Top 50 USMNT Players of 2026: USMNT Player Performance Index Returns

Overview of Current US Soccer Landscape

As we approach the World Cup, the stakes are incredibly high. Every injury in professional men’s soccer can have significant implications for player selections for the tournament. We are at a stage where even minor setbacks can lead to substantial concerns: Will a player regain full fitness by June? Will they be in their best form?

With the commencement of the pre-World Cup season, every occurrence in club football seems increasingly pertinent to the international arena.

• If a key player is benched, the question arises: Will they be out of form for the World Cup?
• If a player from a favored nation performs poorly, one may wonder: Will they be selected for the squad?
• If an unexpected talent shines, the dilemma becomes: How could you leave such a player behind?
• If several forwards from the same national team score multiple goals, inquiries emerge: Are they compatible on the field together?

These considerations apply equally to the U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT).

Evolving Landscape of USMNT Talent

The days of a few assured European players complemented by a mixed roster of MLS talent are long gone. The current squad features Americans flourishing in every major league and Champions League, alongside MLS players who are valid contenders thanks to the growing quality of the domestic league. The competition for starting positions and squad selection has intensified, leading to tough decisions about who will make the cut for the roster, resulting in several skilled players potentially missing out.

To gauge the performance of eligible American players, we present the latest edition of the USMNT Player Performance Index (PPI).

What is the USMNT PPI?

The PPI is derived from a straightforward formula that incorporates three key factors: player talent, minutes played, and team level.

• Talent: Determined by Transfermarkt’s market value estimates, offering a clear measure of a player’s worth.
• Playing Time: Reflects the percentage of available minutes each player has competed for their team in their domestic league.
• Team Quality: Based on Opta’s power rankings, which evaluate every professional team globally, providing a uniform means to assess the caliber of a player’s club.

The rankings operate on a basic premise: Active players contributing significant minutes on well-rated teams are likely delivering valuable performances.

As the season progresses, we adjust the weight of each factor in our calculations, with 4% assigned to Transfermarkt value, 18% to minutes played, and 78% to team quality for this edition. Given the MLS season has just begun, we used last season’s data for MLS players, excluding those who played less than 10% of minutes for their non-MLS clubs or above 60% for their teams last season.

Notable Absences

A few key players are notably absent from this ranking:

• Patrick Agyemang has shown promise with Derby County, but an early-season injury and a low team power rating hinder his inclusion.
• Alejandro Zendejas has been sidelined for half the minutes at Club América, which is struggling this year.
• Josh Sargent has been inactive since early January while transitioning to MLS.
• Players like Diego Luna and Matt Turner are missing from the list due to their teams’ poor performances last season.

Here’s the compiled list ranking American players by their current club performances:

Player Rankings

1. Chris Richards, Center Back, Crystal Palace

Richards stands as a testament to the quality of the Premier League. Crystal Palace, despite their recent challenges, are still recognized as a strong team globally, and he has played a pivotal role at center back. His consistent appearances have resulted in a significantly improved goal differential when he’s on the pitch.

2. Tyler Adams, Midfielder, AFC Bournemouth

Adams has been crucial for Bournemouth this season, participating in nearly all matches. Unfortunately, he injured himself right after the last PPI release and has been out since early December, which will affect his ranking going forward.

3. Weston McKennie, Midfielder/Forward, Juventus

Having turned his career around from a tough season at Leeds United, McKennie is portrayed positively by his current coach, who values his all-around capabilities. He is expected to play a significant role for the USMNT as he continues to thrive under Juventus’s new management.

4. Christian Pulisic, Winger, AC Milan

Despite a lack of goal contributions recently, Pulisic remains a notable name in Serie A based on his minute-to-goal ratio. His reduced playing time has influenced his placement in this ranking.

5. Sergiño Dest, Fullback, PSV

Dest has made a strong comeback since missing the Copa América, establishing himself once more as a key player at PSV, enhancing his reputation in the Dutch league.

6. Malik Tillman, Attacking Midfielder, Bayer Leverkusen

Despite recent manager changes at his club, Tillman has held his position as a reliable starter, affirming his potential as a strong performer in Germany.

7. Tanner Tessmann, Midfielder, Olympique Lyonnais

His ability to excel in both ball distribution and retrieval has made him a standout for Lyon, positioning him well for a future move to a more prominent league.

8. Johnny Cardoso, Midfielder, Atlético Madrid

Cardoso is back on the field demonstrating his abilities and positioning himself for consideration in the USMNT roster, despite the depth of competition in midfield.

9. Ricardo Pepi, Forward, PSV

After sustaining a significant injury, Pepi’s future move is still up for debate. Despite this setback, he should consider challenging himself at a higher level for career progression.

10. Brenden Aaronson, Attacking Midfielder, Leeds United

Aaronson has improved in his second season in the Premier League, stepping up his contributions significantly.

This format continues through the remaining rankings, illustrating the performances of various USMNT players in their respective leagues and clubs as they prepare for the World Cup. As the tournament nears, these performances will dictate selections and strategies for the U.S. national team.