Black History Month

In honor of Black History Month, these soccer players exemplify black excellence in the sport. This list is only based on African Americans/Black Americans. From breakout seasons to consistent improvement, here are the current Top 10 Black Soccer Players 2024 Rankings.

Top 10 Best Black Soccer Players 2024

10. Erik Palmer-Brown

Club: Panathinaikos

Starting the Top 10 Best Black Soccer Players is Erik Palmer-Brown. After an impressive brief MLS stint with Kansas, Palmer-Brown’s first taste of Europe was a loan spell with Porto B before English giants Manchester City snapped up the then-20-year-old.

However, despite the move to Manchester City, Palmer-Brown didn’t make an appearance for the club, undergoing multiple loan spells. His breakthrough came during a loan spell at Ligue 1 side Troyes, where he made a significant impact, amassing a total of 57 appearances across various competitions.

Despite his commendable contributions, Troyes suffered relegation from Ligue 1 in May, prompting the 26-year-old to seek first-division football elsewhere. In light of this, the former Sporting KC homegrown defender secured a four-year contract with Panathinaikos, one of Greece’s premier teams.

9. DeAndre Yedlin

Club: Inter Miami

DeAndre Yedlin, currently with Inter Miami, has had a strong career in European clubs like Tottenham and Newcastle. He’s now a key defender alongside Lionel Messi. Though not in the limelight, Yedlin plays a crucial role in Inter Miami’s team.

Since joining in 2022, he’s been a dependable force. In 2022, Yedlin made it to the MLS All-Star team, highlighting his skills among the league’s top 26 players.

The 2023 season saw him start 25 out of 28 games, contributing to Miami’s League Cup win. As he heads into his final year with Miami, Yedlin has proven himself on the field and become a respected team leader, leaving a lasting impact.

8. Zack Steffen

Club: Colorado Rapids

Now at #5 on the Best Black Soccer Players list is Zack Steffen. Steffen held the undisputed position as the primary goalkeeper for Championship club Middlesbrough in the 2022-23 season, on a loan arrangement from Manchester City. His remarkable stint included 44 appearances, during which he managed to secure 10 clean sheets.

Despite an impressive tally of 45 matches for Boro in the 2022/23 season, the 28-year-old found it challenging to secure a spot in the highly competitive Manchester City lineup.

As a result, Steffen opted for a return to the United States, joining Major League Soccer (MLS) side Colorado Rapids. This move back to MLS from Manchester City is a strategic decision for Steffen, offering him valuable playing time on the field. 

7. Chris Richards

Club: Crystal Palace

At just 23 years old, Chris Richards is proving himself as a promising center-back for Crystal Palace. Since signing a five-year contract on July 27, 2022, he’s seamlessly transitioned to the Premier League.

Formerly with Bayern Munich and Dallas FC, he joined Crystal Palace for a €12,000,000 transfer fee. In the 2023-24 season, Richards has made 12 appearances for a squad rich in defensive talent.

Notably, he averages 2.49 tackles and 1.19 interceptions per 90 minutes, along with 3.90 clearances and 3 clean sheets. Chris Richards is important for his club and national team, consistently showing promise.

6. Kellyn Acosta

Club: Free Agent

Kellyn Acosta is a midfielder who’s good at a bit of everything, not afraid to mix it up on the field. He’s proven himself on different teams with different expectations like FC Dallas, Colorado Rapids, and LAFC.

He’s the kind of player you’d want on your team, keeping things in check in the middle of the field. After playing 78 games for LAFC between 2022 and 2023, Acosta decided to move on, becoming one of the top free agents in the MLS for the 2024 season.

Teams like the Chicago Fire, Sporting Kansas City, and Colorado Rapids are all eager to have him on board, thanks to his standout performances and versatility during his time with LAFC.

5. Auston Trusty

Club: Sheffield United

Now starting off the Top 5 of the Best Black Soccer Players is Austy Trusty. Trusty showcased his defensive prowess in the Championship with Birmingham last season. In 44 matches, he conceded only 52 goals, keeping 13 clean sheets and earning the Player of the Season title from Birmingham supporters.

This success propelled Trusty back into the USMNT radar and earned him a move to the Premier League with Sheffield United, where he has secured a starting position in the backline.

In the current 2023-24 season, Trusty has featured in all of Sheffield United’s Premier League matches, conceding 28 goals while managing to keep a clean sheet.

Despite Sheffield’s challenges upon their return to the top league, Trusty has been notably impressive in his debut Premier League season.

4. Mark McKenzie

Club: Genk

Mark McKenzie, originally a talent nurtured by the Philadelphia Union, has transformed into a formidable central defender for the powerhouse Genk in the Belgian Jupiler Pro League.

Following his pivotal role in securing the Belgian Cup during his debut season, the center-back showcased an outstanding performance in the 2022-23 season. Participating in 36 matches in the Pro League, he conceded 39 goals but managed to keep 8 clean sheets.

In the current season, McKenzie has maintained his defensive prowess, featuring in 15 matches and conceding a mere 12 goals while securing 4 clean sheets. Impressively, he registers 0.86 tackles and 1.43 interceptions per 90 minutes on the field. 

3. Cameron Carter-Vickers

Club: Celtic

Beginning the Top 3 of the Best Black Soccer Players list is Cameron Carter-Vickers. Carter-Vickers has been a reliable and consistent defender for Celtic. He recently solidified his commitment by signing a new five-and-a-half-year deal with the reigning Scottish Premiership champions, ensuring his presence at the club until 2029.

Initially joining the Celts on loan from Tottenham in 2021 and later making the move permanent, Carter-Vickers has been a defensive cornerstone, amassing 101 appearances and scoring five goals.

His contributions have been integral to Celtic’s success, securing two Scottish Premiership titles, two League Cups, and the Scottish Cup. As a crucial part of the treble-winning squad from the previous season, Carter-Vickers remains a vital asset as Celtic strives for further glory in the title-rich 2024 season.

2. Tyler Adams

Club: Bournemouth

Tyler Adams has solidified his status as one of the best young American soccer players in the world, delivering impressive performances for both club and country in the previous season.

His standout World Cup display justified his appointment as the USMNT captain and earned him the title of U.S. Soccer Player of the Year in 2022. Unfortunately, a season-ending injury late into the 2022-23 season became a significant factor in Leeds’ relegation.

Despite being on the verge of a move to Chelsea in the summer, with talks of a £20m ($25.53m) clause being activated, the deal didn’t materialize. Instead, Tyler Adams completed a transfer to Bournemouth, where he is currently sidelined and recovering from a hamstring injury.

1. Weston McKennie

Club: Juventus

Now at #1 on the Top 10 Best Black Soccer Players 2024 Rankings is Weston McKennie. Following a less-than-impressive loan spell at Leeds United in the 2022-23 season, where he struggled to make a significant impact amid the club’s Premier League relegation, McKennie faced the initial prospect of being available for transfer upon his return to the Allianz Stadium for the 2023-24 season.

However, he has remarkably turned the tide at Juventus this season, displaying resilience and determination. McKennie’s resurgence has seen him emerge as one of the standout players for Juventus, solidifying his place as a key figure.

Playing for a prestigious club like Juventus is a significant achievement, and McKennie has demonstrated throughout this season that he comprehends what it takes to achieve success. He has been an undisputed starter from the season’s onset, proving himself as a vital player for one of the world’s biggest football clubs.

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