When I first starting thinking about this, I assumed that, as a soccer historian, my roster would be built mostly of historical players. But, as I went through the exercise, I found myself inevitably drawn to those players that had the most impact on me during my time as a soccer football fan. I was lucky enough to live in DC at the advent of MLS so I got to be at RFK to see those legendary D.C. United clubs of the late nineties. So, I could have been perfectly happily building an entire 4-4-2 diamond around all those players. But, I’m not even that much of a homer and it wouldn’t be interesting to you, dear reader!

GK - Hope Solo (USWN)

This one was tough. The best goalkeeper of all time, right? But, to be honest, Nadine Angerer possibly might have the edge in that regard. Angerer has multiple Bundesliga titles, two World Cups (including not giving up a single goal in the 2007 tourney), plus a FIFA World Player of the Year award in 2013. Solo, though, has multiple gold medals along with a World Cup and a string of Algarve Cups to her name. The edge, for me, goes to Solo. Her dominance as a goalkeeper was not only apparent in goal but also as to how much her appearance on a roster made opponents change their tactics.

RWB - Tony Sanneh (DC United / Hertha BSC / Nürnberg, USMNT)

I loved watching Sanneh range up and down the right side for D.C. United and the US national team during the late nineties. He was a force both on defense and in the attack. One of my favorite memories is Sanneh whipping a cross into the box and Brian McBride heading it home in the United States’ 3-2 win over Portugal at the 2002 World Cup. Sadly, Sanneh’s trajectory as a major star was undoubtedly curtailed by numerous injuries during his career.

CB - Eddie Pope (DC United / USMNT)

Pope was one of the best US defenders right from the start of his pro career in 1996. The US Hall of Famer scored a golden goal to win the first MLS Cup final for D.C. United and went on to win two more MLS Cups with the club. Steady Eddie was a member of the USMNT for a decade and started all 82 games he played. He was a consistent, world-class defender and leader for both club and country.

CB - Franz Beckenbauer (Bayern Munich / NY Cosmos / West Germany)

Beckenbauer is one of the greatest players ever and likely the best center back. Credited with inventing the modern sweeper position, Beckenbauer’s clubs racked up multiple honors and he led West Germany to the World Cup in 1974. He was also an accomplished manager winning the 1990 World Cup with West Germany. As such, Beckenbauer will act as my team’s player-manager.

CB - Marcelo Balboa (Colorado Rapids / USMNT)

While at San Diego State, Balboa played under an amateur contract with the San Diego Nomads and was named the 1988 Western Soccer Alliance MVP. He received his first cap that year and anchored the defense for the USMNT during the nineties. Balboa signed with MLS while a member of the national team and was allocated to Colorado Rapids where he played for six seasons. Balboa’s presence provides world-class defense in combination with attacking acumen.

LWB - Dan Creel (Protagonist Soccer)

It me! I moved to rural Mississippi as a kid after living in England during my earliest years. Because of where I lived, I had no ability to play soccer while growing up except for the one year our family lived in Louisiana. In my limited time on the field, I was good on the wings with my long legs giving me the ability to stride up and down the field quickly. I should be on the right but I’m putting myself on the left to allow Sanneh his natural side.

Dan Creel made his own illustration to be sure we understood the complexities of his set-up!

CM - Michelle Akers (USWNT)

FIFA’s Player of the Century. Member of the US national team for its first-ever game in 1985 (although she sat out due to injury) and scored the first-ever goal for the US three days later. Hermann Trophy winner in 1988 while at Central Florida. Scored both goals to win the first Women’s World Cup in 1991 and was on the US squad that won the first-ever Olympic gold medal for women’s soccer in 1996. She added another World Cup title in 1999 before retiring. Akers was a dominant striker in her early years before moving to central midfield after the 1991 World Cup and ended her career at holding midfield. She will lock down the middle of the field, provide potent service, and score goals. What more can you ask?

AM - Marco Etcheverry (DC United / Boliva National Team)

El Diablo is considered one of the greatest Bolivian players ever and one of the greatest MLS players of all-time. He helped lead La Verde to qualify for the 1994 World Cup. The team’s first since the 1950 tournament. A fierce competitor, Etcheverry was the leader of the great DC teams of the late nineties and could score amazing goals along with driving the club’s potent attack.

SS - Jaime Moreno (DC United / Bolivia National Team)

I couldn’t leave out Etcheverry’s partner and fellow Bolivian. Moreno came to D.C. United near the end of the 1996 season on loan from Middlesbrough and helped take the club from a mediocre season to the playoffs. And, the rest is history. Moreno was a star striker for the club through the 2000s and he became the first MLS player to score 100 goals and have 100 assists. Moreno was truly a fun player to watch and, beyond being a great striker himself, was also able to make the other strikers he played with even better.

SS - Joan Dunlap (University North Carolina / USWNT)

In 1980, the US Soccer Federation held the first National Women’s Challenge Cup (aka the US Women’s Open Cup). The final was held on June 27 at Flamingo Park in Miami between the Pacific Coast International Sharks of Seattle and the favored Camp Springs club from Maryland. The game was tied 1-1 at the end of 90 minutes plus an additional 30 minutes of extra time. During the penalty shootout, Joan Dunlap made the fourth penalty kick for the Sharks to give them the championship. Dunlap, five and half months pregnant, played the entire game. After giving birth to her son, Johnny, Joan worked as a babysitter in Seattle until she received a surprise call from Anson Dorrance. The Tar Heel coach needed help at forward for UNC’s quest for a third consecutive NCAA title and offered Dunlap a full scholarship. As a full-time student, athlete, and single mother, Dunlap helped the Tar Heels win titles in 1983 and 1984. In 1986, Dunlap was called up to the US national team and scored a goal in her first match. That game was the first-ever win for the US as they beat Canada 2-0.

CF/ST - Marta (Brazil Women’s National Team)

The greatest female footballer of all time. She has been named FIFA player of the year six times and has triple-digit goals in both league and international play. Marta is a world-class playmaker with amazing technical skills on the ball and a devastating striker with an unparalleled ability to score goals. She can take a mediocre team and make them great. Imagine what she can do on this squad!