Five USMNT Stars Set to Dominate European Football in 2026-27

The U.S. men's national team player pool has never been deeper as the 2026–27 season draws near, with over 50 American players featured on squads throughout the UEFA confederation. 

Following a largely successful World Cup run, a number of USMNT players secured moves to European clubs, while others are poised for potential breakout campaigns after transferring last season as they look to cement their places in Mauricio Pochettino's national team setup.

Here, Sports Illustrated spotlights five USMNT players worth tracking in Europe this season.

Sebastian Berhalter and the Middlesbrough Trio

Setting aside Lionel Messi in 2025 and 2026, there was a strong argument that Sebastian Berhalter was the standout performer in Major League Soccer with the Vancouver Whitecaps. Combining relentless defensive energy with the ability to trigger rapid transitions and deliver precise long-range passes and shots, he became an indispensable figure on the league's top side over the past year and a half.

After making his mark at the 2026 World Cup and solidifying his role with the USMNT, Berhalter is heading into his debut European season with Middlesbrough, as the club chases Premier League promotion following their EFL Championship play-off final defeat to Hull City last term. 

Berhalter has already made an impression, registering an assist against Wrexham in his competitive bow in the Carabao Cup first round, and will aim to quickly cement himself as a genuine second-tier force, with ambitions of reaching the top flight as early as next season. Watching him also means catching his midfield partner Aidan Morris and fullback Max Arfsten, both emerging USMNT talents in their own right. 

Alex Freeman

One of the USMNT's standout performers at this summer's World Cup, Freeman enters his first complete European season after linking up with La Liga's Villarreal midway through the 2025–26 campaign. At the tournament, he netted a crucial goal in the USMNT's victory over Australia and completed 90 minutes in four of the team's five fixtures. 

Though he has yet to accumulate significant La Liga minutes, he is primed for a breakout campaign under head coach Iñigo Pérez, who took charge in June following Marcelino García's exit.

Freeman gives Villarreal a versatile wide defender capable of operating as a defensive winger or within a back three. After wrapping up the 2025–26 La Liga season in third place behind Barcelona and Real Madrid, the club is eager to challenge at the summit of the domestic table again while also targeting a deep Champions League run. 

Folarin Balogun

Folarin Balogun's situation remains uncertain. The USMNT's leading striker at the World Cup and for the foreseeable future is currently contracted to Ligue 1's Monaco, though he has been linked with Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League, along with clubs in the Bundesliga, Saudi Arabia, and Türkiye. For now, however, he remains focused on Monaco and improving upon the 13 league goals he managed last season. 

Should he remain at Monaco, he could mount a serious challenge for the Ligue 1 Golden Boot after placing fourth among the top scorers last season — though he still trailed Esteban Lepaul, who bagged 21 league goals for Rennes, by a considerable margin.

Wherever Balogun ends up, he is guaranteed to be compelling viewing and will almost certainly be playing European football, with Monaco set for the Conference League and other potential destinations likely offering Champions League or Europa League action.

Christian Pulisic

AC Milan remains one of the world's elite clubs despite their recent struggles for silverware and relevance. And Christian Pulisic continues to rank among the very best USMNT players, even after a difficult year marked by injury and inconsistent international form. 

Nevertheless, watching him battle back to full fitness makes for compelling viewing, with hopes that he can help propel Milan back into the upper tier of Serie A after finishing fifth last season and eighth the year before. On a personal level, the 27-year-old winger must also rediscover his sharpness following a prolonged goal drought at the tail end of last season and a disappointing World Cup showing. 

With New York City FC openly expressing their desire to bring Pulisic to MLS, any sustained dip in form could accelerate his departure from Europe. In many respects, the 2026–27 season feels like a pivotal one for Pulisic, particularly in Italy. 

Zavier Gozo

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Nothing is confirmed just yet, but all signs point to Zavier Gozo making the move to Premier League club Crystal Palace from Real Salt Lake. While the 18-year-old uncapped USMNT prospect is unlikely to walk straight into the starting lineup, he could well earn first-team minutes in the Premier League this season. 

A dynamic winger and fullback with the ability to drift inside, Gozo has contributed six goals and five assists across 16 MLS appearances for Real Salt Lake this season and has demonstrated impressive positional flexibility. He was in contention for the USMNT's World Cup roster and, though he narrowly missed the cut, he could factor into the autumn windows and beyond. 

While tuning in to Crystal Palace's weekly fixtures may not guarantee regular Gozo appearances, it will certainly provide a window into potential USMNT captain Chris Richards, who continues to distinguish himself as a top-tier centerback in both the Premier League and on the international stage.