10 Players with Most Assists in USMNT History [Ranked]

Soccer is perhaps the most individual of all team sports. And while it’s true that we speak of a soccer “team” or “club” when describing the entities involved, many trophies counterbalance the idea of the “all-collective” and reward players for their individual performances.

On the attacking side of the game, while most discussions revolve around the goalscorers, it would be a mistake to take the decisive passers out of the equation. Both for club and country, they play a vital role in building victories and winning trophies.

And it’s an understatement to say that the USMNT, the team we’re interested in today, has, in the course of its history, counted many great talents. That’s the reason why GIVEMESPORT has decided to shine the spotlight on these players, and has compiled a list of the most prolific setters for the Stars and Stripes.

10

Joe-Max Moore

USMNT assists: 14

• Appearances: 100
• International career: 1992-2002

A versatile — and often attack-minded — midfielder, Joe-Max Moore wore the colors of the USMNT for ten years, making a total of 100 appearances. During this time, he not only found the net on 24 occasions, but also provided 14 assists.

On the whole, a positive record for a player who took part in no fewer than three World Cup final phases, five Gold Cups and one Copa América — without winning a single trophy. Nonetheless, his career was nothing short of exceptional, and he has logically been honored with an induction into the National Soccer Hall of Fame.

9

John Harkes

USMNT assists: 15

• Appearances: 90
• International career: 1987-2000

When it comes to talking about the great midfielders of USMNT history, the name John Harkes is inevitably associated with them. And yet, things haven’t always been rosy for the former DC United
player. Particularly in 1998. Named “Captain For Life” — the appellation is self-explanatory enough — by his coach, Steve Sampson.

Harkes was eventually excluded from the squad selected to take part in the 1998 World Cup. A surprising decision at the time, which Sampson justified a few years later by citing an internal affair involving the wife of his former teammate Eric Wynalda.

8

Eric Wynalda

USMNT assists: 16

• Appearances: 106
• International career: 1990-2000

Wynalda is actually the one who occupies eighth place in this ranking. As well as being a fearsome — and feared — goal hunter, the former striker also possessed an invaluable ability to create situations and deliver decisive passes.

It’s a quality he demonstrated on 16 occasions during his 106 appearances for the USMNT, helping to establish him as one of the most outstanding players of the 1990s. A member of the 1995 Copa América semi-finalists, he also played a part in his country’s victory in the inaugural Gold Cup in 1991, and became the first American player to play in the Bundesliga
.

7

Eddie Lewis

USMNT assists: 18

• Appearances: 82
• International career: 1996-2008

Eddie Lewis’ career with the USMNT has been made up of two distinct parts. The first, which can be traced from 1996 to 2005, saw the 2010 Supporters’ Shield winner with Los Angeles Galaxy
occupy and establish himself in the left midfield position.

But with the competition growing ever fiercer — notably with the emergence of DaMarcus Beasley at the highest level — and the years beginning to take their toll, Lewis was moved back in the lineup, in the role of full-back. A role he held until 2008, the year in which he honored his 82nd and final cap with the US national team.

6

Christian Pulisic

USMNT assists: 18

• Appearances: 76
• International career: 2016-Present

At just 26 years of age, Christian Pulisic is undoubtedly one of the American players with the most impressive career to date. The man nicknamed “Captain America” has played for a number of prestigious clubs in the Bundesliga, Premier League
and Serie A
, and is also one of the stars of the US national team.

The only player still active in this ranking, the USMNT captain has racked up 18 assists in less than 80 appearances — a flattering record, alongside his 32 goals, some of which came against real giants of the game ( Germany
, Brazil Football
, Mexico). And it’s clear that he’s still a long way from retiring.

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5

Claudio Reyna

USMNT assists: 19

• Appearances: 112
• International career: 1994-2006

Few American players can claim to be categorized as “world class”. Claudio Reyna is certainly one of them. The only USMNT representative — and the first ever — on the 2002 World Cup All-Star Team, the midfielder stood out for his technical ability and exceptional vision of the game.

Such qualities enabled him to be named captain of the national team on numerous occasions, and to take part in four World Cup
knockout rounds. A player for whom many regret the final years of his career, as an important number of injuries prevented him from establishing an even greater legacy.

4

Clint Dempsey

USMNT assists: 21

• Appearances: 141
• International career: 2004-2017

In a different style to Reyna, Clint Dempsey is also one of the great icons in the history of the US national team. And this is as much for his performances on the green rectangle as for the impact he has had on the perception of soccer among the young — and older — generations of his country.

With 21 assists, 57 goals and 141 caps to his name, the former No. 8 is present in the vast majority of USMNT rankings. A top-class player who remains one of the pioneers in the export of his compatriots to Europe and its leagues, reputed to be the best on the planet.

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3

Cobi Jones

USMNT assists: 22

• Appearances: 164
• International career: 1992-2004

Cobi Jones holds the record for most appearances for the US national team. A player turned legend who, for any coach with a reasonable shred of sense, should have his name first on the team’s starting line-up.

Versatile, inexhaustible, powerful, accurate: the adjectives are endless to describe all that the former LA Galaxy player was and represented. Decisive on 37 occasions (15 goals, 22 assists) during his 12-year international career, he played a key role in his team’s victory at the 2002 Gold Cup.

2

Michael Bradley

USMNT assists: 23

• Appearances: 151
• International career: 2006-2019

Some would say that having a father who is a coach can play a decisive role in a player’s career. And that may well be true. But the fact is, Michael Bradley didn’t need the arrival of his father, Bob Bradley, at the helm of the USMNT to make a name for himself on the national stage.

Nor was it because of their close relationship, to say the least, that Bradley recorded so many caps with the US national team. No, the midfielder was a real talent. And he proved it time and time again. So much so, in fact, that he is now regarded as one of the greatest midfielders in the history of both MLS
and the Stars and Stripes.

1

Landon Donovan

USMNT assists: 58

• Appearances: 157
• International career: 2000-2014

If you’re in the habit of following our various American soccer rankings, it won’t have gone unnoticed that Landon Donovan’s name keeps popping up. After all, what else could you expect from the greatest USA player of all time and LA Galaxy top scorer ever? Co-leading scorer in the USMNT’s history with 57 goals, he is also the team’s best passer and one of its most capped players.

All these exceptional records have enabled him to establish himself as a veritable standard-bearer, or more precisely as a symbol, of the round ball in one of the few countries where it is not considered the king of sports… yet.

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