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.[6]
Museum
Former National Soccer Hall of Fame Museum in Oneonta, New YorkGiant 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.[7]
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, five players whose notable careers all took place prior to 1950. The "Magnificent Five" were inducted posthumously into the Hall of Fame in August 2005.[8]
Sports Illustrated reported on September 4, 2009 that the Hall would be closing to the public outside of certain match days. As a result of financial difficulties, the Hall 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.[9][10]
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.[11] The new museum opened during the 2018 Enshrinement Ceremony on October 20, 2018.[12] This new facility features additional memorabilia from soccer legends and high-tech, interactive exhibits.[13]
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:[6][14]
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 had a major, sustained and positive impact on soccer in the United States at a national or first division professional level in non-playing capacity. 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.[15] The Medal is awarded to individuals who has "demonstrated vision and played an historic role in changing the course of soccer in America."[16] The Medal has been given out only four times in history.
Co-founder of the NASL (1967–84) Owner of 3 MLS teams during the early 2000s[18] Built the second soccer-specific stadium in the country after Bethlehem Steel in 1913[18]
The most influential person in growing soccer in the U.S.[15] Owned 6 of 10 MLS teams during the early 2000s[15] Pushed MLS's development of soccer-specific stadiums[15]
On February 17, 2011, the Hall of Fame announced the candidates eligible for induction into the Hall for that year in all three categories. On March 29, 2011, the Hall of Fame announced that Cobi Jones, Eddie Pope, and Earnie Stewart would be inducted in the Player category. Bruce Murray was selected for the Veteran category, and Bob Gansler was selected in the Builder category.[19]
On February 29, 2012, the USSF announced the induction of Tony Meola and Claudio Reyna in the Player category, Desmond Armstrong in the Veteran category, and Tony DiCicco in the Builder category. Reyna and Meola greatly exceeded the two-thirds threshold required to enter the Hall, receiving 96% and 90% of the vote respectively.[21]
On May 5, 2016, the USSF announced the Hall of Fame Class of 2016: Brandi Chastain (Player), Shannon MacMillan (Veteran), and Don Garber (Builder).[25] Garber later deferred his enshrinement in the Hall to 2018.[26]
On September 21, 2019, the Hall of Fame inducted the Class of 2019: Abby Wambach (Player) and Sunil Gulati (Builder).[29]
2020 ballot
In 2020, Carlos Bocanegra (Player) was the only person elected into the Hall of Fame; his induction was delayed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[30]
2021 ballot
On October 2, 2021, the Hall of Fame inducted three members of the Class of 2021: Steve Cherundolo (Player), Jaime Moreno (Veteran), and Kevin Payne (Builder). Christie Pearce was also elected but deferred her induction to 2022. Carlos Bocanegra was also inducted as the lone member of the Class of 2020 after his induction was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic.[31]
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.[38]
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.
