GOAL ranks the top three soccer players produced by every state in the South, including Dempsey, Richards and Graham Zusi
Welcome to the South. American soccer, traditionally, has been concentrated in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic states, the Pacific Northwest and California. But there are some ballers from down south, too. Texas, in particular, has delivered top-level talent, with Clint Dempsey, Stu Holden and Omar Gonzalez – all seminal figures in the American game – coming from of the Lone Star State.
The South has contributed plenty. Florida, Alabama, Virginia and Maryland – if we're being a little generous geographically – have all had their part to play in the story of American soccer. And what they perhaps lack in number, they more than make up for with a little bit of southern grit. As Dempsey once said: "You don't know where I'm from, dawg."
Some regions in the U.S. have deeper player pools than others, so who is the best of the best? Which state has been the most fertile ground for developing American soccer talent?
GOAL ranks the top three men's soccer players from each of the 50 states. Next up, the South. Previous: Northeast
AFPAlabama: Chris Richards
Hometown: Birmingham
Clubs played for: Bayern Munich, Hoffenheim, Crystal Palace
USMNT caps: 33
Why he’s No. 1: Richards is proof of how finding the right club can change your career. Hyped by American fans when he joined Bayern Munich in 2018, Richards was too raw to make it in Bavaria at first. A middling loan to Hoffenheim followed, but he has since become a standout under Oliver Glasner for an excellent Crystal Palace team. These days, he's a top name on the teamsheet for the USMNT, too. Certainly, a bigger move is on the way for a real talent.
Runners-up:
2. Tanner Tessmann (Birmingham): Coming into his own at Lyon, but still needs to show he can do it for a full season.
3. Aron Johannsson (Mobile): A dual-national who rather lost his way, Johannsson had all of the talent, but never quite put everything together.
AdvertisementGettyArkansas: Thomas Roberts
Hometown: Little Rock
Clubs played for: FC Dallas, North Texas SX, Columbus Crew 2, Stabaek FC, North Carolina FC
USMNT caps: 0
Why he’s No. 1: Arkansas is home to any number of NFL and NBA stars. Soccer really isn't the state's calling card. Thomas Roberts, now of the USL's North Carolina FC, was a youth national, but is on his sixth club at the age of 24.
Runners-up:
2. Parker Maher (Fort Smith): A brief USL spell but little else for the Missouri State talent.
3. Central Arkansas (Conway): OK, so not an individual player. But shout out to the Bears as the only Division 1 men's college program in the state.
GettyDelaware: Mark McKenzie
Hometown: Bear
Clubs played for: Bethlehem Steel, Philadelphia Union, Genk, Toulouse
USMNT caps: 22
Why he’s No. 1: Where do you want to start? McKenzie is the epitome of an American homegrown centerback in the modern era. He starred for a number of club teams before moving swiftly through college, MLS and then into Europe. These days, he is a regular for Toulouse and a presumptive starter for the USMNT at the World Cup – assuming he stays fit.
Runners-up:
2. Anthony Fontana (Newark): A seasoned journeyman who contributed to a Supporters' Shield win for the Union and flirted with a European career.
3. Rob Smith (Wilmington): One of the original MLS midfielders, Smith played for the Crew and also featured for the U.S. youth national teams.
GettyFlorida: Graham Zusi
Hometown: Longwood
Clubs played for: Central Florida Kraze, Sporting Kansas City
USMNT caps: 55
Why he’s No. 1: Now we're talking. Florida is a sporting hotbed in general, and it has made a fine contribution to soccer, too. Zusi enjoyed a wonderful MLS career, playing 355 times for Sporting KC, serving as both a winger and right back. His impact at the 2014 World Cup simply cannot be understated, as Zusi provided two assists for a solid USMNT. Seven All-Star appearances, two MLS best XIs, and one of the top assist providers in the league, Zusi had a legendary career.
Runners-up:
2. Dax McCarty (Winter Park): Could have earned the top spot. McCarty was a fantastic MLS journeyman who slotted in wherever he played. A word, in particular, for his marking of Lionel Messi in Atlanta's win over Miami in the 2024 MLS playoffs.
3. Aidan Morris (Fort Lauderdale): Give it a year or two, and Morris might be higher. He had slipped slightly since joining Middlesbrough, but remains a solid performer for the Championship club. The question is: what's next?
