The 2025-26 Americans Abroad season has come and gone but featured many impressive seasons for both U.S. men’s and women’s national team players.
From Haji Wright’s promotion to the English Premier League to Weston McKennie’s standout campaign in Serie A to Phallon Tullis-Joyce’s stellar season with Manchester United, there was plenty for American soccer fans to be excited about heading into a busy international summer schedule.
Chris Richards took his game to new heights with Crystal Palace and Alyssa Thompson delivered an impactful first season in the WSL.
With the European season now over for the USMNT and USWNT contingent, here is a closer look at SBI’s Best XI for the 2025-26 club season:
2025-26 SBI Americans Abroad Best XI
Phallon Tullis-Joyce, Manchester United
The U.S. women’s national team is still seeking a consistent No. 1 goalkeeper and it’s hard to argue against Phallon Tullis-Joyce.
Tullis-Joyce made 38 appearances for WSL side Manchester United across all competitions, producing 17 clean sheets The veteran shot-stopper helped the Red Devils make a deep run in the UEFA Women’s Champions League while also reaching the Women’s League Cup Final in England.
Although Man United did not seal a return to the UWCL for 2026-27, Tullis-Joyce finished the campaign as one of the club’s standout performers. Expect to see her name called for USWNT duty this June.
Joe Scally, Borussia Moenchengladbach
If it does end up being Joe Scally’s last season with Bundesliga club Borussia Moenchengladbach, then it went down as a positive one.
Scally logged 35 appearances this season for Gladbach, helping the club rebound from a tough first half of the season to seal Bundesliga safety. The former NYCFC academy product logged 2,792 minutes of action, scoring two goals and adding three assists.
He remained a key leader in the squad and ultimately stayed as one of the Bundesliga’s more consistent fullbacks.
Westerlo’s Bryan Reynolds excelled in the Belgian First Division this season and earned an honorable mention nod for this spot.
Chris Richards, Crystal Palace
It’s been a memorable 12 months for USMNT centerback Chris Richards.
Richards helped Crystal Palace lift its first two trophies in club history by winning the English FA Cup and FA Community Shield. In addition, the Alabama native played a key role in the Eagles’ first-ever European run, a trip to the UEFA Conference League Final.
Richards logged 50 appearances in Oliver Glasner’s squad, setting a new career-high for a single campaign. His 4,221 minutes of playing time was a testament to Richards’ continued work rate and durability as the USMNT’s leading centerback.
Auston Trusty, Celtic
The trophies and success continued to come for Auston Trusty in Scotland.
Trusty made 41 appearances for Celtic this season, helping Martin O’Neill’s squad repeat as Scottish Premiership champions and also win the Scottish Cup. The veteran defender stepped in for the injured Cameron Carter-Vickers and earned a consistent starting job his again, becoming one of the top center backs in the SPFL.
Trusty’s stellar season could be what boosts his international career, especially leading into the FIFA World Cup.
Sergino Dest, PSV
Sergino Dest’s versatility earned him a spot in our annual Best XI.
Dest made 38 appearances and played 3,004 minutes for Dutch side PSV, helping the club win the Eredivisie title for a third year in a row. Despite missing time earlier this year due to a hamstring injury, Dest logged two goals and eight assists for the campaign, remaining as one of the league’s dynamic fullbacks.
Dest can play as a left back, right back, or wing back, but slots into our list on the left side of the backline.
Aidan Morris, Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough has relied heavily on Aidan Morris this season and Morris has not let them down.
Morris made 45 appearances for the EFL Championship side this season, logging 3,622 minutes and three assists. A former MLS Cup winner with the Columbus Crew, Morris has adjusted nicely to England’s second-tier, becoming one of the more durable midfielders in the Championship.
Whatever Kim Hellberg has asked of from Morris, he’s answered the call in a big way. With Middlesbrough losing in the promotion final to Hull City, it will be interesting if Morris stays at Boro for another season or makes the jump to the Premier League.
Venezia’s Gianluca Busio earned a shout for his impactful run in helping the club seal Serie A promotion.
Weston McKennie, Juventus
Every time Weston McKennie has been doubted or written off in Italy, he’s bounced back in a major way.
McKennie scored nine goals and added eight assists for the Bianconeri, totaling 3,921 minutes and 48 appearances. Luciano Spalletti has used McKennie in a number of different ways in his squad and no matter where the 27-year-old is, he’s shown zero drop off in his play.
An impactful season earned McKennie a new contract heading into 2026-27, a major reward for his hard work on the field.
Tanner Tessmann took another major step forward with French club Lyon, featuring in multiple competitions and helping the club seal a UEFA Champions League qualifying round spot.
Alyssa Thompson, Chelsea
Not many players have been able to make an immediate impact in the WSL but Alyssa Thompson was a rare exception in 2025-26.
Thompson scored nine goals and contributed four assists for Chelsea, delivering a strong first season abroad. The USWNT attacker set a new career-high in goals and appearances, helping Chelsea seal a return to the UEFA Women’s Champions League and also lift the Women’s League Cup trophy.
Thompson will remain a key figure for the Blues heading into next season, but first is expected to be part of the USWNT’s trip to Brazil this June.
Lily Yohannes also delivered a sensational first season with a new club, shining for French side Lyon across multiple competitions. The young midfielder won the domestic double with Lyon and also set a new career-high in appearances and assists.
Folarin Balogun, Monaco
The USMNT’s No. 1 striker sealed his spot in our list by delivering one of his best seasons abroad.
Folarin Balogun tallied 19 goals and five assists in 43 appearances for Ligue 1 club Monaco, continuing a productive run in France. 13 of Balogun’s goals came in France’s top-flight while he also added five in the UEFA Champions League, helping Monaco reach the knockout stage.
Although Balogun had a slow end to the campaign, he enjoyed one of the best runs of his career, scoring in eight-consecutive matches in the spring.
Haji Wright, Coventry City
The goals just kept on coming for Haji Wright this season.
Wright helped Coventry City earn promotion to the Premier League after notching 18 goals in 43 appearances in Frank Lampard’s squad. Despite a dry spell over the winter months, Wright found his form again over the final few weeks of the season, capping off another stellar campaign in England’s second-tier.
Wright will now aim to lead the USMNT this summer before earning the first EPL opportunity of his career.
Ricardo Pepi, PSV
Ricardo Pepi is a three-time Eredivisie winner after helping PSV reclaim the trophy this campaign.
Pepi scored 19 goals for the club in all competitions as Peter Bosz’s squad sealed a return to the UEFA Champions League. The USMNT forward has now produced back-to-back double digit goalscoring seasons, taking his career-best to a new high.
With Fulham reportedly next on the cards, it will be intriguing to see whether or not Pepi can translate his game over to the Premier League level.
Alex Zendejas registered double-digit goals for the fifth-straight season, continuing his sensational run with Club America. Zendejas scored 13 goals and added eight assists in 41 appearances, boosting himself into the USMNT’s World Cup squad.
What do you think of our Americans Abroad Best XI? Who are you happy to see included? Who did we leave out that you feel deserved a place? Who was your Player of the Season?
Share your thoughts below.