The United States women’s national soccer team is the most successful women’s team in the world, as they have dominated the FIFA Women’s World Cup and the Olympic women’s soccer event since women’s soccer became a competitive and compelling sport. In the six Olympic women’s tournaments, the USWNT has won four of them, and in the eight Women’s World Cup editions, they have also claimed four titles. Throughout its impressive history, world-class players have come and gone from the United States women’s national team. Such success has elevated these players to become some of the biggest names in women’s sports. There are many other legends in the history of American women’s soccer. Below are the 10 best US women’s soccer players of all time that bestsoccertips has compiled.
Top 10 best US women’s soccer players of all time
10. Julie Foudy
Foudy is one of the first USWNT players and played for the national team for 27 years, with 273 appearances during the era when women’s soccer was shaping globally. She didn’t miss a single match from the 1991, 1995, 1999, and 2003 World Cups or the 1996, 2000, or 2004 Olympics.
Foudy is renowned for her technical skills, vision, and tactical awareness, helping her control the midfield and create scoring opportunities for teammates. She is also a fierce competitor, never giving up and always fighting for her team until the final whistle. She served as the team captain from 2000 to 2004 and was co-captain from 1991 to 2000.
9. Joy Fawcett
Fawcett built an incredibly impressive soccer career, participating in a multitude of matches and accumulating a significant amount of playing time. With her presence in every Women’s World Cup from 1995 to 2003, she demonstrated stability and made significant contributions to the national team. Her impressive tally of 241 national team appearances, along with a total of 27 goals, is not only high among American defenders but also remarkable overall.
Beyond being an outstanding player on the field, Fawcett contributed to the development of women’s soccer by being one of the founding members of the WUSA (Women’s United Soccer Association) and was honored with induction into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2009. It’s a well-deserved recognition for her undeniable contributions to the development and success of American women’s soccer.
8. Hope Solo
Solo is not only one of the most controversial goalkeepers in women’s soccer history but also one of the most remarkable figures with her excellence. With a reputation established through a series of impressive achievements, Solo has proven to be an undeniable icon in the world of women’s soccer. Holding numerous records for the US national team, Solo has etched her name in history with a glorious World Cup triumph and two Olympic gold medals. Her brilliance is not only in her exceptional goalkeeping skills but also in her ability to score goals, especially during the USWNT’s 55-game unbeaten streak. Solo’s prominence was acknowledged when she was honored as the U.S. Soccer Female Athlete of the Year.
With 202 international appearances, Solo holds an undeniable record not only among female goalkeepers but also among all goalkeepers. Her impressiveness doesn’t stop there; with 102 clean sheets, Solo has also set a record that is difficult to surpass. This is just another testament to her excellence and class in the international women’s soccer scene.
7. Carli Lloyd
This midfielder has had a peak career with impressive achievements, winning two Olympic gold medals in 2008 and 2012, along with two FIFA Women’s World Cup championships in 2015 and 2019. Her excellence is not only demonstrated through winning two FIFA Best Player awards in 2015 and 2016 but also through other remarkable figures.
With a total of 134 goals in 316 appearances for the United States women’s national team, this midfielder has contributed significantly to the team’s success. Notably, she has medaled in every Women’s World Cup from 2007 to 2019, showcasing her long-term stability and influence in the world of women’s soccer.
6. Briana Scurry
Scurry has had an impressive career with the US national team from 1994 to 2008, making her name prominent in the world of soccer. During this time, she achieved a series of significant honors. She won a World Cup and three Olympic medals, demonstrating her stability and long-term influence in the premier tournament of women’s soccer. Additionally, Scurry played a crucial role in the team’s Olympic success with three gold and one silver medals.
Throughout her career, Scurry kept clean sheets in 71 matches, an impressive number showcasing her excellent goalkeeping abilities. Her success was recognized and highly regarded when she was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame on August 3, 2017. This made Scurry the first female goalkeeper and the first black woman to be bestowed with this honor, a significant milestone in the history of women’s soccer.
5. Kristine Lilly
With 23 years of dedication and outstanding commitment to the national team, Lilly has built an admirable career not only among fans but also in the history of women’s soccer. With 354 appearances for the national team, she set an undeniable record for both men and women. Additionally, with 130 goals and 106 assists, Lilly still ranks in the top 3 for goal-scoring records among any USWNT player, showcasing her undeniable influence and contributions to the history of American women’s soccer.
A two-time World Cup champion, she played in five different FIFA World Cup editions from 1991 to 2007. She captained the USWNT towards the end of her career before retiring. Known for her versatility, being able to play in various positions such as midfielder or forward, her longevity was also one of her great qualities, making her one of the most remarkable female soccer players in US history.
4. Abby Wambach
Few can score goals like Wambach, as she ended her international career with 184 goals. This figure not only surpasses any woman’s but also exceeds any man’s. Despite playing numerous matches, Wambach also averaged 0.72 goals per game. That’s an astonishing number.
Abby Wambach competed in a total of six international tournaments, including four FIFA Women’s World Cups and two Olympics. Wambach’s height and physique gave her an advantage in the air, and she was praised for her heading ability, often scoring from spectacular headers and occasionally from bicycle kicks.
3. Michelle Akers
Michelle Akers may have ended her career in 2000, but her name and contributions still live on in the history of women’s soccer. This is evident through her being awarded FIFA Women’s Player of the Century in 2002, a prestigious recognition for her achievements.
Michelle Akers was known for her physical style of play and relentless running on the field. She was a powerful, dynamic player with excellent ball control and technique. Her perseverance and determination made her a formidable opponent, and she was often praised for her goal-scoring ability in crucial moments. These are the qualities that made Michelle Akers a legend in women’s soccer.
2. Alex Morgan
Alex Morgan may be the youngest and freshest face on this list, but she has certainly paid her dues and even become a legend before retiring from soccer. She is considered one of the greatest female soccer players of all time in the United States due to her impressive qualities both on and off the field.
She is known for her speed, strength, and agility, which have helped her become one of the top goal scorers in soccer. Morgan also possesses excellent ball control skills, making her a formidable opponent for defenders. She is also known for her tactical awareness and game-reading abilities. She has an excellent ability to find space, allowing her to make quick decisions and capitalize on goal-scoring opportunities.
1. Mia Hamm
Mia Hamm is the second-highest international goal scorer after Abby Wambach and Canada’s Christine Sinclair; she ended her career with 158 international goals upon retiring in 2004. For many years, she was the face of women’s soccer in the country.
She appeared in five World Cup tournaments and was honored as the U.S. Female Player of the Year five years in a row. Pele also included her in his FIFA 100 list. Mia Hamm is widely regarded as one of the greatest female soccer players of all time, known for her superior athleticism, dynamic playing style, and striker’s technical ability.
Her speed, skill, footwork, and endurance on the field are incomparable, making her a steady and reliable player. With excellent dribbling skills and superior ball control, she was admired for her grace, speed, and elegance on the ball.
Conclusion
The journey of these exceptional athletes, from Abby Wambach’s record-breaking goal-scoring prowess to Mia Hamm’s trailblazing leadership, showcases the immense impact and legacy of women’s soccer in the United States and beyond. Their achievements not only redefine the standards of excellence in the sport but also serve as a source of inspiration for aspiring athletes worldwide. With each goal scored, each match played, these remarkable women have paved the way for future generations, leaving an enduring imprint on the beautiful game and inspiring millions to pursue their dreams relentlessly, both on and off the field.
