Over the past decade, a growing number of sports writers, fans, and professional athletes have adopted a powerful expression that encapsulates a unique and intangible quality.
He’s got that dog in him.
This phrase typically describes individuals marked by relentless determination and grit, commonly referred to as “dogs.” These players are often the scrappy and tenacious ones on the field, taking on the dirty work that is crucial—especially in soccer—for setting up goals and assists.
Every team benefits from having at least one such player on their roster. As the upcoming FIFA World Cup approaches this June, countless Americans will ponder: Which United States player truly exemplifies that dog mentality?
Drawing inspiration from the internet’s playful use of “xDAWG,” a twist on the expected goals (xG) metric, ESPN has devised a formula to spotlight these potential game-changers for the US Men’s National Team (USMNT).
Created by analytics expert Bill Connelly, the formula emphasizes various metrics in this order: xG + xPVA (expected value added per possession), overall defensive actions, blocked shots, yellow cards, ground duel win percentage, fouls committed, blocked passes, tackle attempts, ball recoveries, fouls suffered, tackle success, aerial success, and fouls drawn in the attacking third.
We also analyze appearances over the last two years for both club and country, identifying standout players in defense, midfield, and attack. Historical comparisons will be drawn from the previous decade, focusing on a similar two-year analysis leading up to World Cups (noting that the U.S. did not qualify in 2018).
Bear in mind, this isn’t a ranking of the best American players, which would require a different methodology.
Now, let’s meet the USMNT’s top dogs.
Playing as a high-pressing fullback for a dominant PSV Eindhoven team in the Eredivisie, Sergiño Dest stands out as one of the more dynamic players in the Dutch league. In the 2025-26 season, he ranks among the top 15 defenders in the Eredivisie for defensive attributes such as fouls won in the attacking third, recoveries, fouls suffered, and xG + xPVA.
Injury issues have limited his national team appearances to just four over the last two years, but he showcased impressive tackling success and recovery statistics in those matches. Remarkably, he has performed consistently across various metrics. As Connelly puts it, Dest shows “no real xDAWG weaknesses.”
If he remains healthy, expect the electrifying fullback to play a key role in regaining possession and winning fouls for the U.S. during the World Cup.
Other American defenders who performed well according to the xDAWG formula include Antonee Robinson (solid tackler with numerous ball recoveries), Alex Freeman (excellent in ball progression and tackling), Chris Richards (strong in aerial duels and tackling), and Miles Robinson (exceptional shot blocker and strong in the air).
How does Dest measure up against historical USMNT defensive dogs? In analyzing the past decade, it’s important to note that players from the 2022 cycle overlap significantly, so we’ll focus on the 2010s. Geoff Cameron (2012-14) and Matt Besler (2016-18) were standout defenders during their tenure.
While positional differences complicate direct comparisons, Dest has excelled this season with his excellent ball recovery rate and a high xG + xPVA at PSV, while both Cameron and Besler were recognized for their overall defensive interventions. Besler was known for his aerial duels, whereas Cameron excelled at making interceptions.
U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino describes Cristian Roldan as the embodiment of a “perfect” player.
“We need a player with confidence, self-belief, a touch of arrogance, and a competitive edge,” Pochettino remarked last year. “Cristian Roldan is an example of the ideal player who offers a bit of everything.”
Among midfielders in MLS, Roldan ranks among the top 15 for 2025 and 2026 in metrics like defensive interventions, blocked passes, tackle attempts, fouls suffered, progressive carries, and ball recoveries. In his eight appearances for the USMNT since 2024, the hardworking 30-year-old has also excelled in interceptions and overall defensive actions.
Once considered an aging veteran with no clear future on the USMNT, Roldan has experienced a career renaissance, transforming from a surprise inclusion in the Pochettino era to a potential starter, serving as a well-rounded and tenacious presence in the midfield.
Other notable xDAWG midfielders include Tyler Adams (notable for ball recoveries and interventions), Johnny Cardoso (strong in fouls drawn and yellow cards), Sebastian Berhalter (capable in ball progression and with no significant weaknesses), and Yunus Musah (prone to drawing contact). Cardoso was a top contender for the midfield dog due to his impressive performance at Atlético Madrid but had to concede his spot to Roldan following an ankle injury that will keep him out of the World Cup.
Historically, Michael Bradley (2016-18) and Jermaine Jones (2012-14) were standout midfielders in their respective cycles. Bradley was elite in ball recoveries, while Jones was renowned for drawing fouls and being combative.
The inclusion of this player may come as a surprise, especially considering he may not have secured a spot for the World Cup after losing his starting position with Bayer Leverkusen.
However, when utilized this season, he’s been fiercely aggressive. In the 2025-26 Bundesliga campaign, he ranks in the top 20 among non-defenders for aerial duel success, tackle success, fouls drawn in the attacking third, and blocked passes.
For the USMNT, the attacker has gained valuable experience during the 2025 Gold Cup, where he faced several weaker opponents. Since November 2024, he has led the U.S. in fouls suffered, tackle attempts, and blocked passes, also ranking second in defensive interventions, ball recoveries, and xG + xPVA.
As Pochettino noted about Tillman during the Gold Cup, “What a player. His capacity off the ball and work ethic are remarkable; he recovered a lot of balls and always supports the deep press with relentless chasing.”
Other forwards ranking high in the xDAWG formula include Brenden Aaronson (records many fouls drawn and ball recoveries), Patrick Agyemang (draws numerous fouls and commits some), Timothy Weah (all-around skilled player with solid tackling and ball recovery), and Diego Luna (notable scoring threat with multiple yellow cards).
Historically, Alejandro Bedoya stood out in his performances prior to both the 2014 and 2018 World Cups. While classic USMNT stars such as Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey were competitors, Bedoya’s commitment to defensive actions and ball recoveries at the club level made him a tougher player to contend with compared to Tillman and others in the modern era.
As we look forward to the present-day team, will Dest, Roldan, Tillman, or other Americans display that dog mentality this summer? If they do, history could be in the making at the World Cup.