After the disappointment of failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, there’s reason for optimism amongst the U.S. ranks. A rebuild project, from top to bottom, has resulted in an unprecedented number of young, talented stars venturing to Europe and playing for some of the biggest clubs in the world like Chelsea, Barcelona and Juventus to name but a few. Below we take a look at the best young American players in FIFA 22:
Best American Wonderkids in FIFA 22
10. Justin Che (FC Dallas: RB, CB)
17-year-old Justin Che is the first of three FC Dallas youngsters to make the list. Still only rated 65 overall with a potential of 82 the athletic defender is capable of playing both right back and centre back. While he’s far from the finished article with 62 short passing, 59 heading accuracy and 57 defensive awareness there is huge potential. Physically Che is already well developed with 77 jumping, 73 acceleration and 70 agility. He’s strong too for his age with 68 strength, and that will only improve with increased game time.
9. Ricardo Daniel Pepi (FC Dallas: ST)
A natural born finisher, 18-year-old Ricardo Daniel Pepi starts FIFA 22 with 72 finishing and 64 composure. Deadly in front of goal, the teenager has already bagged 3 goals in 4 appearances for the U.S national side and has started to attract the attention from some of Europe’s elite. Rated 67 overall with a potential of 82 Pepi is now a first team regular for FC Dallas and is best deployed as an out and out striker.
8. Joseph Scally (Borussia Monchengladbach: RB, LB)
After just four appearances for New York City in 2020, Joseph Scally made a shock move to Borussia Monchengladbach and has gone on to become a regular starter for the Bundesliga side. Predominantly right footed but comfortable using his weaker foot, Scally is capable of playing both right and left back. Rated 68 overall with a potential of 82 the teenager is blessed with 79 acceleration and sprint speed, 77 agility and 75 balance. Defensively, though, there’s serious room for improvement with tackling, awareness and interception attributes all lower than 65.
7. Jesus Ferreira (FC Dallas: CAM ST CM)
Still only 20-years-old Jesus Ferreira is closing in on 100 senior career appearances for both club and country. Currently a first team regular for FC Dallas in the MLS, Ferreira was born in Colombia but has made two appearances for the U.S national team after receiving citizenship in 2019. A creative attacking midfielder, also capable of playing as an out and out striker, he’s explosive with 85 sprint speed, 84 acceleration and 75 jumping. Blessed with 75 positioning and 72 vision Ferreira has the ability to drift into pockets of space between the lines and cause opposing defenders serious problems. He’s comfortable in front of goal too with 72 finishing. Other aspects of his game like passing, dribbling and ball control need to improve, though, if he’s to make it at the top level.
6. Brenden Russell Aaronson (Red Bull Salzburg: CAM, LM, CM)
Brenden Russell Aaronson is another talented U.S youngster making a name for himself in Europe. Currently playing in Austria for Red Bull Salzburg, Aaronson is an explosive creative midfielder with 81 acceleration and 80 sprint speed. Best deployed as a CAM, but also capable of playing LM and CM, Aaronson enjoys getting on the ball and running at defenders. With 73 dribbling and ball control he also has the ability to retain the ball in tight spaces. Rated 71 overall with 82 potential the 20-year-old provides excellent value for money with a €7 million release clause in FIFA 22.
5. Yunus Dimoara Musah (Valencia: RM, LM, CAM)
You’ll find few, if any, defenders capable of going stride for stride with winger Yunus Dimoara Musah, the kid is absolutely rapid. Blessed with 89 sprint speed and 86 acceleration in FIFA 22 the 18-year-old is fast becoming a first team regular for Valencia, where he’s already amassed almost 50 senior appearances. Naturally right footed, but with three star weaker foot rating, the highly rated teenager can play on either wing or through the middle as a CAM. Rated 71 overall with a potential of 82, there’s still plenty of room for improvement technically, particularly when it comes to end product with crossing and finishing attributes less than 70, but with the ball at his feet he’s
4. Konrad de la Fuente (Marseille: LW, RW)
If there’s one thing the U.S. aren’t short on its talented pacy wingers, and 19-year-old Konrad de la Fuente is probably the pick of the bunch in FIFA 22. Eagerly tracked by some of Europe’s elite, Fuente is currently plying his trade in France for Mareille following a brief spell at Barcelona. Capable of playing on either flank, Fuente enjoys running at defenders and is blessed with 75 dribbling and 73 ball control. He has end product too, unlike most players his age, with 74 crossing and 72 short passing. And, as previously mentioned, he has pace in abundance with 86 acceleration and 82 sprint speed which can be utilised to great effect in FIFA 22.
3. Caden Clark (New York Red Bulls: CAM, CM)
Still only rated 66 overall, but with a potential of 84, Caden Clark is tipped for the big time. A creative midfielder with 70 short passing Clark has the ability to unlock defences with precise through balls and break the lines with 78 acceleration and 73 sprint speed. After impressing for New York Red Bulls Clark was signed by Red Bull Leipzig but returned to their sister club in the MLS on loan to continue his development. Predominantly played as a CAM, the 18-year-old can also slot in a little deeper and utilise his 70 stamina and 70 short passing.
2. Sergiño Gianni Dest (Barcelona: RB, RW, LB)
There’s a reason Sergiño Dest was snapped up by Spanish giants Barcelona, and that’s because he’s one of the world’s most talented full-backs. A product of the famous Ajax academy Dest is already rated 76 overall with a potential of 85 and like most modern full backs the 20-year-old is much more effective going forward than he is defending. 87 pace, 83 dribbling and 73 crossing make him a serious threat in the final third. At the other end of the pitch there’s room for improvement with 70 standing tackles, 69 sliding tackles and 67 defensive awareness. If the youngster improves defensively in the years to come then he’ll be worth every penny of his €34.9 million release clause.
1. Giovanni Alejandro Reyna (Borussia Dortmund: CAM, LM, RM)
USA’s brightest talent for the second year running, Giovanni Reyna is going from strength to strength after cementing himself as a first team regular at Borussia Dortmund. His impressive performances at club level resulted in a first international cap towards the back end of 2020. A creative, attacking midfielder who’s technically outstanding, Reyna has 85 dribbling and 79 ball control attributes within FIFA 22.
Despite still only being 18-years-old the teenager has a terrific understanding of the game with 78 vision and 72 positioning. Add to that impressive physical attributes with 84 agility, 75 strength and 74 stamina and It’s easy to see why the American has a release clause of €41.8m, which still seems relatively cheap for a player rated 77 overall with a potential of 87.
This is by far the most promising crop of U.S youngsters in decades. From Scally and Dest in defence to Reyna and Clark in the final third, the Stars and Stripes have talent at both ends of the pitch, which in recent years has been hard to come by.
Looking for the best overall American soccer players in FIFA 22? Check out our list here.
