National Soccer Hall of Fame

The National Soccer Hall of Fame is a private, non-profit institution established in 1979 and currently located in Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, a suburb of Dallas. The Hall of Fame honors soccer achievements in the United States. Induction into the hall is widely considered the highest honor in American soccer.^[3][4][5][6]

National Soccer Hall of Fame

Location within Texas
Established	1950 (as institution in 1979)
Location	Toyota Stadium Frisco, Texas
Coordinates	33°09′12.6″N 96°50′05.7″W / 33.153500°N 96.834917°W / 33.153500; -96.834917
Type	Professional sports hall of fame
Visitors	17,000 per year^[1]^[2]
Website	nationalsoccerhof.com

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.^[7]

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, in Oneonta, New York. 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.^[8]

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 posthumously into the Hall of Fame in August 2005.^[9]

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.^[2] The director of the Hall of Fame for almost ten years, Jack Huckel, left his position on December 18, 2009.^[1] On February 10, 2010, it was announced that the Hall would close its facility, though inductions will continue.^[10][11]

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.^[12] The new museum opened during the 2018 Enshrinement Ceremony on October 20, 2018.^[13] This new facility features additional memorabilia from soccer legends and high-tech, interactive exhibits.^[14]

 

Rendering of building for the National Soccer Hall of Fame in Frisco, Texas. The opening was October 20, 2018. Image release by Hall of fame.

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:^[7][15]

• The oldest soccer ball made in the United States
• The 1991, 1999, 2015 and 2019 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.^[16] The Medal is awarded to individuals who has "demonstrated vision and played an historic role in changing the course of soccer in America."^[17] 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;^[18] 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;^[19] Built the second soccer-specific stadium in the country after Bethlehem Steel in 1913.^[19]
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.;^[16] Owned 6 of 10 MLS teams during the early 2000s;^[16] Pushed MLS's development of soccer-specific stadiums.^[16]

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.^[20]

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.^[21]

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.^[22]

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 in the player and builder categories respectively.^[23]

2018 ballot

On May 31, 2018, five new Inductees were announced Cindy Parlow, Brad Friedel, Tiffeny Milbrett, Bob Contiguglia, Don Garber (Deferred from 2016).^[24] The 2018 class was the first class enshrined at the new facility in Frisco, Texas.

Inductees

Players

• Jeff Agoos – 2009
• Michelle Akers – 2004
• Carlos Alberto – 2006
• Robert Annis – 1976
• Desmond Armstrong – 2012
• Andrew Auld – 1986
• Adolph Bachmeier – 2002
• Walter Bahr – 1976
• Marcelo Balboa – 2005
• George Barr – 1983
• Fred Beardsworth – 1965
• DaMarcus Beasley – 2022
• Franz Beckenbauer – 1998
• Raymond Bernabei – 1978
• Carlos Bocanegra – 2020
• Vladislav Bogićević – 2002
• Mike Bookie – 1986
• Frank Borghi – 1976
• John Boulos – 1980
• Shannon Boxx – 2022
• 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^[25] – 2016
• Stanley Chesney – 1966
• Steve Cherundolo – 2021
• Paul Child – 2003
• Giorgio Chinaglia – 2000
• Fernando Clavijo – 2005
• Charlie Colombo – 1976
• Geoff Coombes – 1976
• Robert W. Craddock – 1997
• Paul Danilo – 1996
• Rick Davis – 2001
• Clint Dempsey - 2022
• Walter Dick – 1989
• Nicholas DiOrio – 1974
• Aldo Donelli – 1954
• Landon Donovan – 2023
• Thomas Dooley – 2010
• Jimmy Douglas – 1954
• Tommy Duggan – 1955
• Jimmy Dunn – 1974
• Alex Ely – 1997
• Marco Etcheverry – 2022
• Joy Fawcett – 2009
• Jock Ferguson – 1950
• Tommy Fleming – 2005
• Thomas Florie – 1986
• Julie Foudy – 2007
• Werner Fricker – 1992
• Brad Friedel – 2018
• William Fryer – 1951
• Joe Gaetjens – 1976
• Jimmy Gallagher – 1986
• Gino Gardassanich – 1976
• James Gentle – 1986
• 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
• Linda Hamilton – 2022
• Al Harker – 1979
• John Harkes – 2005
• April Heinrichs – 1998
• Shannon Higgins – 2002
• Lauren Holiday – 2023
• Jack Hynes – 1977
• Johnny Jaap – 1953
• Carin Jennings-Gabarra – 2000
• Cobi Jones – 2011
• Kasey Keller – 2015^[26]
• 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
• Kate Markgraf – 2023
• Arnie Mausser – 2003
• Brian McBride – 2014
• Pat McBride – 1994
• Bart McGhee – 1986
• Johnny McGuire – 1951
• Ed McIlvenny – 1976
• Benny McLaughlin – 1981
• Shannon MacMillan – 2016
• Alex McNab – 2005
• Tony Meola – 2012
• Werner Mieth – 1974
• Tiffany Milbrett – 2018
• Robert Millar – 1950
• Lloyd Monsen – 1994
• Joe-Max Moore – 2013
• Johnny Moore – 1997
• George Moorhouse – 1986
• Jaime Moreno – 2021
• 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 – 1976
• Cindy Parlow – 2018
• Bert Patenaude – 1971
• Christie Pearce – 2021
• 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
• Hope Solo – 2022
• 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
• Abby Wambach – 2019
• 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^[27]
• Steve Zungul – 2023

Builders

• Umberto Abronzino – 1971
• Milton Aimi – 1991
• Julius Garcia Alonso – 1972
• William Anderson – 1956
• Philip Anschutz – 2006
• John Ardizzone – 1971
• Bruce Arena – 2010
• James Armstrong – 1952
• Esse Baharmast – 2022
• 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
• Bob Contiguglia – 2018
• Walter Chyzowych – 1997
• John Coll – 1986
• George M. Collins – 1951
• Peter Collins – 1998
• Colin Commander – 1967
• Ted Cordery – 1975
• Robert B. Craddock – 1959
• 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
• Jill Ellis – 2023
• 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 – 1954
• 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 (deferred to 2018)
• Pete Garcia – 1964
• Walter Giesler – 1962
• David Gould – 1953
• Donald Greer – 1985
• Bob Guelker – 1980
• G.K. Guennel – 1980
• Sunil Gulati – 2019
• 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 – 1950
• 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 – 1971
• Al Miller – 1995
• Milton Miller – 1971
• Jimmy Mills – 1954
• James Moore – 1971
• William Morrissette – 1967
• Fred Netto – 1958
• Ron Newman – 1992
• Dimitrious Niotis – 1963
• William Palmer – 1952
• Kevin Payne – 2021
• 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 Wood – 1953
• Phil Woosnam – 1997
• Jerry Yeagley – 1989
• John Young – 1958
• Daniel Zampini – 1963^[27]

Colin Jose Media Award

The Colin Jose Media Award is an honor bestowed on members of the media whose contributions to soccer in the United States are deemed of an "exceptional and sustained" quality. The award is named for Colin Jose, who served as official historian of the National Soccer Hall of Fame from 1997 to 2007, and who is recognized internationally as the preeminent authority on the history of soccer in North America.^[28]

• 2004 Jerry Trecker
• 2005 Seamus Malin
• 2007 George Tiedemann
• 2008 Ike Kuhns
• 2009 Alex Yannis
• 2010 Paul Gardner
• 2012 Grahame L. Jones
• 2013 George Vecsey
• 2016 Paul Kennedy
• 2017 Jim Trecker
• 2018 JP Dellacamera
• 2019 Tony Quinn (photographer)
• 2020 Andrés Cantor
• 2023 Grant Wahl^[29]

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	^[30]

See also

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

References

1. "Soccer Hall museum director leaves position". Utica Observer Dispatch. December 18, 2009. Archived from the original on February 5, 2013. Retrieved March 15, 2011.
2. Shane Evans (September 4, 2009). "National Soccer Hall of Fame to close". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved March 15, 2011.
3. "Red Bulls' Jeff Agoos gets inducted into National Soccer Hall of Fame". Daily News.
4. "ROBERTS SAHAYDAK NAMED TO BALLOT FOR 2011 NATIONAL SOCCER HALL OF FAME CLASS". February 22, 2011.
5. . Archived from the original on August 7, 2011.
6. "Rutgers Standout Lalas Elected to National Soccer Hall of Fame". Archived from the original on September 10, 2012.
7. . U.S. Soccer. Archived from the original on March 12, 2017. Retrieved March 19, 2017.
8. "Thursday's Daily: The Hall Without An Address". US Soccer Players. February 11, 2010. Retrieved March 15, 2011.
9. "US Soccer Hall of Fame inducts five top veterans of the early 20th century". The American Soccer History Archives. Dave Litterer. July 11, 2005. Retrieved March 16, 2011.
10. Fran Perritano (February 10, 2010). "Soccer Hall of Fame closes". Utica Observer Dispatch. Archived from the original on May 24, 2012. Retrieved March 15, 2011.
11. . National Soccer Foundation. February 10, 2010. Archived from the original on November 20, 2010. Retrieved March 15, 2011.
12. MLSsoccer.com staff (September 30, 2015). "US Soccer, FC Dallas announce new National Soccer Hall of Fame to be built at Toyota Stadium". mlssoccer.com. Retrieved October 8, 2015.
13. Wigglesworth, Valerie (December 12, 2017). "New Soccer Hall of Fame in Frisco will kick off in October with induction ceremony, games". Dallas Morning News. Retrieved December 13, 2017.
14. "History Associates Celebrates the History of Soccer with the Grand Opening of the new National Soccer Hall of Fame". HistoryAssociates.com. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
15. L.E. Eisenmenger (February 2, 2010). "National Soccer Hall Of Fame Looks Ahead". ussoccerplayers.com. Retrieved March 15, 2011.
16. Sports Business Journal, Soccer’s visionary: Phil Anschutz, June 5, 2006, http://m.sportsbusinessdaily.com/Journal/Issues/2006/06/20060605/SBJ-In-Depth/Soccers-Visionary-Phil-Anschutz.aspx
17. Lamar Hunt Receives National Soccer Hall of Fame Medal of Honor, May 15, 1999, https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/rec.sport.soccer/ZlPN-XpO6C4
18. Sports Illustrated, From obscurity to respect, August 20, 1998, http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/soccer/news/1998/08/20/rothenberg_legacy/
19. ESPN FC, Hunt a quiet pioneer of U.S. soccer, December 13, 2006, http://espnfc.com/columns/story?id=394199&root=us25&cc=5901
20. . United States Soccer Federation. Archived from the original on December 27, 2013.
21. . United States Soccer Federation. January 31, 2012. Archived from the original on February 4, 2012. Retrieved February 1, 2012.
22. "Reyna, Meola Elected to National Soccer Hall of Fame Class of 2012". United States Soccer Federation. February 29, 2012. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |url= (help)
23. "Briana Scurry, Dr. Joe Machnik Elected to National Soccer Hall of Fame Class of 2017". www.ussoccer.com. U.S. Soccer. Retrieved August 4, 2017.
24. "FIVE MEMBERS OF 2018 CLASS OF THE NATIONAL SOCCER HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCED". US Soccer. May 31, 2018. Retrieved June 1, 2018.
25. goalnation.com | National Soccer Hall of Fame Inducts Class of 2016
26. "Kasey Keller, Sigi Schmid and Glenn "Mooch" Myernick Elected to National Soccer Hall of Fame".
27. . Archived from the original on September 23, 2017. Retrieved March 16, 2011.
28. "National Soccer Hall of Fame".
29. "Grant Wahl Named 2023 Colin Jose Media Award Winner," from National Soccer Hall of Fame, 1/25/2023
30. Game was canceled due to injuries on both teams.

External links

• Official website