National Soccer Hall of Fame

National Soccer Hall of Fame

File:Soccerhall.jpg
Established	1950 (as institution in 1979)
Location	Oneonta, New York
Coordinates	42.448676°N 75.112807°W / 42.448676; -75.112807
Type	Professional sports hall of fame
Visitors	17,000 per year
President	Jonathan Ullman
Chairperson	Douglas Willies

The National Soccer Hall of Fame is a private, non-profit institution established in 1979 that honors soccer achievements in the United States. Induction into the hall is widely considered the highest honor in American soccer.

History

The Hall of Fame was founded in 1950 by the Philadelphia "Old-timers" Association, a group of former professional and amateur soccer players that wanted to recognize the achievements of soccer in America.

Museum

Former National Soccer Hall of Fame Museum in Oneonta, New York

Giant ball going out of the Former National Soccer Hall of Fame Museum

The Hall of Fame museum opened on June 12, 1999. The museum featured the hall of fame, a library, and an interactive soccer play area.

The United States National Soccer Team Players Association partnered with the Hall of Fame to create the Time In program, which honored people with a connection to soccer battling leukemia. Since the disease disproportionately targets children a majority of the honorees were youth soccer players.

Prior to the 2005 induction of the "Magnificent Five" individuals from the early and mid 20th century had been largely ignored. This change was brought about by the acquisition of a large volume of historical records relating to this period. These records combined with previously developed eligibility criteria led to the induction of Tommy Fleming, Alex McNab, Johnny Nelson, Werner Nilsen and Fabri Salcedo. The notable careers of these five players all took place prior to 1950. The "Magnificent Five" were inducted post-humously into the Hall of Fame in August 2005.

Sports Illustrated reported on September 4, 2009, that the Hall announced it would be closing to the public. It was open only on certain match days. As a result of financial difficulties the Hall of Fame cut six of its nine employees during that same month. The director of the Hall of Fame for almost 10 years, Jack Huckel, left his position on December 18, 2009. On February 10, 2010, it was announced that the Hall would close its facility, though inductions will continue.

In September 2015, it was announced that a new Hall of Fame museum would be built at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, the home of Major League Soccer club FC Dallas.

Archive

After the museum was closed, a collection of more than 80,000 items was distributed to various locations across the country, including the headquarters of Eurosport, a long-term corporate sponsor, in Hillsborough, North Carolina. The collection includes the following notable items:

• The oldest soccer ball made in the United States
• The 1991, 1999 and 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup Trophies
• The North American Soccer League archive
• The 1994 FIFA World Cup U.S. archive
• A rare soccer photography collection from New York depression-era photographer John Albok
• Materials from the U.S. national teams in World Cup competition
• Artifacts from the American Soccer League of the 1920s and 1950s.
• Pelé’s New York Cosmos jersey.
• The Lamar Hunt Open Cup trophy.
• Mia Hamm’s cleats.
• Commemorations of the first U.S. World Cup team in 1930.

Eligibility

Eligible individuals may be inducted into one of three categories: Player, Builder and Veteran (player). New individuals are inducted annually.

Players

To be eligible in the Player category, an individual must have met number 1, and either number 2 or number 3, of the following three criteria:

1. Retired as a player for at least three years, but for no more than 10 years
2. Played at least 20 full international games for the United States. This requirement is reduced to 10 games if the games were prior to 1990.
3. Played at least five seasons in an American first-division professional league (currently MLS or NWSL), and won either the league championship, or the U.S. Open Cup, or was selected as a league all-star at least once.

Veterans

Players who have met either no. 2 or no. 3 but who retired more than 10 years ago are automatically placed on the veteran eligibility list.

Builders

To be eligible in this category, an individual must have made his or her mark in soccer in a non-playing capacity and have had a major, sustained and positive impact on soccer in the United States at a national or first division professional level. Due to the broad, general nature of the criteria, nominations for this category may be considered. Nominations are screened by the Hall of Fame Historian and Researcher who submit their recommendations to the Hall as to the appropriateness of the nominee's inclusion on the eligibility list.

Medal of Honor

The National Soccer Hall of Fame's Medal of Honor is the highest honor given to people who have grown the sport of soccer in the United States. The Medal is awarded to individuals who has "demonstrated vision and played an historic role in changing the course of soccer in America." The Medal has been given out only four times in history.

Number	Awarded	Name	Achievements
1	1998	Alan Rothenberg	Director of the 1994 World Cup; President of U.S. Soccer (1990–98); Oversaw the establishment of MLS.
2	1999	Lamar Hunt	Co-founder of the NASL (1967–84); Owner of 3 MLS teams during the early 2000s; Built the first soccer-specific stadium.
3	2001	1991 Women's national team	Won the inaugural Women's World Cup.
4	2006	Phil Anschutz	The most influential person in growing soccer in the U.S.; Owned 6 of 10 MLS teams during the early 2000s; Pushed MLS's development of soccer-specific stadiums.

Annual ballots

2009 ballot

Main article: 2009 National Soccer Hall of Fame Induction Class

In 2009, the Hall of fame inducted Jeff Agoos and Joy Fawcett into the Hall of Fame in the player category.

2010 ballot

Main article: 2010 National Soccer Hall of Fame Induction Class

In 2010, Thomas Dooley and Preki Radosavljević were inducted in the player category, Kyle Rote, Jr. in the Veteran category and Bruce Arena in the Builder category.

2011 ballot

Main article: 2011 National Soccer Hall of Fame Induction Class

On February 17, 2011, the Hall of Fame announced the candidates eligible for induction into the Hall of Fame in 2011. This list included individuals for all three categories, Player, Veteran and Builder. On March 29, 2011, the Hall of Fame announced that Cobi Jones, Eddie Pope and Earnie Stewart had been elected for induction into the Hall of Fame in the 2011 Player category. Bruce Murray was selected in the Veteran category, and Bob Gansler was elected in the Builder category.

2012 ballot

On January 31, 2012, the United States Soccer Federation announced that the ballots were finalized for the Class of 2012. Voting began on the day of the announcement and will continue until February 17. Twelve players were added to the ballot after qualifying for the first time. They included Tony Meola, Claudio Reyna, Jose Burciaga Jr., Ronald Cerritos, Lorrie Fair, Jennifer Lalor, Ronnie O'Brien, Ante Razov, David Regis, Thori Staples Bryan, Greg Vanney and Kerry Zavagnin. Of the remaining nine players in the pool, Mike Burns, Peter Nowak, Carlos Valderrama and Peter Vermes are in their final year of eligibility.

On February 29, 2012, the USSF announced the induction of Tony Meola, Claudio Reyna, Tony DiCicco, and Desmond Armstrong into the Hall of Fame. Reyna and Meola greatly exceeded the two-thirds threshold required to enter the Hall, receiving 96.08% and 90.20% of the vote respectively.

2013 ballot

On October 11, 2013, the USSF inducted two former U.S. international and MLS stars into the Hall of Fame. Forward Joe-Max Moore and the versatile Peter Vermes were the only players inducted in 2013.

2017 ballot

On August 3, 2017 former U.S. Women's National Team goalkeeper Briana Scurry, and Joe Machnik were elected to the National Soccer Hall of Fame. Each was elected on the player and builder ballots respectively.

Inductees

Players

• Jeff Agoos – 2009
• Michelle Akers – 2004
• Carlos Alberto – 2003
• Robert Annis – 1976
• Desmond Armstrong – 2012
• Andrew Auld – 1986
• Adolph Bachmeier – 2002
• Walter Bahr – 1976
• Marcelo Balboa – 2005
• George Barr – 1983
• Fred Beardsworth – 1965
• Franz Beckenbauer – 1998
• Raymond Bernabei – 1978
• Vladislav Bogićević – 2002
• Mike Bookie – 1986
• Frank Borghi – 1976
• John Boulos – 1980
• Harold Brittan – 1951
• Davey Brown – 1951
• George Brown – 1995
• Jim Brown – 1986
• Paul Caligiuri – 2004
• Ralph Caraffi – 1959
• Joe Carenza, Sr. – 1982
• Efrain Chacurian – 1992
• Brandi Chastain - 2016
• Stanley Chesne – 1966
• Paul Child – 2003
• Giorgio Chinaglia – 2000
• Fernando Clavijo – 2005

• Charlie Colombo – 1976
• Geoff Coombes – 1976
• Robert Craddock – 1976
• Paul Danilo – 1996
• Rick Davis – 2001
• Walter Dick – 1989
• Nicholas DiOrio – 1974
• Aldo Donelli – 1954
• Thomas Dooley – 2010
• Jimmy Douglas – 1954
• Tommy Duggan – 1955
• Jimmy Dunn – 1974
• Alex Ely – 1997
• Joy Fawcett – 2009
• Jock Ferguson – 1950
• Tommy Fleming – 2005
• Thomas Florie – 1986
• Julie Foudy – 2007
• Werner Fricker – 1992
• William Fryer – 1951
• Joe Gaetjens – 1976
• Jimmy Gallagher – 1986
• Gino Gardassanich – 1976
• James Gentle – 1976
• Rudy Getzinger – 1991
• Teddy Glover – 1965
• Billy Gonsalves – 1950
• Bob Gormley – 1989
• Sheldon Govier – 1950
• Karl-Heinz Granitza – 2003

• Joseph Gryzik – 1973
• Mia Hamm – 2007
• Al Harker – 1979
• John Harkes – 2005
• April Heinrichs – 1998
• Shannon Higgins – 2002
• Jack Hynes – 1977
• Johnny Jaap – 1953
• Carin Jennings-Gabarra – 2000
• Cobi Jones – 2011
• Kasey Keller – 2015
• Harry Keough – 1976
• Nicholas Kropfelder – 1996
• Rudolph Kuntner – 1963
• Alexi Lalas – 2006
• Millard Lang – 1950
• Bob Lenarduzzi – 2003
• Kristine Lilly – 2014
• William Looby – 2001
• Joe Maca – 1976
• Arnie Mausser – 2003
• Brian McBride – 2014
• Pat McBride – 1994
• Bart McGhee – 1986
• Johnny McGuire – 1951
• Ed McIlvenny – 1986
• Benny McLaughlin – 1997
• Shannon MacMillan - 2016
• Alex McNab – 2005
• Tony Meola – 2012

• Werner Mieth – 1974
• Robert Millar – 1950
• Lloyd Monsen – 1994
• Joe-Max Moore – 2013
• Johnny Moore – 1997
• George Moorhouse – 1986
• Robert Morrison – 1951
• Ed Murphy – 1998
• Bruce Murray – 2011
• Glenn Myernick – 2015
• John Nanoski – 1993
• John Nelson – 2005
• Werner Nilsen – 2005
• Patrick Ntsoelengoe – 2003
• Shamus O'Brien – 1990
• Gene Olaff – 1971
• Arnold Oliver – 1968
• Len Oliver – 1996
• Carla Overbeck – 2006
• Gino Pariani – 1996
• Bert Patenaude – 1971
• Pelé – 1993
• Hugo Perez – 2008
• Eddie Pope – 2011
• Preki – 2010
• Tab Ramos – 2005
• Harry Ratican – 1950
• Peter Renzulli – 1951
• Claudio Reyna – 2012
• Jimmy Roe – 1997

• Kyle Rote, Jr. – 2010
• Werner Roth – 1989
• Willy Roy – 1989
• Francis Ryan – 1958
• Fabri Salcedo – 2005
• Willy Schaller – 1995
• Briana Scurry - 2017
• Philip Slone – 1986
• Bobby Smith – 2007
• Ed Souza – 1976
• John Souza – 1976
• Dick Spalding – 1950
• Archie Stark – 1950
• Earnie Stewart – 2011
• Thomas Swords – 1951
• George Tintle – 1952
• Raphael Tracey – 1986
• Al Trost – 2006
• Frank Vaughn – 1986
• Peter Vermes – 2013
• Frank Wallace – 1976
• Alex Weir – 1975
• Alan Willey – 2003
• Bruce Wilson – 2003
• Peter Wilson – 1950
• Mike Windischmann – 2004
• Adam Wolanin – 1976
• Alexander Wood – 1986
• Eric Wynalda – 2004
• Al Zerhusen – 1978

Builders

• Umberto Abronzino – 1971
• Milton Aimi – 1991
• Julius A. Alonso – 1972
• William Anderson – 1956
• Philip Anschutz – 2006
• John Ardizzone – 1971
• Bruce Arena – 2010
• James Armstrong – 1952
• Joseph J. Barriskill - 1953
• Clay Berling – 1995
• John O. Best – 1982
• Joseph Booth – 1952
• Matthew Boxer – 1961
• Bob Bradley – 2014
• Gordon Bradley – 1996
• Lawrence E. Briggs – 1978
• John Brock – 1950
• Andrew M. Brown – 1950
• Thomas W. Cahill – 1950
• Walter Chyzowych – 1997
• John Coll – 1986
• George M. Collins – 1951
• Peter Collins – 1998
• Colin Commander – 1967
• Ted Cordery – 1975
• Robert B. Craddock – 1976
• Edmund Craggs – 1969
• George Craggs – 1981
• Wilfred R. Cummings – 1953

• Joseph Delach – 1973
• Enzo DeLuca – 1979
• Tony DiCicco – 2012
• Edward J. Donaghy – 1951
• George Donnelly – 1989
• Anson Dorrance – 2008
• John W. Dresmich – 1968
• Duncan Duff – 1972
• Gene Edwards – 1985
• Rudy Epperlein – 1951
• Ahmet Ertegun – 2003
• Nesuhi Ertegun – 2003
• Harry Fairfield – 1951
• Ernst Feibusch – 1984
• John A. Fernley – 1951
• Charles Ferro – 1958
• George E. Fishwick – 1974
• Jack Flamhaft – 1964
• Harry G. Fleming – 1967
• Powys A.L. Foulds – 1953
• Samuel T.N. Foulds – 1969
• Daniel W. Fowler – 1970
• Margaret Fowler – 1979
• Bob Gansler – 2011
• Don Garber - 2016
• Pete Garcia – 1964
• Walter Giesler – 1962
• David Gould – 1953
• Donald Greer – 1985
• Bob Guelker – 1980
• G.K. Guennel – 1980

• George Healey – 1951
• Herbert Heilpern – 1988
• William Hemmings – 1961
• Bob Hermann – 2001
• Ted Howard – 2003
• Maurice Hudson – 1966
• Lamar Hunt – 1982
• Alfredda Iglehart – 1951
• William Jeffrey – 1951
• Jack Johnston – 1952
• Mike Kabanica – 1987
• John Kalloch – 1964
• Bob Kehoe – 1989
• Frank J. Kelly – 1994
• George Kempton
• Paul Klein – 1953
• Alfred Kleinaitis – 1995
• Oscar Koszma – 1964
• Frank Kracher – 1983
• Raymond G. Kraft – 1984
• Harry Kraus – 1963
• Kurt Lamm – 1979
• Bertil Larson – 1988
• Horace Edgar Lewis – 1950
• Giuseppe "Joseph" Lombardo – 1984
• Dennis Long – 1993
• John J. MacEwan – 1953
• Joe Machnik - 2017
• Enzo Magnozzi – 1977
• Jack Maher – 1970

• G. Randolph Manning – 1950
• John Marre – 1953
• Allan McClay – 1971
• Frank J. McGrath – 1978
• James McGuire – 1951
• Dent McSkimming – 1951
• Peter Merovich – 1961
• Al Miller – 1995
• Milton Miller – 1961
• Jimmy Mills – 1954
• James Moore – 1971
• William Morrissette – 1967
• Fred Netto – 1958
• Ron Newman – 1992
• Dimitrious Niotis – 1963
• William Palmer – 1952
• Edward Pearson – 1990
• Peter Peel – 1951
• Wally Peters – 1967
• Don Phillipson – 1987
• Giorgio Piscopo – 1978
• Edgar Pomeroy – 1955
• Arnold Ramsden – 1957
• Vernon R. Reese – 1957
• J. Eugene Ringsdorf – 1979
• Elizabeth Robbie – 2003
• Joe Robbie – 2003
• Steve Ross – 2003
• Jack J. Rottenberg – 1971

• Thomas Sagar – 1968
• Harry Saunders – 1981
• Manfred Schellscheidt – 1990
• Emil Schillinger – 1960
• Sigi Schmid – 2015
• Elmer Schroeder – 1951
• Ernő Schwarz – 1951
• Fred Shields – 1968
• Erwin Single – 1981
• Alfred A. Smith – 1951
• Patrick Smith – 1998
• Reinhold Spath – 1996
• Nicolaas Steelink – 1971
• Hank Steinbrecher – 2005
• Lee Stern – 2003
• August Steuer – 1969
• Douglas T. Stewart – 1950
• Robert T. Stone – 1971
• Clive Toye – 2003
• Joseph Triner – 1952
• James A. Walder – 1971
• Adolph Washauer – 1977
• Thomas Webb – 1987
• Victor Weston – 1956
• John W. Woods – 1953
• Phil Woosnam – 1997
• Jerry Yeagley – 1989
• John Young – 1958
• Daniel Zampini – 1963

Colin Jose Media Award

• 2004 Jerry Trecker
• 2005 Seamus Malin
• 2007 George Tiedemann
• 2008 Ike Kuhns
• 2009 Alex Yannis
• 2010 Paul Gardner

MLS Hall of Fame Game

The MLS Hall of Fame Game was an annual friendly match between two MLS teams. It corresponded with the induction of the National Soccer Hall of Fame. The game took place at At-A-Glance Field in Oneonta, NY.

Date	Winning Team	Score	Losing Team	Score
October 11, 2004	MetroStars	2	Chicago Fire	0
August 29, 2005	D.C. United	6	Colorado Rapids	2
September 6, 2006	New York Red Bulls	vs.	Columbus Crew

See also

• St. Louis Soccer Hall of Fame
• List of members of the Soccer Hall of Fame

External links

• A guide and brief history of the Hall of Fame
• Hall of Fame. U.S. Soccer official website
• US (National) Soccer Hall of Fame Membership (complete list). U.S. Soccer History Archives
• American (U.S.) Soccer History Archives