The past 25+ years have seen soccer become one of the most popular sports among young children. Prior to the 1990s, soccer was nowhere near as popular as it’s become and many times those who played the beautiful game, in the United States, were children of immigrants or immigrants themselves. Since, the global game has spread its roots and has become one of the go-to sports when children first join their first youth leagues.
CHESTER, PA – MAY 28: Josh Sargent #13 of the US Men’s National Team celebrates his 1st national team goal with teammate Tim Weah #11 of the US Men’s National Team during the International Friendly Match between United States Men’s National Team v Bolivia at Talen Energy Stadium on May 28, 2018 in Chester, PA. The US Men’s National Team won the match with a score of 3 to 0. (Photo by Ira L. Black/Corbis via Getty Images)
The United States Men’s National Team has also come a long way since the 1990s. The team has seen different levels of success since 2000, but the last five years have seen a glaring issue: the USMNT’s lack of developing a true goal scorer, specifically from a striker, center forward, or winger position. Looking at the top five goal scorers, featuring Clint Dempsey (57), Landon Donovan (57), Jozy Altidore (42), Eric Wynalda (34), and Christian Pulisic (31), in USMNT’s history, three of the five are true midfielders, even though Donovan and Dempsey played forward roles for the USMNT. Eric Wynalda and Jozy Altidore are the only two true forward players, and whereas Eric Wynalda last played for the USMNT in 2000 at 31 years old, Jozy Altidore last featured for the USMNT in 2019. Post-2019, it’s hard to argue against Timothy Weah being the USMNT’s best forward player, even if a winger, and the best forward player since Jozy Altidore and Jermaine Jones.
Like Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey, the USMNT’s bright spot is midfielder Christian Pulisic. He is a phenomenal player in his own right, but the team needs a striker/center forward to alleviate pressure off Pulisic and not rely heavily on a midfielder to put the ball into the back of the net. The lack of a true striker/forward alleviates pressure from opposing teams. Yes, the team features wingers such as Timothy Weah, but there is always a glaring hole when the ball is near the 18-yard box. The development of a nine, or false nine, would do wonders for the USMNT.
AUSTIN, TX – OCTOBER 07: Zack Steffen of the United States passes the ballduring USMNT Training at St. David’s Performance Center on October 7, 2024 in Austin , Texas. (Photo by John Dorton/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images for USSF)
The lack of developing a true attacking player is puzzling. Soccer has seen leaps and bounds since 2000, and it leaves one to wonder why there has been a lack in the development of a truly attacking player at striker or center forward. Several factors such as: coaching, player talent, and playing ability could attribute to the lack of success of a striker/center forward on the USMNT.
The U.S. Soccer Federation’s lack of patience was the demise of Jurgen Klinsmann, as he had a plan in place to develop players from the youth level. It would have been interesting to see where his plan stood in 2024 should he have remained head coach after 2016. Mauricio Pochettino takes over the USMNT and there should be a freshness in play style that the USMNT has lacked. Having coached some of the biggest clubs in the world, it would do wonders should Pochettino have success with a new play style (pace), one-touch passing, and development of a successful striker or center forward.