Would the USMNT actually win the World Cup if the best U.S. athletes played soccer?
ESPN · 2026-07-27
The premise that the USMNT would dominate the World Cup if America's best athletes played soccer is critically flawed, despite the intuitive appeal of converting top talents like Lamar Jackson or LeBron James. The article argues that while elite athleticism is beneficial, soccer demands specific physical profiles and skills that don't universally translate from other American sports. Lionel Messi, at 5-foot-7 and 148 pounds, exemplifies how smaller stature with a low center of gravity, short-area quickness, and exceptional vision can be an immense asset in soccer, a stark contrast to the physical requirements of basketball or American football.
Data from ESPN FC's top 100 players reveals distinct physical averages by position: goalkeepers, center backs, and center forwards average 6-foot-2 and over 183 pounds, while fullbacks, midfielders, and wingers average 5-foot-11 and just over 160 pounds. This highlights that while some soccer positions favor height and power, others prioritize agility and endurance, often correlating with a lighter build necessary for continuous running. Attempting to adapt NFL or NBA stars like Ja'marr Chase (205 pounds) to soccer's less bulky physique, or expecting 6-foot-6 basketball players to become world-class soccer players beyond niche positions, is unrealistic. The recent US men's flag football team's victory over an NFL-star-studded team further illustrates that even within related sports, specialized skills and body types tailored to the game's specific demands often outweigh generalized athletic prowess.
_The full article also explores the potential for a different allocation of American athletic talent to produce elite soccer stars in positions requiring devastating athleticism, akin to Erling Haaland or Cristiano Ronaldo._