Best US Women's Soccer Players of All Time

The US national women’s soccer team is the most successful team in the game. Their accomplishments are proof of that. The women’s team has won four out of eight World Cups and four gold medals in the Olympics. They are the most dominating force in the game.

The US national soccer team was formed in 1985. In the last four decades, the team has done many wonders.

A team’s success relies on individual performance and how well each player combines their talent. The US has given the football world some of its finest female players who combined their skills to become an unstoppable force.

 Here we have listed down the best US women’s soccer players of all time.

Best US Women’s Soccer Players of All Time

Every woman who represented the US is a great player in her own right. However, here we will mention the names whose contributions and impact were much bigger.

1. Mia Hamm

Full NameMariel Margaret Hamm-Garciaparra
Date of BirthMarch 17, 1972
Birth’s PlaceSelma, Alabama, US
Current Age50 years
OccupationAmerican retired professional soccer player
ResidenceSelma
Net Worth$40 Million
Height5 ft 4 in (1.65 m)
Weight165 lbs approx
EthnicityWhite
Eye ColorDark Brown
GenderFemale

Mia Hamm has been the biggest inspiration for women all around the world who want to play Soccer. She was the face of Soccer for several years.

She was named the FIFA Player of the Year on two occasions. She had her debut in 1987 and played till 2004 for the country. During this time, she scored 168 goals and 145 assists.

She was the key player of two world cup winning teams in 1991 and 1999. She had been a consistent performer in all the major tournaments she played for the United States.

TournamentGoalsAssistUSA Position
World Cup 199121Champion
World Cup 1995213rd
World Cup 199922Champion
World Cup 2003213rd
Olympic 199610Champion
Olympic 200020Runner-up
Olympic 200421Champion

With so much contribution, she stands at the no.1 position in our best US women’s soccer players of all time list. outMia Himm was inducted into the Hall of Fame Class in 2007.

2. Michelle Akers

Full NameMichelle Anne Akers
Date of BirthFebruary 1, 1966
Birth’s PlaceSanta Clara, California, US
Current Age56
OccupationSoccer player
ResidenceSanta Clara
Net Worth$12 million
Height1.77 m
Weight68 kg (150 lb)
EthnicityCaucasian
Eye ColorGrey
GenderFemale

Before Mia Himm, Michelle Akers was the first megastar of USWNT. Her performance in the 1991 world cup was out of the world. She scored ten goals in the first-ever World Cup.

In the final, the USA defeated Norway by 2-1. For the US, Akers scored both goals. She is the second-most goal scorer in the World Cup for the United States. Akers had scored 12 goals from her 13 appearances in the World Cup.

TournamentGoalsAssistUSA Position
World Cup 1991101Champion
World Cup 1995003rd
World Cup 199921Champion
Olympic 199610Champion

By winning three major competitions for the USA, Akers stands as one of the best US women’s soccer players of all time.

3. Abby Wambach

Full NameMary Abigail Wambach
Date of BirthJune 2, 1980
Birth’s PlaceRochester, New York, US
Current Age42
OccupationSoccer player
ResidenceRochester
Net Worth$85 MILLION
Height1.8 m
Weight81 kg
EthnicityWhite
Eye ColorGrey
GenderFemale

Abby had one of the finest header skills in soccer. She scored 184 goals, of which 77 came from headers.

She scored the 122nd-minute equalizer in the quarter-final against Brazil with a beautiful header. USWNT eventually won the match and the tournament too.

Abby has played four World Cups for the United States. She scored 14 goals, the most by any US player in the World Cup.

TournamentGoalsAssistUSA Position
World Cup 2003303rd
World Cup 2007603rd
World Cup 201141Runner-up
World Cup 201510Champion
Olympic 200440Champion
Olympic 201250Champion
CONCACAF 201471Champion

She won the FIFA Player of the Year Award in 2012. She is the top scorer for the USA in the big tournaments. All these accolades made her one of the  Because of her contribution to US soccer; she was inducted into the best US women’s soccer players of all time. 2019 Hall of Fame Class.

4. Kristine Lilly

Full NameKristine Marie Lilly Heavey
Date of BirthJuly 22, 1971
Birth’s PlaceNew York City, US
Current Age51
OccupationSoccer Player
ResidenceNew York City
Net Worth$5 million
Height5 ft 4 in
Weight57kg
Ethnicitywhite
Eye ColorBrown
GenderFemale

Kristine Lilly had the longest career in US Women’s Soccer history. She represented the country in 354 matches and appeared in five World Cups and three Olympic tournaments.

In her long career, Kristine scored 130 goals and assisted in 106 goals. She was a part of 2 FIFA Women’s World Cup-winning teams and two Olympics gold medal-winning teams.

TournamentGoalsAssistUSA Position
World Cup 199100Champion
World Cup 1995303rd
World Cup 199921Champion
World Cup 2003203rd
World Cup 2007113rd
Olympic 199600Champion
Olympic 200010Runner-up
Olympic 200431Champion

Kristine Lily played 5 World Cups and scored in four of them. Her contribution to winning the 2004 Olympics was also remarkable. All these achievements make her one of the best US women’s soccer players of all time.

5. Carli Lloyd

Full NameCarli Anne Hollins
Date of BirthJuly 16, 1982
Birth’s PlaceDelran Township, New Jersey, US
Current Age40
OccupationSoccer Player
ResidenceDelran Township, New Jersey.
Net Worth$2 million
Height1.7 meter (5 feet 57 inches)
Weight64 kg (141 lb)
EthnicityWhite
Eye ColorBrown
GenderFemale

This Midfielder from New Jersey was born for the big matches. Carli scored a hat-trick under 16 minutes in the 2015 Women’s FIFA World Cup, leading her team to victory. She won the golden ball in the tournament for scoring six goals.

The Final match between USA and Brazil in the 2008 Olympics remained 0-0 after 90 minutes. It was Carli who scored the first goal in the 96th minute and led the USA to win the gold medal.

In the 2012 Olympics final, Carli again scored two goals in the final. The midfielder reached her 100 goals mark in 2018. She has so far set up more than 50 assists. She is still playing for the US at the age of 40, and she is still one of the best.

TournamentGoalsAssistUSA Position
World Cup 2007003rd
World Cup 201110Runner-up
World Cup 201560Champion
World Cup 201930Champion
Olympic 201240Champion
Olympic 201621Quarter-final
Olympic 202020Semi-final

Carli made a major contribution to USA’s back-to-back World Cup wins in 2015 and 2019. Thus she has secured her legacy as one of the best US women’s soccer players of all time.

6. Hope Solo

Full NameHope Amelia Stevens
Date of BirthJuly 30, 1981
Birth’s PlaceRichland, Washington, US
Current Age41
OccupationSoccer Player
ResidenceNorth Carolina
Net Worth$5 million
Height1.75 m
Weight69 kg
Ethnicitywhite
Eye ColorBlue
GenderFemale

Solo represented the US A. in more than 200 matches. She had been the no.1 goalkeeper for a long time. She was like the wall of China in front of the US A. net.

She won the Golden Glove award in the 2011 and 2015 World Cups for her exceptional performance. The US A. was unbeatable during her time.

TournamentGoals AgainstSavesUSA Position
World Cup 20072163rd
World Cup 2011729Runner-up
World Cup 2015314Champion
World Cup 201930Champion
Olympic 2008513Champion
Olympic 2012615Champion

Hope Solo protected the US net in 6 major tournaments, and the USA became champion on four occasions. Solo is one of the best women goalkeepers in the game.

7. Joy Fawcett

Full NameJoy Lynn Fawcett
Date of BirthFebruary 8, 1968
Birth’s PlaceInglewood, California, United States
Current Age54
OccupationSoccer Player
ResidenceInglewood, California, United States
Net Worth$14 million
Height5 ft 5 in
Weight61kg
Ethnicitywhite
Eye Colorbrown
GenderFemale

Joy Fawcett is the most energetic player ever to play the game. She was never substituted or benched in the 1995, 1999, and 2003 World Cups. She was on the field for every moment of the World Cup.

Fawcett scored the decisive goal in the 1999 World Cup Quarterfinals.

Fawcett played 241 international matches and scored 27 goals. Only god knows how many goals she had stopped.

TournamentGoalsAssistUSA Position
World Cup 199110Champion
World Cup 1995103rd
World Cup 199911Champion
World Cup 2003003rd
Olympic 199600Champion
Olympic 200000Runner-up
Olympic 200400Champion

Joy Fawcett was a complete defender. As she never had to be substituted, team USA always could have a fresh pair of legs in the forward. The iron lady was a part of 4 tournament victories. She established herself as one of the best defenders in soccer and one of the best US women’s soccer players of all time as well.

8. Julie Foudy

Full NameJulie Maurine Foudy
Date of BirthJanuary 23, 1971
Birth’s PlaceSan Diego, California, United States
Current Age51
OccupationSoccer Player
ResidenceSan Diego
Net Worth$1.5 million
Height5 ft 6
Weight59 kg
EthnicityWhite
Eye ColorGrey
GenderFemale

The midfielder was a part of the USWNT for nearly fifteen years. She was a blend of attacking prowess and energy.

The former captain was a part of the 1991 and 1999 World Cup teams. Julie scored a total of 45 international goals and made 55 assists. After playing for America for about 274 matches, she declared her retirement.

TournamentGoalsAssistUSA Position
World Cup 199112Champion
World Cup 1995123rd
World Cup 199913Champion
World Cup 2003123rd 
Olympic 199600Champion
Olympic 200010Runner-up
Olympic 200400Champion

Julie’s performance in the World Cup was impressive. She set up the most assists for her strikers and scored in every world cup herself. She is one of the best midfielders the US has ever had.

9. Tiffeny Milbrett

Full NameTiffeny Carleen Milbrett
Date of BirthOctober 23, 1972
Birth’s PlacePortland, Oregon, US
Current Age50
OccupationSoccer Player
ResidencePortland, Oregon
Net Worth$1.5 million
Height5 ft 2 in
Weight61kg
Ethnicitywhite
Eye Colorblack
GenderFemale

Tiffeny Milbrett was a small lady in structure. But on the field, for the opponent, she was a big threat.

She scored three goals in 1995 and another three in the 1999 World Cup.

Coincidentally, Tiffeny scored her 100th goal in her last match when Carli Lloyd made her debut.

TournamentGoalsAssistUSA Position
World Cup 1995303rd
World Cup 199930Champion
World Cup 2003103rd 
Olympic 199620Champion
Olympic 200030Runner-up

Tiffeny scored eight goals in the three world cups she played for the US She also scored five goals in two Olympics. Her contribution to such major tournaments made her one of the best women’s soccer players of all time.

10. Christie Rampone

Full NameChristie Patricia Pearce
Date of BirthJune 24, 1975
Birth’s PlaceFort Lauderdale, Florida, US
Current Age47
OccupationSoccer Player
ResidenceFlorida
Net Worth$2 million
Height5 ft 6 in
Weight64kg
EthnicityWhite
Eye ColorBrown
GenderFemale

Christie Rampone had a long career. She participated in five World Cups from 1999 to 2015.

The defender was the captain of USWNT for eight years. Under her leadership, the USA won two Olympic golds and a World Cup in 2015. She was more than just a player. Being the most senior player, she used to welcome, motivate and help the newcomers to shine.

Honorable Mentions

Before we talk about the top 10 players on our list, here are some honorable mentions. Their contribution to the success of the team is unforgettable.

Alex Morgan

Morgan scored more than 100 goals for the country. She scored goals for the USA in two different world cups and two different Olympics. In 2012 Olympic final, she scored the decisive goal in the 123rd minute.

Becky Sauerbrunn

This two world cup winning defender has played 211 international games. Despite not being much big in size, Sauerbrunn proved herself as one of the best defenders. She knows the game very well. She is always in the right position to help her goalkeeper. She was one of the cornerstones of defense in the World Cup team.

Megan Rapinoe

Megan has scored 63 goals for the USWNT and 73 assists. But the number is not enough to measure her contribution to the team. Her cross to Abby Wambach in the 2011 World Cup final is one of the finest passes in women’s football. With her assistance, Abby scored the equalizer at the very end of the extra time. Finally, the USA won the World Cup by tiebreaker.

Conclusion

Soccer is a team’s play. You need the collaboration of your goalkeeper, defenders, midfielders, and forwards. USWNT has always had such a combination of great players in all the positions. Together, they made USWNT the strongest team.

From Akers to Abby, all these women have given their best to the game and made the US proud. They are the inspiration for women not only in the US but around the globe.

They brought US women’s soccer to the prestigious position it is in today. They will always be remembered as the best US women’s soccer players of all time.

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Shebbroto Halder has been writing for years on Football. He has also played Football at the state level in his time. His passion for Football has made him what he is today. He enjoys keeping up with everything related to Football.

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