The top 10 USMNT players pool continues to evolve under Mauricio Pochettino’s management, creating both excitement and uncertainty about the 2026 World Cup roster. With only a handful of guaranteed spots seemingly locked in, determining the strongest American players has become more crucial than ever.
Using the comprehensive USMNT Player to watch in the Performance Index for the 2025-26 season, we can identify which Americans are truly excelling at the club level based on three key factors: playing time, team quality, and market valuation.
This data-driven approach provides the clearest picture of which players are not just talented on paper but actively contributing to top-level European and the most Exciting league in the US, MLS. The performance of the best United States soccer players on this list not only reflects their current club rankings or games but also has the potential to be a game-changer for the FIFA World Cup 2026.
From Christian Pulisic’s continued brilliance at AC Milan to emerging talents making their mark across various leagues, here are the top 10 USMNT players currently performing at the highest level for their respective clubs.
List of the Top 10 United States Men’s Players by Club Form
- Christian Pulisic – Right Winger, AC Milan
- Antonee Robinson – Left Back, Fulham
- Malik Tillman – Attacking Midfielder, Bayer Leverkusen
- Johnny Cardoso – Central Midfielder, Atletico Madrid
- Weston McKennie – Central Midfielder, Juventus
- Yunus Musah – Central Midfielder, Atalanta
- Tyler Adams – Defensive Midfielder, AFC Bournemouth
- Folarin Balogun – Forward, Monaco
- Sergiño Dest – Right Back, PSV
- Timothy Weah – Winger, Olympique Marseille
Top 10 USMNT Players by Club Form (2025-26)
Here are the top 10 USMNT Players by Club Form
1. Christian Pulisic – Right Winger, AC Milan
Pulisic continues his stellar form at AC Milan, having scored 17 goals in the 2024-25 season – more than his three years at Chelsea combined.
He’s established himself as Milan’s top scorer and penalty taker, with his confidence and freedom under Allegri’s system making him the undisputed No. 1 USMNT player.
Already scoring in the 2025-26 Coppa Italia opener against Bari, he remains AC Milan’s most dangerous attacking threat.
2. Antonee Robinson – Left Back, Fulham
Robinson was arguably the Premier League’s best left back in 2024-25, earning Fulham’s Player of the Season award with 10 assists across all competitions. However, he’s currently recovering from offseason knee surgery and has played only limited minutes this season, with his absence directly correlating to Fulham’s struggles. His injury timeline remains uncertain, but when fit, he provides unmatched pace and attacking output from the left-back position.
3. Malik Tillman – Attacking Midfielder, Bayer Leverkusen
Tillman made a €35 million move to Bayer Leverkusen from PSV, becoming the second-most expensive USMNT transfer in history and Leverkusen’s record signing. He scored 16 goals and added 5 assists for PSV last season, helping them win the Eredivisie title. Already scoring on his Leverkusen debut, he’s been handed the prestigious No. 10 jersey and is expected to be a key creative force.
4. Johnny Cardoso – Central Midfielder, Atletico Madrid
Cardoso has established himself as a reliable presence in Atletico Madrid’s midfield under Diego Simeone, playing the ninth-most minutes for the club. While he may not excel in any single area, his consistency and tactical discipline make him an average La Liga midfielder who doesn’t hurt the team – a valuable trait at Atletico’s level.
5. Weston McKennie – Central Midfielder, Juventus
McKennie faces another familiar situation at Juventus, having played only three minutes across the first two Serie A matches of 2025-26. However, history suggests he’ll eventually force his way into the team as coaches realize his value. Since joining Juventus in 2020, he’s consistently played over 1,300 Serie A minutes per season except during their seventh-place finish in 2022-23.
6. Yunus Musah – Central Midfielder, Atalanta
Musah made a surprising move from AC Milan to Atalanta on loan just two days after playing 90 minutes for Milan. The versatile midfielder is seeking more consistent playing time and creative freedom at his new club, having established himself as a key USMNT player despite club-level uncertainties.
7. Tyler Adams – Defensive Midfielder, AFC Bournemouth
Adams continues to be one of the few defensive survivors from Bournemouth’s near-Champions League qualification squad, with his loose-ball skills helping the team embrace their chaotic style. While almost irrelevant on the ball under Andoni Iraola, his defensive work rate and experience remain valuable as Bournemouth has started strongly with two wins from three Premier League matches.
8. Folarin Balogun – Forward, Monaco
Balogun appears to have secured his starting position at Monaco, with manager Adi Hütter comfortable starting him alongside Mika Biereth. He’s played almost every minute of Monaco’s recent matches, attempted five shots, and scored one goal. Consistent performances from here should secure his spot for the 2026 World Cup.
9. Sergiño Dest – Right Back, PSV
Dest has been PSV’s most progressive player through four matches, completing more progressive passes and carries than any teammate. His attacking output from the right-back position is unmatched in the current USMNT pool, especially for a team of PSV’s quality. While defensive weaknesses persist, his possession-based contributions make him unique among American defenders.
10. Timothy Weah – Winger, Olympique Marseille
Weah’s loan to Marseille has achieved the goal of securing starter’s minutes, playing two-thirds of available time since moving to France. However, questions remain about his positioning and effectiveness on the wing, as his heat map suggests he’s not providing the wide threat expected from a starting left winger, less than a year before the World Cup.