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• Because there are always issues of tactical fit when assembling the national team for friendlies and qualifiers, club form takes a slight precedence over form with the United States.

• Player positioning does not matter, but versatility does. Players who can fill multiple roles are always a valuable asset to any team.

• While recent form does play a role, there is something to be said for consistency over time (sorry, Julian Green), and so play over the last couple of years -- and to a small extent, reputation -- is factored in.

In putting together my ranks, I also spoke with Jesse Marsch, a former USMNT assistant and head coach with the Montreal Impact, who offered his take on several players. Some of his comments are included below.

With that in mind, here is my ranking of the top 23 U.S. players.

1. Howard; 2. Dempsey; 3. Bradley; 4. Cameron; 5. Zusi; 6. Guzan; 7. Jones; 8. Altidore; 9. Bedoya; 10. Besler; 11. F. Johnson; 12. Johannsson; 13. Beckerman; 14. Gonzalez; 15. Donovan; 16. Beasley; 17. Chandler; 18. Davis; 19. Yedlin; 20. Kljestan; 21. Wondolowski; 22. Brooks; 23. Rimando.

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1. Tim Howard (Club team: Everton) Howard's athleticism has made him one of the best shot-stopping goalkeepers in the world, and his ability to organize a back line also contributes to him being the best American player. He recorded 15 clean sheets for Everton in the 2013-14 season (third most in the Premier League) and was forced into making 3.0 saves per game last year as opposed to just 2.5 in 2012-13. The goalkeeper also improved his save percentage from 70.9 percent last year to 77.2 percent in 2013-14, and his overall track record of 10 seasons in the Premier League (and consistent top-notch play for his country) gives him the nod as the U.S. No. 1.

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4. Geoff Cameron (Stoke City) Much has been made of Cameron's versatility for the United States, and his superior athleticism is a trait that allows him to play multiple positions at a high level. ESPN Stats & Information Heat map of Geoff Cameron's touches in 2013-14 Premier League season, left, and those in 2014 World Cup qualifying, right. Cameron's highly publicized stints at right back, center back and holding midfield speak volumes about the state of the USMNT's defense heading into the World Cup, but also point to his talent and ability to adapt. In growing as a player, Marsch rightly points out that the key for him now will be applying that athleticism to what makes defenders effective, such as positioning (i.e. starting point when the ball turns over, etc.) and passing distribution.

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5. Graham Zusi (Sporting KC) Zusi's ability to read the game in the attacking half is exceptional, and the midfielder is able to create chances because he can find open spaces and combine well with the strikers ahead of him. Zusi finished the 2013 MLS season with 87 chances created (third most in league), led Sporting KC with 3.8 take-ons per 90 minutes en route to an MLS Cup, and also created the most total chances for the United States during World Cup qualifying, as he tallied two goals and one assist in nine appearances.

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11. Fabian Johnson (Hoffenheim) Consistency and versatility are earmarks of Johnson's game. And while statistically he does not really stand out on either side of the ball, similar to Cameron, Johnson's ability to do a solid job in multiple roles makes him a strong asset for any team. Johnson posted two assists for the United States throughout World Cup qualifying, and as a wide player who can consistently produce one chance per 90 minutes for both club and country, he provides stability.

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15. Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy) Last week I wrote that even though Donovan's absence in Brazil may not help the team, it also likely will not harm the team's chances of advancing out of its difficult World Cup group. And while there are numbers and other evidence to support my assertion -- specifically a drop-off in club play to go along with questions regarding fitness at age 32 -- Donovan is still a very good player. "Even if for 89 minutes he's not doing anything, in one minute he can score and just end the game," Marsh adds. The question is, and maybe always has been, whether his head is in the right place to continue providing that magic, because if not, he drops quickly on this list based on current performance.

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22. John Brooks (Hertha Berlin) In a center back, you need a player who can break up plays and also add a threat on set pieces. Brooks did a good job of centrally breaking up plays for Hertha Berlin this season, and is also a threat going forward. Brooks ranks third on Hertha Berlin with 2.3 interceptions per 90 minutes in 2013-14 and also scored twice from corners to prove that he can hold his own in one of the world's top leagues.

This post was edited on 5/31/14 at 12:49 pm