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Ranking Landon Donovan Among the 15 Greatest US Soccer Players Of All Time

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Ranking Landon Donovan Among the 15 Greatest US Soccer Players Ever

Landon Donovan: FBL-CONCACAF-GOLD CUP-USA-CUB
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Landon Donovan announced his retirement from the game of soccer after the 2014 MLS season. The American soccer legend will be given his final appearance on Oct. 10, 2014 against Ecuador. The LA Galaxy legend is one of the greatest American soccer players. Here is a look at where Landon Donovan would fall in the list of greatest U.S. soccer players ever.

15. Eddie Pope

Eddie Pope: Italian forward Alberto Gilardino (L) vi
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15. Eddie Pope

Eddie Pope: Italian forward Alberto Gilardino (L) vi
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Pope is one of the best defenders to have played for the USMNT. The former Real Salt Lake man has been selected in numerous best eleven lineups for the United States. Pope has 83 caps to his name with eight goals, representing the U.S. from 1996-2006.

14. Tab Ramos

Tab Ramos: USA V SWITZERLAND
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14. Tab Ramos

Tab Ramos: USA V SWITZERLAND
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The Uruguayan born midfielder represented the U.S. from 1988 to 2000, where he earned 81 caps and eight goals. Ramos featured in three World Cups and played professionally in the U.S., Mexico and Spain. The former Metrostars player won the 1990 U.S. Soccer Player of the Year.

13. Paul Caligiuri

Paul Caligiuri
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13. Paul Caligiuri

Paul Caligiuri
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Caliguiri played every minute of the American campaign of the 1990 and 1994 edition of the FIFA World Cup. He is most notably remembered for the last second goal known as the “shot heard around the world” against Trinidad and Tobago, which catapulted the U.S. to their first World Cup in 40 years.

12. Eric Wynalda

United States Eric Wynalda celebrates after scorin
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12. Eric Wynalda

United States Eric Wynalda celebrates after scorin
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Wynalda’s most memorable moment came in the 1994 World Cup when he scored a goal against Switzerland. Wynalda was the first American to win several awards in the second division of the Bundesliga. The former 1. FC Saarbrucken forward was the first true striker for the USMNT.

11. Brian McBride

Brian McBride: WCQ: USA v MEX
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11. Brian McBride

Brian McBride: WCQ: USA v MEX
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The former Fulham striker is the fourth all-time leading scorer for the U.S. with 30 goals in 96 appearances. McBride was the first American to score in two separate World Cups, hitting the back of the net in the 1998 and 2002 editions.

10. Alexi Lalas

US national team defender Alexi Lalas jumps in the
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10. Alexi Lalas

US national team defender Alexi Lalas jumps in the
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Although Lalas is now known for his colorful banter with German legend Michael Ballack, the former Padova defender was one of the best defenders the USMNT has seen. Lalas played every minute of every game for the U.S. in the 1994 World Cup and also won recognition as an honorary selection of the All-Star team of the tournament.

9. Kasey Keller

Kasey Keller: CONCACAF Gold Cup First Round
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9. Kasey Keller

Kasey Keller: CONCACAF Gold Cup First Round
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Keller looked absolutely unbeatable at times and earned every single minute of his 101 caps. The former Tottenham keeper had a successful stint in Europe before returning to the U.S. to finish his career. Keller’s most memorable performance was in the Gold Cup against Brazil in 1998.

8. Michael Bradley

Michael Bradley: USA v Germany: Group G - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil
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8. Michael Bradley

Michael Bradley: USA v Germany: Group G - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil
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Bradley had a semi-successful stint in Europe before returning to MLS. The former AS Roma player is still young and has tons to contribute to the USMNT. With his superb passing and vision, it is exciting to see where Bradley will end up among the greats.

7. Jermaine Jones

Jermaine Jones: USA v Portugal: Group G - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil
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7. Jermaine Jones

Jermaine Jones: USA v Portugal: Group G - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil
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Jones was one of the most important players to America’s success in the group of death. It is a shame that the 2014 World Cup was his first and last for the stars and stripes, but the FC Schalke 04 man’s contribution were felt. Jones is without a doubt the best defensive midfielder in USMNT history.

6. Claudio Reyna

Claudio Reyna: Group E Italy v USA - World Cup 2006
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6. Claudio Reyna

Claudio Reyna: Group E Italy v USA - World Cup 2006
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Nicknamed Captain America by his British fans, Reyna was a player who made everyone around him better. The former captain spent the entirety of his career in Europe and returned to retire in MLS. Reyna was selected to the USMNT for the World Cup in 1994, 1998, 2002 and 2006.

5. Clint Dempsey

Clint Dempsey: Mexico v United States - FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier
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5. Clint Dempsey

Clint Dempsey: Mexico v United States - FIFA 2014 World Cup Qualifier
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In the absence of Landon Donovan, Deuce led the USMNT through the most challenging group stages in the World Cup. Dempsey scored the fastest goal for the U.S. in the first 30 seconds against Ghana and also scored the second goal against Portugal. The former Fulham attacker is second on the all-time goals list and is one place behind Donovan.

4. Tim Howard

Tim Howard: FBL-WC2014-AUT-USA
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4. Tim Howard

Tim Howard: FBL-WC2014-AUT-USA
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Arguably one of the best players for the USMNT, Tim Howard kept the Americans relevant in every single match of the 2014 World Cup. The Everton shot stopper won the Golden Glove award for the 2009 Confederations Cup and allowed the U.S. to finish second. Howard will take a break from international duty, making it difficult for him to climb higher on this list.

3. Cobi Jones

Cobi Jones: Football. 2002 FIFA World Cup Finals. Second Phase. Jeonju, South Korea. 17th June 2002. Mexico 0 v U.S.A.2. Cobi Jones, U.S.A.Credit: POPPERFOTO/JOHN MCDERMOTT
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3. Cobi Jones

Cobi Jones: Football. 2002 FIFA World Cup Finals. Second Phase. Jeonju, South Korea. 17th June 2002. Mexico 0 v U.S.A.2. Cobi Jones, U.S.A.Credit: POPPERFOTO/JOHN MCDERMOTT
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Cobi Jones is the most capped player for the USMNT with 168 appearances. The LA Galaxy legend was a member of three World Cup squads. Jones was one of the few players fans deemed indispensable to the USMNT, with his bombing runs down the flanks and his accurate crosses that made him a great asset.

2. Brad Friedel

Brad Friedel: FUSSBALL: WM 2002 in JAPAN und KOREA, GER - USA 1:0
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2. Brad Friedel

Brad Friedel: FUSSBALL: WM 2002 in JAPAN und KOREA, GER - USA 1:0
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The former USMNT goalkeeper is possibly one of the best penalty stoppers in history. At the age of 43, the Tottenham man is still able to play in the English Premier League. Brad Friedel made 83 appearances for the U.S. and represented the country from 1992 to 2005, playing in goal for the 1998 and 2002 World Cup.

1. Landon Donovan

Landon Donovan: USA v Algeria: Group C - 2010 FIFA World Cup
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1. Landon Donovan

Landon Donovan: USA v Algeria: Group C - 2010 FIFA World Cup
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Named the U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year four times, Landon Donovan has consistently been one of the most important players in the USMNT. The LA Galaxy legend is the all-time leading scorer for the USMNT with 57 goals in 156 caps. Donovan is the only player in to represent the U.S. with 50 goals and 50 assists. No single player has been more important to the growth of soccer in the U.S.

Yoshiki Matsunaga is a soccer writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter yoshikimat, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

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