USMNT Player Performance Index: Ranking the Top 50 Players in Club Form

Introduction

The U.S. men’s national soccer team (USMNT) appears to be experiencing a resurgence. Following earlier disappointments in the Nations League and Gold Cup, the tensions that once existed between key players and the coaching staff have subsided. Currently, the team is unbeaten in its last five matches against World Cup-ready opponents, achieving a 12-4 goal differential. Under new strategies, which incorporate a flexible defensive setup reminiscent of Mauricio Pochettino’s tactics at Chelsea, there is a notable improvement in both performance and outcomes for the World Cup co-hosts.

Understanding the USMNT Player Performance Index

For those unfamiliar with the concept, the USMNT Player Performance Index (PPI) aims to evaluate the club performance of American soccer players globally. The approach to creating these rankings involves assessing a combination of player talent, the amount of playing time, and the overall quality of the teams they represent. Although ranking players isn’t an exact science, this method serves as a practical tool.

Methodology:

• Talent Assessment: This is determined by Transfermarkt’s market value estimates for each player, providing a baseline for player evaluation.

• Playing Time: We consider the percentage of available match minutes that each player has participated in within their respective domestic leagues.

• Team Quality: Utilizing Opta’s team power rankings, we gauge the strength of the clubs each player belongs to, offering a standardized way to assess talent levels across various leagues.

These rankings hinge on the premise that players contributing significantly in minutes to highly rated teams are likely to provide valuable performance on the field. In this index, market value counts for 15%, playing time for 20%, and team quality for 65%. A minimum participation threshold means that players like Cole Campbell and Antonee Robinson, who played limited minutes, are not included.

Notable Exclusions

Some players, such as Josh Sargent (Norwich City), Alex Freeman (Orlando City), and Diego Luna (Real Salt Lake), did not feature in the top 50. Although Luna has excelled with the national team, his club performance didn’t warrant inclusion in this edition. Freeman is a standout fullback in MLS but missed the cut, while Sargent’s team struggles also affected his ranking.

Player Rankings

Here are the top 50 players according to the latest USMNT PPI:

1. Chris Richards, Center Back, Crystal Palace

Richards is a key player for Crystal Palace, a team currently ranked 12th globally by Opta. His consistent full 90-minute contributions make him the best-performing American at the club level.

2. Malik Tillman, Attacking Midfielder, Bayer Leverkusen

Tillman has established himself as a first-choice player for Bayer Leverkusen, battling top teams in Bundesliga, despite not yet making an impact on the stats sheet.

3. Christian Pulisic, Right Winger, AC Milan

Despite being below the minute threshold for some rankings, Pulisic’s recent performance has him averaging an impressive 1.82 goal contributions per 90 minutes.

4. Tyler Adams, Defensive Midfielder, AFC Bournemouth

Adams has played nearly the entirety of his team’s matches this season. His fitness is a double-edged sword; great for the squad performance, but a source of concern for potential injuries.

5. Sergiño Dest, Right Back, PSV

Dest has excelled with his passing and dribbling, contributing to PSV’s strong performance base against formidable competition.

6. Johnny Cardoso, Central Midfielder, Atletico Madrid

Cardoso had a promising start but has significantly reduced playing time with Atletico Madrid amidst team struggles.

7. Weston McKennie, Central Midfielder, Juventus

After initially being sidelined, McKennie has reclaimed a vital role in Juventus, showcasing versatility that spans various contributions on the pitch.

8. Timothy Weah, Winger, Olympique Marseille

Weah is earning more minutes than at Juventus, though in a less familiar wingback role amidst Marseille’s competitory ambitions.

9. Ricardo Pepi, Forward, PSV

While Pepi’s early-season stats have slowed, he is having a more consistent impact, tallying meaningful minutes on the pitch.

10. Tanner Tessmann, Defensive Midfielder, Olympique Lyonnais

Tessmann proves to be a steady performer in Ligue 1, positioning himself as a candidate for the USMNT’s midfield next summer.

11. Yunus Musah, Central Midfielder, Atalanta

Musah’s season has been challenging, garnering limited minutes and facing decreased opportunities at his new club.

12. Folarin Balogun, Forward, Monaco

Balogun has been performing well lately, finding the net consistently during intercontinental play.

Player Rankings 13-50

The successive rankings continue to highlight players who contribute to their clubs, including Brenden Aaronson, Mark McKenzie, Haji Wright, and others, each carving out their roles and potential paths to the national squad for future competitions.

Conclusion

The current USMNT roster boasts promising talent, providing a more extensive selection than in prior years. As players continue to develop within their clubs, their contributions will shape the national team’s prospects as they head into next summer’s World Cup. The evolving landscape of American soccer suggests an exciting future for its players on the global stage.