Here are the best all-time players who played club soccer in the USA and moved on to top European teams.
Christian Pulisic
Christian Pulisic is an attacking midfielder who began his professional career with Borussia Dortmund in Germany’s Bundesliga. Prior to moving to Europe, he played for the PA Classics in Pennsylvania and the Michigan Rush in Michigan.
Pulisic joined Borussia Dortmund’s academy in 2015 and made his professional debut later that year. He quickly established himself as one of the team’s most promising young players and was eventually sold to Chelsea in the English Premier League for a fee of €64 million.
Weston McKennie
Weston McKennie is a midfielder who began his professional career with FC Dallas in MLS. Prior to joining FC Dallas, he played for the FC Dallas Academy and the Germania SC youth club in Texas.
In 2016, McKennie signed with Schalke 04 in the Bundesliga. He quickly established himself as a key player for the team and was eventually sold to Juventus in Serie A, one of the world’s top leagues.
Gio Reyna
Gio Reyna is an attacking midfielder who began his professional career with Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga. Prior to moving to Europe, he played for the New York City FC academy and the NYCFC affiliate club, Manhattan Soccer Club.
Reyna joined Borussia Dortmund’s academy in 2019 and made his professional debut later that year. He has since become a regular starter for the team and has been praised for his technical ability and creativity on the ball.
Tim Ream
Tim Ream is a defender who began his professional career with the New York Red Bulls in MLS. Prior to joining the Red Bulls, he played for the Saint Louis University Billikens in college.
In 2012, Ream signed with Bolton Wanderers in the English Premier League. He has since played for several other teams in England, including Fulham and Queens Park Rangers.
Brad Friedel
Brad Friedel is a retired goalkeeper who began his professional career with the Columbus Crew in MLS. Prior to joining the Crew, he played for the UCLA Bruins in college.
In 1997, Friedel signed with Liverpool in the English Premier League. He went on to have a successful career in England, playing for several other teams in the league, including Blackburn Rovers and Aston Villa. Friedel also played for the US Men’s National Team, making 82 appearances and serving as the team’s starting goalkeeper in two World Cups.
Josh Sargent
Josh Sargent is a forward who began his professional career with Werder Bremen in the German Bundesliga. Prior to moving to Europe, he played for the St. Louis Scott Gallagher Soccer Club and the St. Louis Scott Gallagher Academy.
Sargent joined Werder Bremen’s academy in 2017 and made his professional debut later that year. He has since become a regular starter for the team and has been praised for his ability to score goals and create opportunities for his teammates.
Bobby Wood
Bobby Wood is a forward who began his professional career with 1860 Munich II in the German Regionalliga. Prior to joining 1860 Munich, he played for the Irvine Strikers in California.
In 2015, Wood signed with Union Berlin in the 2. Bundesliga. He quickly established himself as a key player for the team and was eventually sold to Hamburg in the Bundesliga, where he played for several seasons before returning to the US to play for Real Salt Lake.
Tyler Adams
Tyler Adams is a midfielder who began his professional career with the New York Red Bulls in MLS. Prior to joining the Red Bulls, he played for the New York Red Bulls Academy and the New York Red Bulls II in the USL.
In 2019, Adams signed with RB Leipzig in the German Bundesliga. He has since become a regular starter for the team and has been praised for his versatility and ability to play multiple positions on the field.
Oguchi Onyewu
Oguchi Onyewu is a retired defender who began his professional career with the Metros-Croatia in the USL. Prior to joining Metros-Croatia, he played for the Clemson Tigers in college.
In 2002, Onyewu signed with Metz in Ligue 1 in France. He went on to play for several other teams in Europe, including Standard Liege in the Belgian Jupiler Pro League, AC Milan in Italy, and Sporting CP in Portugal.
Antonee Robinson
Antonee Robinson is a defender who began his professional career with the Everton academy in England. Prior to joining Everton, he played for the Milton Youth Soccer Club in Milton, Massachusetts.
Robinson signed with Wigan Athletic in the English Championship in 2018. He quickly established himself as a key player for the team and was eventually sold to Fulham in the English Premier League, where he currently plays.
