DeAndre Yedlin was born and raised in Seattle, Washington, so it was a proud moment for him to join his boyhood club as a Homegrown Player. Yedlin played his college ball at the University of Akron under a head coach familiar to MLS fans in Caleb Porter. He played with more familiar MLS names, such as Scott Caldwell, Will Trapp, and Darren Mattocks. After two seasons in college, the Sounders signed him to a contract. He was the club's first ever Homegrown signing. It's pretty ironic how early into his career he scored a goal, cause he has barely scored any at all in his entire career. He scored his first professional goal against Tigres in the CCL, on a lovely volley from downtown Seattle. Again, not known for his scoring, Yedlin has scored one single goal in MLS regular season play. He had his first attempt saved, then smashed it home on the second time of asking against Colorado. Yedlin was named a 2013 MLS All-Star, playing 24 minutes against Roma. Yedlin was the first rookie to make the team since Michael Pankhurst in 2005. In the playoffs, he scored once more, his third of the season in all competitions. In a playoff match that Seattle lost 3-2 to Portland, Yedlin smashed one in at the back post.
In 2014, the 20-year-old fullback became a hot commodity around world football. He played his final season with the Seattle Sounders. Yedlin was named the very best player on the 2014 edition of the MLS 22 Under 22 list, improving from his third spot in the previous season. Yedlin dished out 4 assists during the season as a speedy defender down the right flank. On September 12th, he turned more heads with a two-assist performance against Real Salt Lake. The first assist was carried by an absurd long range finish by Lamar Neagle. The second assist was much more on Yedlin, as he touched a perfect lay off for Andy Rose, getting out of the way for the powerful match-winner. Yedlin was also already getting looks with the United States National Team, inserting himself as a key fixture in the team so early on in his career. He has now made 81 caps for the senior USMNT. In 2014, the Sounders captured the US Open Cup, as well as the Supporters' Shield. Yedlin played a massive role in both trophies. He was named again to the MLS All-Star team. After their disappointing playoff exit against LA Galaxy on away goals, it was time for Yedlin to move up in the world.
After making his first appearance for his country in February of 2014, it was somewhat surprising to see Jurgen Klinsmann include Yedlin on the 2014 World Cup roster just mere months later. In the June 26th match versus Portugal, Yedlin subbed on for an 18 minute cameo in the 2-2 draw. He also played 6 minutes in the following match, versus Germany. The knockout match against Belgium had a much bigger role for the youngster, as he registered almost a full 90 after coming on as a substitute for Fabian Johnson at halftime. It was a heartbreaking match as Belgium got the best of the US, 2-1 in extra time.
After the World Cup and the 2014 MLS season, Yedlin got a big move to the Premier League. European teams have shown a trend of going after speedy fullbacks and wingers from MLS. On August 13th, 2014, DeAndre Yedlin's move to Tottenham Hotspur was announced. He stayed with Seattle through the 2014 season, then joined in 2015. He made just one appearance with Tottenham, then went on loan with Sunderland, before finally finding his home at Newcastle. Yedlin became a regular starter with Newcastle, appearing in 112 matches. He made headlines with a goal against English giants Manchester City in 2018, but they did lose the match 2-1. After a short stint with Galatasaray in 2021, it was time for Yedlin to return stateside.
On February 2nd, 2022, Yedlin signed with Inter Miami CF. Head coach Phil Neville described the signing as almost at a DP level. Over the course of his career, Yedlin evolved from a pure speed type of player, to also becoming a serviceable defender as well. He made his Miami debut on February 26th against the Chicago Fire. He assisted four goals, just as he had in his last season with Seattle, and so far in 2023. Poetically, he notched his first assist against the Seattle Sounders in April. He surged down the right sideline he had so often many years prior, before whipping in a great cross that Robbie Robinson was able to poke home for the lone goal of the match. In the following match against Atlanta United, Yedlin played a cross into Leonardo Campana, who helped along his second assist in as many games. He was named to his third All-Star game in three MLS seasons, playing one half in the victory over Liga MX. Inter Miami snuck into the playoffs, but crashed out against NYCFC in the first round.
In 2023, we all know what has happened to Inter Miami CF. They have become among the most followed teams on social media in all of American sports. This of course, due to the arrival of Lionel Messi, a couple of his friends in Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba, and a complete revamp of the roster. But before all these moves in the summer, it was ugly for Miami. Yedlin's first assist of the campaign was a display of pure technical ability. He chipped Atlant's Andrew Gutman with his first touch, before weighting a through ball to Josef Martinez with the outside of his boot. In the following match, Yedlin acquired a secondary assist on a Josef Martinez winner against New England.
Miami's captain ceded his captaincy to Messi upon his arrival before Leagues Cup. Yedlin showed out during the tournament, en route to the final of the competition. He picked out a pretty assist to Robert Taylor against Charlotte, before assisting David Ruiz against Philadelphia in the next match. Miami would go onto win the Leagues Cup trophy, with Messi paying tribute to Yedlin by giving him the captain's armband back and having him lift the trophy first. This Miami side will look to bounce back from a loss in the US Open Cup final against Houston, and push into the MLS Cup Playoffs. They currently sit four points out with four matches to play. DeAndre Yedlin has been a massive player in American soccer and Major League Soccer in the last decade. He was one of the most impactful MLS exports to Europe in a time where not as many players were making those sort of moves. His continued leadership and consistency during his time in MLS places him at #69 on the list.
YEAR | CLUB | MINUTES | GOALS | ASSISTS | CS |
2023 | MIA | 1,975* | 0* | 4* | 3 |
2022 | MIA | 2,986 | 0 | 4 | 5 |
2014 | SEA | 2,220 | 0 | 4 | 5 |
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