The greatest USWNT players of all time

The U.S. Women’s National Team is more than a dynasty. It’s a movement. For over three decades, the USWNT has been the gold standard in women’s soccer, winning four World Cups, five Olympic gold medals, and commanding the global stage with a mix of grit, flair, and fearlessness.

But beyond the trophies are the players who made it all possible. They didn’t just win. They changed the way the world saw women’s sports. Some were pioneers. Some were game-changers. Others still are writing their legacies in real time. Each left their mark not just on the stat sheet, but in the hearts of fans and on the fabric of the game itself.

Here, we honor the greatest ever to wear the crest.

Mia Hamm

The original icon. With 158 goals and 147 assists across 276 caps, Mia Hamm defined dominance and grace for a generation. A two-time World Cup winner and two-time Olympic gold medalist, Hamm had the uncanny ability to score and create with equal brilliance. But it was her influence beyond the pitch that truly separated her. She became the face of women’s soccer globally and an inspiration for millions of young athletes.

Michelle Akers

If Hamm was the face, Akers was the engine. The most complete player of her time, Akers scored 10 goals in the 1991 World Cup en route to the Golden Boot and title. She then reinvented herself as a midfield destroyer by 1999, anchoring the U.S. to a second World Cup crown. Her 105 goals in 153 appearances only hint at her influence. A warrior in every sense, Akers set the physical and mental tone for every generation that followed.

Abby Wambach

The header. The grit. The legacy. Abby Wambach finished with 184 goals in 255 caps, the most in U.S. history. Known for her aerial prowess and clutch moments, she was the emotional heartbeat of the USWNT in the 2000s and early 2010s. Her last-minute goal against Brazil in 2011 is etched into World Cup lore. Off the pitch, she’s been a vocal advocate for equity and inclusion, helping redefine what leadership looks like in women’s sports.

Kristine Lilly

The iron woman. With a record 354 international appearances and 130 goals, Kristine Lilly’s career is a testament to consistency, durability, and quiet excellence. A starter in five World Cups and four Olympics, she was often the unsung hero—until you realized she saved the U.S. from defeat in the 1999 final with a headed clearance off the goal line. Her influence lasted over two decades. Her impact is forever.

Carli Lloyd

When the moment called, she answered. From her game-winning goals in two Olympic gold medal finals to the historic hat trick in the 2015 World Cup final, Carli Lloyd made pressure her playground. She scored 134 goals in 316 caps, earned back-to-back FIFA World Player of the Year honors, and defined the big-game player archetype. Her relentless work ethic and intensity reshaped what longevity and late-career brilliance could look like.

Hope Solo

Brilliant. Bold. Unapologetic. Hope Solo redefined goalkeeping. With 202 caps and 102 shutouts, she holds virtually every USWNT record at her position. Her saves helped win two Olympic golds and a World Cup. Whether commanding her box or confronting injustice, she did it with an edge that made her indispensable—and unforgettable.

Megan Rapinoe

Flair and fire. Megan Rapinoe turned the left wing into her stage, delivering assists, bending in goals, and setting standards in the biggest games. Her 2019 World Cup was iconic—Golden Boot, Golden Ball, and a trophy lift with arms outstretched in defiance and joy. Off the field, she’s been just as dominant, becoming a global voice for equality, justice, and inclusion. Rapinoe changed the game in every sense. She’s also the only American to win the Ballon d’Or.

Alex Morgan

Speed. Smarts. Longevity. With over 120 goals and counting, Alex Morgan has carried the torch into the modern era. Her clutch goals in Olympic and World Cup semifinals, Silver Boot in 2019, and enduring leadership have made her a face of the program. Whether celebrating with her signature tea sip or mentoring the next generation, Morgan remains atop the best USWNT players of all time.

Sophia Smith

The heir apparent. At just 23, Sophia Smith has already won NWSL MVP and Championship honors, led the USWNT in scoring, and captured Olympic gold. Her pace, composure, and finishing instincts suggest greatness in the making. If her current trajectory holds, she won’t just follow in the footsteps of legends—she’ll join them.

Trinity Rodman

Fearless and electric, Trinity Rodman is building her legacy with every match. A breakout NWSL champion and now Olympic gold medalist, she’s bringing flash and fight to the frontline. With double-digit goals already in her international career, Rodman is redefining what the next era of the USWNT could look like—brash, bold, and brilliant.