With 2020 approaching, Goal has decided to pick out the best players to have played for the national team over the past 10 years

Getty ImagesGK: Tim Howard

July 1, 2014 was not the day that Tim Howard sealed his place in USMNT history; his legacy was secure, even before then. But still, it was the day that defined his legend, a performance that fans all over the world will never forget.

Howard's 16-save performance against Belgium remains one of the best in World Cup history, as the goalkeeper etched his name in the record books with the game of a lifetime. It was a career-defining moment for a player that has had so many of them, as he sealed his place among predecessors like Kasey Keller, Brad Friedel and Tony Meola.

A starter at the USMNT's two World Cups this decade, Howard's heroics make him an easy choice for this team's goalkeeping spot.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesRB: Steve Cherundolo

Steve Cherundolo was only active for the first two years of this decade, but the best fullback the USMNT has ever seen still earned his spot on this list thanks to his efforts at the start of the qualifying period.

A member of the USMNT from 1999-2012, Cherundolo was a fixture for the U.S. at the 2010 World Cup, starting all three group games as well as the knockout stage defeat to Ghana. The long-time Hannover defender played every minute for the USMNT in South Africa, assisting Landon Donovan in the group-stage draw with Slovenia.

'Dolo' went on to feature at the 2011 Gold Cup as well playing each and every minute through to that finale. In that final defeat against Mexico, Cherundolo was forced out just 11 minutes in after setting up a Michael Bradley goal three minutes prior.

Getty Images SportCB: John Brooks

In some ways, John Brooks' USMNT career still feels like a major case of 'what if?', but that does not take away from the fact that the Wolfsburg defender is the most talented centerback of the decade.

Brooks announced himself onto the scene just before the 2014 World Cup before his big moment came in the group stage opener. With time dwindling and the U.S. in need of a goal, the Berlin-born defender stepped up to head home the goal of a lifetime, salvaging a draw against Ghana.

While that would prove his big World Cup highlight, his best efforts came in the Copa America two years later, as Brooks put together a series of standout performances against South America's best to solidify his place as the USMNT's best defender.

Had he avoided the injury bug throughout the past few years, that status would be all the more secure but, even with a new generation coming in, Brooks remains a USMNT fixture when healthy.

Mark J. RebilasCB: Geoff Cameron

Whenever the U.S. needed to plug a hole on the backline, Geoff Cameron was the guy to do it.

The former Stoke City defender broke through under Jurgen Klinsmann, featuring as a centerback, right back and even defensive midfielder at times. But it was in the center of defense where Cameron was at his best, as he started the first two games of the 2014 World Cup as a central defender before starting every game of the 2016 Copa America.

Cameron's versatility was vital for the USMNT throughout the latter half of the decade, despite the fact he never featured at a Gold Cup.