The US women’s national team has dominated the international scene for as long as anyone can remember and has one of the toughest talents to ever play the sport.
Players like Kristine Lilly and Alex Morgan have provided tremendous entertainment over the years, and the past decade has seen exponential growth in women’s football – leading to broken records and a sharp increase in goals.
In 2013, Abby Wambach surpassed Mia Hamm’s legendary record of 158 goals for the national team to become the new record shooter. Since then, no player has broken Wambach’s record – although Carli Lloyd may be the pick.
Here, 90 minutes spins you through USWNT’s highest scorers ever …
United States of America vs. Netherlands: Final – FIFA World Cup 2019 for women France / Richard Heathcote / Getty Images
After scoring in the 2019 FIFA World Cup, Megan Rapinoe’s celebration became a gesture heard around the world – and no one could think of that pose without associating it with the USWNT legend.
That year, Rapinoe won the Ballon d’Or Feminine and the title of Best FIFA Women’s Player, and she has been in every major tournament since making her USWNT debut in 2011.
With plenty of years left in mind, expect Rapinoe’s goals to rise sharply.
Shannon MacMillan # 8 … / Tom Hauck / Getty Images
Shannon MacMillan first made his debut for USWNT in 1993 and went on to score 60 goals in 175 appearances.
She stands as a world champion, Olympic gold and silver medalist and was named Athlete of the Year in 2002 for her contributions to the national team.
At the time of his retirement in 2005, MacMillan was USWNT’s sixth leading goal scorer.
Christen Press during Nigeria vs USA in 2021 WNT Summer Series / Brad Smith / ISI Photos / Getty Images
After the WC 2019, Christen Press became a favorite for the fans.
She first appeared on the national team in 2013 during an international friendly against Scotland and has scored 61 goals for USWNT. As a regular at every major competition, she has the World Cup and Olympic Games under her belt.
Cindy Parlow during her time with USWNT / Jonathan Ferrey / Getty Images
After a successful career as a USWNT player, Cindy Parlow is now president of the United States Football Association.
She stands as a two-time Olympic gold medalist and once FIFA world champion. She withdrew from football after scoring a total of 75 goals for the national team in all competitions.
In 2013, she made her transition from player to head coach by leading the Portland Thorns to their first championship title during their first season of the National Women’s Soccer League.
Tiffeny Milbrett Under USA Women vs. Ukraine / Jonathan Ferrey / Getty Images
Tiffeny Milbrett played for USWNT’s squad for 20 years for many years before switching to the 1995 senior lineup.
That same year, she joined the team at the World Cup and proved to be a very talented list. She went on to win and win gold at the 1996 Olympics and scored the match-winning goal in the decisive game against Australia.
She went on to score 100 goals in all competitions and was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in May 2018.
retired player Michelle Akers before Belgium against USA / Meg Oliphant / Getty Images
In 1985, Michelle Akers made her debut for the United States women’s national team and quickly played an integrated role in future success.
She participated in the 1991 and 1999 World Cup victories, and won gold at the 1996 Olympics.
In addition to lifting the trophy at the 1991 World Cup, Aker’s Golden Shoe won after scoring 10 goals in the tournament. She was honored as a FIFA Female Player of the Century 2002.
Alex Morgan with USA during 2021 WNT Summer Series / Brad Smith / ISI Photos / Getty Images
Alex Morgan has become a global icon since she first put on the USA women’s national team jersey.
Her debut came against Mexico in March 2010, and she has been part of three USWNT World Cup lists, which most famously did and celebrated in the 2019 tournament in France.
Morgan’s first real impact was at the 2011 World Cup, when she scored in the semifinals and final despite being the youngest player in the squad.
Carli Lloyd with USA during 2021 WNT Summer Series / Chuck Burton / Getty Images
NJ / NY Gotham midfielder Carli Lloyd has been a part of USWNT history since making his debut against Ukraine in 2005 and scoring his first international goal in 2006 against Taiwan.
Lloyd has scored much more than a century of goals and has surprisingly played his country more than 300 times. She is a two-time Olympic gold medalist and several winners of the World Cup.
retired football player Kristine Lilly / Meg Oliphant / Getty Images
Kristine Lilly made her USWNT debut back in 1987, when she was still in high school.
As one of the youngest players to join the squad, Lilly worked hard to soon become one of the most successful. In an incredible 354 appearances, she scored 130 goals – and became a national icon when she did so.
She played in five editions of the FIFA World Cup for women, starting in 1991, and lifted the trophy during her first year and 1999. Lilly is also an Olympic gold medalist, winning in 1996 and 2004, while winning a silver medal in 2000.
retired football player Mia Hamm / Meg Oliphant / Getty Images
The legendary Mia Hamm made her first USWNT appearance in 1987 at the age of 15.
She was part of the US women’s national team until 2004 and scored 158 goals to become the second leading goal scorer in the team’s history.
Hamm also played in four World Cups and three Olympic Games and ended his distinguished career as one of the most decorated players in national football.
retired football player Abby Wambach / Chris Graythen / Getty Images
Since Abby Wambach broke Hamm’s record in 2013, he stands as the USA’s female national team leading goal scorer in all competitions.
She made her debut for USWNT in 2001 against Germany, before winning every major imaginable during a long and incredibly successful career. Her first international came on April 27, 2002 during a friendly against Finland – and she went on to finish an international legend with 184.
