The 10 Best US Women Soccer Players of All Time
Did you know that the U.S. Women's National Soccer team has won the World Cup twice, back-to-back? Did you also know that they finished as runner-up in three World Cup tournaments? The U.S. women's soccer team is one of the most successful teams in the history of international women's soccer. These ladies are so good that even their male counterparts recognize their skill. If you're a fan of women's soccer, reading this article will interest you.
#1. Michelle Akers
The most prolific goal scorer of her generation, the soccer player Michelle Akers was the captain of the U.S. Women's Soccer team that dominated the international women's soccer scene in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Although she was not only a prolific goalscorer, Akers was a master at setting up teammates for goals and distributing the ball. Akers had many noteworthy qualities. She was also an exceptional ball defender who could mark almost any player on any team at any moment. In 1991, Akers won the golden shoe and was named the FIFA Player of the Year.
Akers withdrew before the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney due to the symptoms of a dislocated shoulder sustained in 1999 during the World Cup, when a supporter harmed her when she ran a lap with the team after a victory. With 105 goals, she was the second-highest scorer in the annals of women's international soccer at the time (now 11th all-time).
#2. Brandi Chastain
Brandi Chastain is a former soccer player who was a member of the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team from 1988 to 2004. She is best known for her iconic celebration after scoring the winning goal in the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup final. Although Chastain's primary position was as a midfielder, she also played forward, defender, and sweeper during her career. She was a prolific goal scorer for the U.S. Women's National Team and is ranked 13th on the all-time scoring list for the USWNT (United States Women Soccer National Team). She is also the only player in the history of the World Cup to score 3 goals in a single game.
She was awarded the FIFA Player of the Year (1999) Award and was named Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year. She has also received the World Soccer Player of the Year Award.
Chastain has been inducted into the National Women's Soccer Hall of Fame. She was also inducted into the California Women's Hall of Fame in 2019.
#3 and #4. Carla Endres and Hope Solo
Carla Endres and Hope Solo were two of the best goalkeepers the U.S. Women's Soccer team has ever had. Solo is still playing for the team and ranked highly on our list. Carla Endres was a goalie for the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team from 1991 to 2000. She is the most capped goalkeeper in the history of the USWNT and the only goalkeeper to win two FIFA World Cups.
Her extraordinary talent was on full display in the United States quarterfinal penalty kick victory over Brazil at the 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup. Despite the team's loss in penalties to Japan, Solo was named the tournament's top goalie and given the bronze ball for her efforts.
#5. Joy Fawcett
Joys Fawcett was a member of the USWNT from 1987 to 2000. She played as a defender and sweeper and is the only player from the team to have won three FIFA World Cups. She was also named U.S. Soccer's Player of the Decade for the 1990s. Fawcett is the player who, in 1999, broke the record for the most goals scored in a single FIFA Women's World Cup tournament with a swooping six goals.
She gained 241 caps with the United States women's national soccer team (WNT) and retired from the WNT in 2004 as the greatest scoring defender of the U.S. WNT. A member of the Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA) from its inception, Fawcett was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2009. She was in the movie Soccer Mom as herself.
#6. Mia Hamm
Hamm is the most famous American soccer player ever, and her likeness was used as the basis for the WPSL's (Women’s Premier Soccer League) official emblem.
Over the course of his 30-year career, Hamm set a new record with 158 goals scored in 275 games played and was twice voted FIFA's World Player of the Year. She is one of only two women, along with Michelle Akers, to be included on FIFA's list of the 100 best living footballers. She has won the World Cup twice and the Olympic gold medal twice.
#7. Christie Rampone
Rampone is the only participant to have won the World Cup in 1999 and the 2015 tournament.
For eight years, the rock-solid defender led his country to Olympic and World Cup glory as captain. She retired with 311 caps (the second-most in USWN history), earning her the moniker "Captain America."
In 2017, coach Jill Ellis referred to her as "the glue" on the team's internal side. "She was open to having new people join the team, and she had great communication skills. She was a natural leader who not only set a good example for the rest of us but also exerted considerable influence. She's a world-class human being both on and off the field.” He adds.
#8. Carli Llyod
Already having an impressive resume, Carli Lloyd's three-goal effort in the 2015 World Cup final solidified her status as a USWNT great.
In just 16 minutes, she scored a hattrick, with the third goal being a memorable midfield blast. She finished the World Cup with six goals, earning her the Golden Ball as the tournament's best player. When it mattered most, Lloyd won the gold medal in the 2008 Olympics. She scored in the 96th minute to overcome Brazil after a scoreless first 95.
The midfielder, who also won a gold medal in the 2012 Olympics (scoring twice in the final), hit the century milestone in 2018. With over 50 assists to his name, Lloyd leaves the field as one of the most productive forwards in American soccer history.
#9. Tiffeny Milbrett
Tiffeny Milbrett may have only been 5'2", but her contributions to the team's triumph in crucial matches were crucial. The 1996 Olympic gold medalist had previously scored three goals at the 1995 World Cup. Then, in 1999, she scored three goals at the World Cup.
Milbrett scored her final international goal on the same day that Carli Lloyd made her debut for the U.S. women's national team. It was only fair that the guy who sealed an Olympic gold medal carried the metaphorical torch of goal-scoring brilliance.
#10. Abby Wambach
Wambach, the last decorated player on our list, has helped smooth the way for the next generation of U.S. women's soccer stars. She fractured her leg in the team's last game in 2008. Therefore, she could not compete for gold that year despite earning an Olympic gold medal in 2004. Wambach's drive and determination shone through at the World Cup last summer when she scored a late goal against Brazil and the game-winning goal in the championship match.
Wambach has scored 122 goals in 162 games for the national team, which is over a goal per game. Sadly, her efforts have not been rewarded with a World Cup victory.
Final Words
Thanks to their outstanding play, the U.S. women's soccer team has become a fan favorite worldwide. You should also know that these ladies are not just talented athletes – they are role models as well. WomenWire.com applauds the women around the globe who are making a mark in their professional fields. Continue reading our blog if you are looking for more inspiration and being the women of the century and owing it.