Hall Of Fame Announces Ballot For Veterans And Builders
ONEONTA, NY (Nov 3,2008) SOCCER HALL — The National Soccer Hall of Fame and Museum today announced the 2009 Veteran Ballot highlighted by several retired US National Team and North American Soccer League (NASL) stars. Players were selected to the Veteran Ballot from the over 300 eligible players by vote of the 16-member Veterans Screening Committee, which is made up of selected Hall of Famers.
Here is a complete list of the veteran players selected for the Veteran Ballot:
Veterans
• Desmond Armstrong – 81 caps, 1990 World Cup team, 1988 Olympics
• Barry Barto – 16 caps, 6 seasons in the NASL, 1973 NASL champion.
• George Best – 6 seasons in NASL, 11 NASL playoff games, 4-time NASL all-star
• Hubert Birkenmeier – 6 seasons in the NASL, 2-time NASL champion, 3-time NASL all-star
• Teofilo Cubillas – 5 seasons in the NASL, 2 ASL seasons, 4-time NASL all-star, 2 USL seasons
• Steve David – 8 NASL seasons, 2-time NASL scoring champion, 3-time NASL all-star, 1975 NASL MVP
• Linda Hamilton – 71 caps, 1991 & 1995 World Cup team, 1991 Woman’s World Cup champion,
• Lori Henry – 39 caps. 1991 Women's World Cup champion
• Shep Messing – 1972 Olympics, 7 NASL seasons, 1977 NASL champion, 8 indoor seasons
• Bill McPherson – 10 ASL seasons, 5-time ASL champion, 7-time U.S Open Cup champion
• Bruce Murray – 86 caps, 1990 World Cup team, 1988 Olympics
• Glenn Myernick – 10 caps, U.S National Team 1975-79, 8 NASL seasons,
• John O’Connell – 4 caps, 10 ASL seasons, 1954 ASL champion, 2-time ASL MVP
• Andy Racz – 6 ASL seasons, 1960 ASL MVP, 3-time ASL champion, 3-time U.S Open Cup champion.
• Bob Rigby – 6 caps, 12 NASL seasons, 2-time NASL all-star,
• Kyle Rote, Jr. – 5 caps, 7 NASL seasons, NASL all-star 1978
“These veteran players represent over 50 years of professional soccer in the United States,” Hall of Fame President Steve Baumann said. “Their playing contributions to the game are important to recognize and to honor, as we did in 2008 when Hugo Perez was inducted as a veteran player.”
Builders
• Bruce Arena – 2-time MLS champion coach, past U.S. Men's National Team coach.
• Chuck Blazer – General Secretary of CONCACAF, member of the FIFA Executive Committee
• Bob Contiguglia – Past U.S. Soccer president, Past U.S. Youth Soccer chairman
• Bill Cox – International Soccer League founder and president, NASL's San Diego Toros president
• Tony DiCicco – Past U.S Women’s National Team coach, 1996 Olympic Gold medal, 1999 World Cup Champion
• Don Garber – MLS commissioner
• Bob Gansler – Past U.S National Team coach, 1990 World Cup
• Burton Haimes – Chairman of the Board for American Youth Soccer Organization, Board of Directors, U.S. Soccer
• Robert Kraft – Investor in Major League Soccer, Operator of the New England Revolution
• Joe Machnick – MLS official, goalkeeper coach of the men’s national team at the 1990 World Cup
• Francisco Marcos – Founder and President, United Soccer Leagues
• Fritz Marth – Former Executive Director of U.S. Amateur/Adult Soccer Association
• Thom Meredith – Former U.S. Soccer executive, consultant for numerous soccer organizations and events
• Kevin Payne – MLS team official. President and CEO of D.C. United
• David Socha – NASL & international referee, refereed at the 1982 & 1986 World Cups
Courtesy of the National Soccer Hall of Fame
