GOAL takes a look at which American players are playing the best ahead of the upcoming CONCACAF Nations League
They say form is temporary and class is permanent – but even the classiest players are a lot better when in top form. With the CONCACAF Nations League Finals set to kick off next week, one key question remains: Which U.S. men's national team players are in the best form?
It’s a crucial topic, especially with tournament call-ups looming. For the USMNT, these games matter. Competitive matches are rare on the road to the 2026 World Cup, and manager Mauricio Pochettino will need his top players ready to deliver. Fortunately, several have taken their games to new heights in recent weeks.
Christian Pulisic nearly made the list after single-handedly lifting Milan to a 3-2 win over Lecce. But with Milan’s recent struggles, he just missed out – a testament to how well other USMNT stars are performing. Pulisic’s quality is well known, but these players have been raising their games even higher.
From established USMNT starters to those pushing for a breakthrough, these are the American stars thriving at club level. This is not a ranking of the best players, overall, but rather a snapshot of who is showing the best form at the moment. GOAL takes a look in this recurring feature tracking the pulse of U.S. talent worldwide.
Getty Images Sport5Johnny Cardoso – Real Betis
The Real Betis midfielder has been thriving on the club level for some time now, but he's really stepped up over the last few weeks, in particular.
It's headlined, of course, by his goal against Real Madrid. That goal helped Betis to a 2-1 upset of the Spanish giants, one that provided a huge boost to the club's European hopes. Outside of that, Cardoso has played bit roles in wins over Real Sociedad, Getafe, and Las Palmas, while a step forward in the Conference League could come this Thursday after a 2-2 first-leg draw against Vitoria de Guimaraes.
For the last year or so, Cardoso has been linked with big clubs. Given his performances over the last few weeks, it's easy to see why.
AdvertisementGetty Images Sport4Chris Richards – Crystal Palace
Aside from league-leaders Liverpool, Crystal Palace are the Premier League's hottest team, and the club's defense has played a major role. USMNT defender Richards has been right at the center of it all.
Over the last month or so, Palace has won four of their last five Premier League games, including wins over Manchester United, Fulham, Aston Villa and Ipswich Town. They've also won two FA Cup clashes in between Ricahrds, meanwhile, has been everpresent, headlined by an assist in the FA Cup triumph over Millwall. The real work has been done defensively, though, as Palace have secured seven clean sheets in all competitions since the start of 2025.
Over the last month, Richards has played the best soccer of his career, and Palace have an outside chance at a European push because of it.
Getty3Tyler Adams – Bournemouth
He was his club's Player of the Month for February, which is a pretty good indication of just how good Adams has been in recent weeks.
In reality, he's been fantastic since making his long-awaited return from injury, leaping right into the Bournemouth XI and instantly bringing to a whole new level. It's been a little bit rockier in recent weeks, to be fair, but Bournemouth are all the way up in eighth place with legitimate Champions League hopes if they can right the ship over the next few weeks. Manager Antoni Iraola deserves credit for the club's rise, but so too does Adams, who has been one of the Premier League's best defensive midfielders since returning to the team.
If he can bring that to the USMNT, they'll reach a new level, too. Adams is simply that good.
Getty Images Sport2Josh Sargent – Norwich City
At a time of great need for the USMNT, Sargent is in the best form of his career. Ricardo Pepi and Folarin Balogun won't be in camp in March, but Sargent will, and based on how he's playing, that means things will be OK.
Since scoring a brace against Swansea on Jan. 25, Sargent has been on an absolute tear. He scored against Watford and Derby. Then against Hull City, too. A brace against Stoke, another goal against Oxford United – they've just kept coming. It's all added up to eight goals in as many games for a Norwich team that is trying to fire its way right into a playoff spot.
To get there, will need Sargent to keep at this pace. For the USMNT, they'll need that, too, f they want to lift another Nations League trophy. This is a big opportunity for Sargent, one that could ultimately be career-altering.
