy.
-Traded to Houston in 2024 and continues to develop as a creative midfield option.

⚽ Playing Style
-Left-footed playmaker with elite passing range and composure on the ball.
-Specializes in set pieces and long diagonal switches to break open defenses.
-Prefers a deeper-lying role where he can dictate tempo and control possession.

2-Malik Tillman

Midfielder: Central midfield | Club: PSV Eindhoven/NED

🇺🇸 U.S. Men's National Team (USMNT)
-Caps: 17 | Goals: 0
-Gold Cup Experience: None
-Eligible for the U.S. through his father, debuted for the senior team in 2022.
-Former German youth international who switched allegiance to the USMNT.

⚽ Playing Style
-Creative midfielder with attacking instincts and strong technical ability.
-Often operates as a No. 8 or No. 10, linking midfield and attack.
-Known for vision, off-ball movement, and flair in tight spaces.

3-Johnny Cardoso

Midfielder: Defensive midfield | Club: Real Betis/ESP

🇺🇸 U.S. Men's National Team (USMNT)
-Caps: 18 | Goals: 0
-Gold Cup Experience: None
-Made his senior debut in 2020 after representing the U.S. at youth levels.
-Born in New Jersey, raised in Brazil, and developed through Internacional’s academy.

⚽ Playing Style
-Composed holding midfielder with strong positional awareness.
-Excellent short passer who helps dictate tempo and maintain structure.
-Valued for his discipline, ball retention, and defensive cover in transition.

4-Chris Richards

Defender: Center back | Club: Crystal Palace/ENG

🇺🇸 U.S. Men's National Team (USMNT)
-Caps: 20 | Goals: 1
-Gold Cup Experience: None
-Made his senior debut in 2020 after progressing through the FC Dallas academy and Bayern Munich system.
-Has become a regular starter for the USMNT and a key defender in Premier League play.

⚽ Playing Style
-Athletic, ball-playing center back with excellent aerial ability.
-Comfortable in high defensive lines and adept at breaking lines with passes.
-Valued for composure under pressure, recovery speed, and physicality in duels.

5-Haji Wright

Forward: Center forward | Club: Coventry City/ENG

🇺🇸 U.S. Men's National Team (USMNT)
-Caps: 15 | Goals: 4
-Gold Cup Experience: None
-Scored in his World Cup debut against the Netherlands in 2022.
-Joined Coventry City after a breakout season in Turkey with Antalyaspor.

⚽ Playing Style
-Direct, physical striker with pace and strong finishing instincts.
-Threatens defenses with off-the-shoulder runs and breakaway speed.
-Can play as a lone striker or in a two-forward setup, offering versatility.

6-Diego Luna

Midfielder: Central midfield | Club: Real Salt Lake

🇺🇸 U.S. Men's National Team (USMNT)
-Caps: 4 | Goals: 0
-Gold Cup Experience: None
-Made his senior debut in 2023 after standout performances with the U-20s.
-Rising star in MLS known for creativity and attacking flair.

⚽ Playing Style
-Inventive playmaker with excellent dribbling and vision in tight spaces.
-Excels at breaking lines with passes and creating scoring chances.
-Confident on the ball, often plays between the lines as an advanced No. 8 or No. 10.

7-Mark McKenzie

Defender: Center back | Club: Toulouse/FRA

🇺🇸 U.S. Men's National Team (USMNT)
-Caps: 19 | Goals: 0
-Gold Cup Experience: None
-Made his senior debut in 2020 after emerging with the Philadelphia Union.
-Previously played for Genk in Belgium before joining Toulouse in Ligue 1.

⚽ Playing Style
-Strong, composed center back with good distribution from the back.
-Reads the game well and is effective in both zonal and man-marking setups.
-Comfortable on the ball, with ability to step into midfield and start attacks.

8-Brenden Aaronson

Midfielder: Central midfield | Club: Leeds United/ENG

🇺🇸 U.S. Men's National Team (USMNT)
-Caps: 47 | Goals: 8
-Gold Cup Experience: None
-Made his senior debut in 2020 and quickly became a regular contributor.
-Played in the 2022 World Cup and spent 2023–24 on loan with Union Berlin.

⚽ Playing Style
-High-energy midfielder known for relentless pressing and off-ball movement.
-Effective in transition with quick touches and incisive passing.
-Can operate as a winger or advanced No. 8, creating chances with tempo and urgency.

9-Matt Turner

Goalkeeper | Club: Crystal Palace/ENG

🇺🇸 U.S. Men's National Team (USMNT)
-Caps: 51 | Goals: 0
-Gold Cup Experience: 10 caps; 2021, 2023 Gold Cups
-Became the USMNT’s No. 1 keeper during World Cup qualifying.
-Started every match for the U.S. at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
-Previously played for Arsenal and Nottingham Forest before joining Crystal Palace.

⚽ Playing Style
-Excellent shot-stopper with strong reflexes and penalty-saving instincts.
-Calm under pressure and effective at organizing the back line.

10-Jack McGlynn

Midfielder: Central midfield | Club: Houston Dynamo

🇺🇸 U.S. Men's National Team (USMNT)
-Caps: 4 | Goals: 1
-Gold Cup Experience: None
-Made his senior debut in 2023 after rising through the Philadelphia Union academy.
-Traded to Houston in 2024 and continues to develop as a creative midfield option.

⚽ Playing Style
-Left-footed playmaker with elite passing range and composure on the ball.
-Specializes in set pieces and long diagonal switches to break open defenses.
-Prefers a deeper-lying role where he can dictate tempo and control possession.