If you don’t already, then it’s time to start taking the USA seriously when it comes to football (or soccer). For the first time in their history, they’re starting to produce a constant flow of potential world class talent, some of which are already making a name for themselves in Europe. This season we’ve seen a record number of American starlets feature in the prestigious Champions League. Below we look at the top 10 best young American (USA) players in FIFA 21:
Looking for the best young American soccer players in FIFA 22? Check them out here.
Best American Wonderkids in FIFA 21
10. Caden Clark (New York Red Bulls: CAM)
Still only 17, Caden Clark is widely tipped to make it to the very top. Currently at New York Red Bulls, the CAM has a 61 overall rating and 81 potential in FIFA 21.
Movement on and off the ball is crucial for all attacking midfielders and Clark has all the right attributes to become accomplished in the role with 75 acceleration, 77 agility and 73 balance. And while he’s far from the finished article, with a release clause of just €2.2 million, he’s definitely worth the small investment.
9. Richard Ledezma (PSV: CAM)
Yet to break into the PSV first-team attacking midfielder Richard Ledezma will have to prove his worth in the reserves. Rated 66 overall with an 81 potential, he’s expected to develop into a top-quality player in the coming years. He has already shown glimpses with excellent composure – 70 dribbling and ball control – and movement. While not blessed with blistering pace Ledezma is quick off the mark with 76 acceleration and 79 agility.
8. Jesus Ferreira (FC Dallas: ST, CM, CAM)
Aged 19 Jesus Ferreira is already a first-team regular at FC Dallas. Naturally right-footed and 5’8” in height, the teenager has played several positions including CAM and CM, but he’s most effective playing further forward as a striker where he can utilise his 74 finishing and 84 sprint speed.
For his age, Ferreira is an intelligent footballer, which is illustrated with 78 positioning and 69 vision attributes. Currently rated 68 overall, but with an 81 potential, he’s worth every penny of his €6.2 million release clause in FIFA 21 career mode.
7. Indiana Vassilev (Burton Albion: LW, RW, ST)
Whilst a number of America’s talented teenagers attempt to make a name for themselves with Europe’s elite, 19-year-old Indiana Vassilev is doing things a little differently. He’s currently on loan at Burton Albion in England’s third tier, from parent club Aston Villa, a far cry from the Barcelona’s and Borussia Dortmund’s of the world. But he’s getting valuable first team football, which is likely to help the 62 rated winger eventually achieve his 82 potential.
Capable of playing across the front three Vassilev is lively on the ball with 74 acceleration, 73 sprint speed and 78 balance. However, his end product needs to improve with 64 finishing, 60 crossing and 52 short passing.
6. Ulysses Llanez Jr. (SC Heerenveen: RW, LW)
Aged 19 Ulysses Llanez Jr. has already earned his first international appearance for the USMNT, and in the coming years is expected to earn many more. Naturally right-footed, he’s best deployed as a right-winger, but is capable of playing on the opposite flank where he likes to cut in on his stronger foot. Currently on loan at Dutch side SC Heerenveen from Wolfsburg, Llanez is hoping regular first-team football can help improve his overall play. Rated 64 overall with an 82 potential the teenager is an exceptional athlete with 79 acceleration, 81 agility and 77 balance. Technically, though, there’s plenty of room for improvement, especially in the final third, with 66 dribbling, 58 crossing and 55 finishing. Still, he has all the makings to become a top player.
5. Timothy Weah (Lille: ST, LM)
Son of former Ballon d’Or winner George Weah, Timothy is hoping to follow in his dad’s footsteps by becoming one of the world’s best. After failing to make his mark at PSG, the 20-year-old now plays for Lille, where he’s made a handful of first-team appearances.
Like all good strikers, Weah has an eye for goal with 70 finishing. His biggest strength, though, is his athleticism. With 83 acceleration, 85 sprint speed and 84 agility he’s dynamic and difficult to defend against. Rated 68 overall with an 82 potential Weah looks good value for money with a FIFA 21 career mode release clause of just €7.3 million.
4. Joshua Sargent (Werder Bremen: ST, RW)
Joshua Sargent is, arguably, USA’s most promising out and out striker. Already a first-team regular at Werder Bremen the 20-year-old has taken to the Bundesliga like a duck to water showing glimpses of why he has a potential rating of 82 in FIFA 21.
With 71 finishing, 79 sprint speed and 73 position Sargent has all the makings of a top striker. And, standing 6’1” tall, he has the physical presence to cause defenders all sorts of problems.
3. Chris Richards (Bayern Munchen: CB, RB)
Chris Richards might not be the tallest of centre backs at 6’2”, but the 20-year-old has exceptional aerial ability for his age with 90 jumping, 74 strength and 73 heading accuracy. He’s a proper traditional defender, the no-nonsense type, so playing out from the back doesn’t come naturally to the American youngster. But at Bayern Munich, where he’s been for three years now, that is likely to change, which should see his 59 short passing, 45 dribbling and 58 ball control improve drastically.
Richards is currently rated 67 overall with an 83 potential making his €5.7 million release clause seem too good to be true.
2. Sergiño Dest (Barcelona: RB)
One of the brightest talents in Europe, Sergiño Dest joined Barcelona from Ajax this summer and is already making a name for himself in La Liga. Rated 75 overall with an 86 potential Dest is expected to become one of the world’s best in his position.
Dest fits the mould of the modern day full-back. He has bags of pace, with 88 acceleration and 86 sprint speed, and loves to get forward where he can beat players and utilise his 82 dribbling and 72 crossing. But defensively there’s room for improvement, which you’d expect considering he’s still only 19. If you’re crying out for a long term replacement at right-back on FIFA 21 career mode, then Dest is your man.
1. Giovanni Reyna (Borussia Dortmund: CAM, CF)
Still only 17 Giovanni Reyna has made almost 50 senior appearances at club level. After bursting on to the scene at New York City, the teenager is now part of an exciting project at Borussia Dortmund where he’s already hit the ground running.
Son of USA legend Claudio Reyna, Giovanni is yet to feature for the national side, but it’s surely only a matter of time before he’s given his first senior cap. Capable of playing CAM or CF, Reyna is excellent on the ball with 78 dribbling and 76 ball control, can pick a pass with 75 short passing and 69 vision and has excellent movement on and off the ball with 84 agility and 80 balance. Rated 70 overall with a potential of 87 there’s no doubt this kid is worth the €9.3 million release clause in FIFA 21.
They’ve had to wait a while, but fans of the Stars and Stripes finally have a crop of youngsters to get excited about. In Richards and Dest they have defensive stability and with Reyna making things happen in the final third they’ll be an attacking force to be reckoned with. What’s great about this group of wonderkids in FIFA 21 is that they’re available to buy for next to nothing, so there’s a bargain or two to be had in career mode.
