A sturdy midfielder-turned indomitable defender, Geoff Cameron is one of few Americans with a solidified first-team place at a club in one of Europe’s top leagues. Comfortable in either the centre of defence, out wide, or in a holding midfield role, he offers USA coach Jurgen Klinsmann options aplenty and the kind of versatility a modern manager loves.

Cameron is not the most elegant player on the ball, but what he lacks in technique he more than makes up for in his work-rate, tough tackling and no-nonsense defending. These qualities have made him a valued asset at Stoke City in the English Premier League, where he has become a regular in the defensive set-up of a side that prides itself on keeping things watertight.

Before his move to England, Cameron was an important member of Houston Dynamo where he was a finalist for MLS’s Rookie of the Year (best young player) award and also its Top Defender gong. Brazil 2014 will be Cameron’s first FIFA World Cup™ after playing a critical role in the qualifying process in the CONCACAF zone.