The best USWNT players of all time have brought home multiple World Cups and Olympic gold medals to the United States, cementing their legacies for decades to come.
The U.S. Women’s National Team has dominated women’s soccer over the last 30 years. The Stars and Stripes have four World Cups and four Olympic gold medals, both the most in history, thanks to their legendary players. As the next generation looks to continue adding to the USA’s success, they will have a lot of work to break some of the long-standing records by the best to ever suit up for the USWNT.
Here’s a breakdown of the five greatest USWNT players of all time.
5. Michelle Akers
Michelle Akers was a pioneer for the USWNT. She helped the Stars and Stripes win the inaugural 1991 Women’s World Cup, leading the way up top with ten goals, and went on to win the 1999 World Cup as well, taking home the Bronze Ball. Akers also won gold at the 1996 Olympic Games.
Akers is one of just seven USWNT players in history to score over 100 goals, and currently ranks sixth all-time with 107. Her efforts led her to be named the FIFA Female Player of the Century in 2002, and she and Mia Hamm were the only two women named to the FIFA 100 list in 2004.
4. Megan Rapinoe
Megan Rapinoe was always going to go down as one of the USWNT’s greats, but she cemented her legacy at the 2019 World Cup. The former USWNT captain won the Golden Ball and the Golden Boot for her performance in the tournament that ultimately led the USA to their record fourth World Cup. Rapinoe also walked away with the Ballon d’Or in the same year, as well as the best FIFA Women’s Player award.
Of course, even before the 2019 World Cup, Rapinoe already had plenty of silverware. She was part of the 2012 Olympic gold medal and 2015 World Cup-winning squads. She also took home a bronze medal from the Tokyo Olympics before she retired.
3. Hope Solo
Hope Solo holds just about every goalkeeping record for the USWNT. The keeper has the most wins (153) and the most clean sheets (102). She was between the posts for the USWNT’s 2015 World Cup victory and their second place finish four years prior. Solo won the Golden Glove at both tournaments, and even walked away with the Bronze Ball in 2011 for her efforts in goal.
Solo also has two Olympic gold medals in her trophy cabinet from 2008 and 2012. Her career for the USWNT earned her a place in the National Soccer Hall of Fame.
2. Mia Hamm
Mia Hamm has not played for USWNT in over 20 years, and yet she still holds multiple records for the Stars and Stripes. Hamm is still the youngest player to ever debut for the USWNT at age 15, and very quickly got to work building her legacy. The forward has the most assists in USWNT history with 147, and the second most goals with 158, behind only Abby Wambach.
Hamm’s contributions helped the USWNT win the inaugural Women’s World Cup in 1991, and then another in 1999. She also has two gold medals from the 1996 and 2004 Olympic Games.
1. Abby Wambach
It is hard to argue against Abby Wambach as the greatest USWNT player in history. The iconic player is still the USA’s all-time leading goalscorer with 184 goals, including 14 World Cup goals and 24 Olympic goals. Wambach won the Bronze Boot and the Silver Ball at the 2011 Women’s World Cup, before going on to win the 2015 Women’s World Cup with the Stars and Stripes.
The forward also won two Olympic gold medals, and became just the second American to ever win the FIFA World Player of the Year award. In the years since her retirement, no one has come close to surpassing her legacy.
Conclusion:
As we look back on the history of the USWNT and the incredible players that have represented the team over the years, it is clear that these five athletes have left an indelible mark on the sport of women’s soccer. From Michelle Akers and Mia Hamm to Abby Wambach and Hope Solo, each player brought something unique to the team and helped pave the way for future generations of female soccer players. Their achievements on the field, both individually and as part of the team, have inspired countless young women to dream big and reach for the stars.
As the USWNT continues to dominate on the world stage, it is important to remember the trailblazers who came before and set the standard for excellence. The legacy of these players will forever be enshrined in the history of women’s soccer, and their impact will be felt for generations to come.
So here’s to the legends of the USWNT, past and present. May their achievements and their stories continue to inspire and uplift all those who follow in their footsteps.
