If you can’t beat 'em… get them to join you.

International recruits have been integral to the United States men’s national team since Jurgen Klinsmann took over in 2011. Indeed, foreign imports comprised almost a third of the 2014 World Cup roster: Jermaine Jones, Fabian Johnson, John Brooks, Julian Green and Timmy Chandler constituted the German-American bloc in Brazil, while Mix Diskerud (Norway) and Aron Johannsson (Iceland) rounded out the dual-national contingent.

Some, including Jorge Arangure Jr. of VICE Sports, have criticized Klinsmann for focusing too much on poaching foreign talent instead of revamping the development academies. But grass roots changes take time to bear fruit, as was the case when Germany won the 2014 World Cup ten years after then-manager Jurgen Klinsmann overhauled the German development system.

In the interim, it makes sense to recruit American talent—no matter how tenuous the connection—wherever it can be found. If their bona fides are good enough for the United States government, they’re good enough for the national team.

Accordingly, these rankings only consider dual-nationals who (a) are eligible for citizenship but have not yet become naturalized, or (b) are immediately eligible to play for the United States but could still cap-tie themselves to other soccer federations.

Players with a clear path to citizenship (as opposed to those who must undergo a lengthy rigmarole of bureaucracy) are rated higher for the purposes of these rankings, as are players less likely to be tempted by competing loyalties to other nations.

Obviously, raw potential is paramount. Form (taking into account the relative strength of their club) and age (anyone older than 25 stretches the definition of “prospect” and is therefore excluded from consideration) are the principal barometers here.

Lastly, because the United States is desperate for young talent up front, forwards are valued at a premium.

Enough with the transparency. On to the rankings.

*Individual player stats via MLSsoccer.com and Bundesliga.com/en/.

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