Respect and recognition for CONCACAF continues to pour in following a 2014 World Cup campaign that saw three of the confederation's sides advance out of their respective groups, with one qualifying for the quarterfinal round.
On Monday, Goal.com unveiled its "Goal 50" list for 2014, in which they rank the 50 best players in the world for the fall-to-summer season just completed. And CONCACAF landed a player each from its top three teams at the World Cup.
US national team and Sporting Kansas City defender Matt Besler (No. 46) is the lone American to make the list. Mexico's Rafa Marquez checks in at No. 39, while Joel Campbell is rewarded for Costa Rica's near-semifinal run at the World Cup with a spot at No. 31.
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In other relations to North and Central America, the New York Red Bulls' Tim Cahill respresents Australia in the No. 50 spot.
In contrast, not a single English player made the 2014 list. This comes on the heels of only one Englishman — recent New York City FC Designated Player Frank Lampard — making the list in 2013, at No. 50.
Whether you think these players are among the world's 50 "best," they unquestionably had better years than many more highly though of — and significantly higher paid — big-name stars.
For a deeper explanation of the "Goal 50" selection process, click here.
What other MLS or USMNT players deserved to make the list? Tim Howard? Clint Dempsey? David Villa? What about the Englishmen? Daniel Sturridge? Raheem Sterling? Wayne Rooney? Let us know in the comments below.
