National Soccer Hall of Fame facts for kids
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Main entrance to the NSHF in 2021
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| Established | 1950 (as institution in 1979) |
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| Location | Toyota Stadium Frisco, Texas |
| Type | Professional sports hall of fame |
| Visitors | 17,000 per year |
The National Soccer Hall of Fame is a special place that celebrates amazing achievements in soccer in the United States. It's like a museum and a hall of fame all in one! Being inducted into the Hall of Fame is the highest honor a person can receive in American soccer.
Today, you can find the Hall of Fame inside Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas. Frisco is a city near Dallas. This Hall of Fame is a team effort between FC Dallas, the City of Frisco, the Frisco Independent School District, and the U.S. Soccer Federation.
Contents
The Story of the Hall of Fame
The idea for the Hall of Fame started way back in 1950. A group of former soccer players from Philadelphia, called the "Old-timers" Association, wanted to make sure that great soccer players and their achievements in America were remembered and honored.
The Museum's Journey
The first Hall of Fame museum opened its doors on June 12, 1999, in Oneonta, New York. It was a cool place with the Hall of Fame itself, a library, and even an interactive area where you could play soccer!
For a while, the museum also worked with the United States National Soccer Team Players Association on a program called "Time In." This program honored people who were bravely fighting leukemia and had a connection to soccer. Many of these honorees were young soccer players.
In 2005, the Hall of Fame made sure to honor some important players from the early and mid-1900s. These players, sometimes called the "Magnificent Five," had been overlooked for a while. Thanks to new historical records, players like Tommy Fleming and Alex McNab were finally recognized for their amazing careers before 1950.
Unfortunately, the museum in Oneonta faced some money problems. In 2009, it had to close to the public on most days. By February 2010, the facility closed completely, though new people continued to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
But the story didn't end there! In September 2015, exciting news came out: a brand new Hall of Fame museum would be built. Its new home would be at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, which is also where the Major League Soccer team FC Dallas plays. This new, modern museum opened on October 20, 2018. It's filled with cool items from soccer legends and has lots of high-tech, interactive exhibits for visitors to enjoy.
Amazing Soccer Treasures
Even when the first museum closed, its huge collection of over 80,000 items was carefully moved to different places. This collection includes some truly special pieces of soccer history:
- The oldest soccer ball ever made in the United States.
- The Women's World Cup Trophies from 1991, 1999, 2015, and 2019.
- Important records from the North American Soccer League.
- Records from the 1994 FIFA World Cup held in the U.S.
- A rare collection of soccer photos from a New York photographer named John Albok.
- Items from U.S. national teams that played in the World Cup.
- Artifacts from early American Soccer Leagues.
- Pelé’s jersey from when he played for the New York Cosmos.
- The Lamar Hunt Open Cup trophy.
- Mia Hamm’s cleats.
- Items celebrating the very first U.S. World Cup team from 1930.
Who Can Join the Hall of Fame?
People can be inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in one of three groups: Player, Builder, or Veteran (player). New members are added every year.
Player Category
To be chosen as a Player, someone needs to meet certain rules:
- They must have stopped playing soccer professionally for at least three years, but no more than 10 years.
- They must have played at least 20 full international games for the United States. If they played before 1990, this number is lower, at 10 games.
- OR, they must have played at least five seasons in a top-level American professional league (like MLS or NWSL). During that time, they also needed to have won a league championship, or the U.S. Open Cup, or been chosen as a league all-star at least once.
Veteran Player Category
Players who meet the game or league requirements but retired more than 10 years ago are considered for the Veteran category. This ensures that older players who made a big impact are still recognized.
Builder Category
The Builder category is for people who have had a huge, lasting, and positive effect on soccer in the United States. This is for people who weren't players, but helped the sport grow at a national or top professional level. Because this category is broad, nominations are carefully reviewed by historians and researchers.
The Medal of Honor
The National Soccer Hall of Fame's Medal of Honor is the highest award given. It goes to people who have shown great vision and played a historic role in changing soccer in America. This special medal has only been given out four times in history.
| Number | Awarded | Name | Achievements |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1998 | Alan Rothenberg | Led the 1994 World Cup President of U.S. Soccer (1990–98) Helped start MLS |
| 2 | 1999 | Lamar Hunt | Co-founder of the NASL Owned 3 MLS teams Built one of the first soccer-specific stadiums |
| 3 | 2001 | 1991 Women's national team | Won the first ever Women's World Cup |
| 4 | 2006 | Phil Anschutz | Very important in growing U.S. soccer Owned many MLS teams Helped MLS build soccer-specific stadiums |
New Members Every Year
Each year, new soccer heroes are chosen to join the Hall of Fame. For example, in 2023, the Hall of Fame welcomed DaMarcus Beasley, Landon Donovan, Lauren Holiday, Kate Markgraf, Steve Zungul (all as Players), and Jill Ellis (as a Builder). Hope Solo was also inducted, having been elected in 2022.
All the Inductees
Here are the amazing people who have been honored in the National Soccer Hall of Fame.
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 – 2023
- 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 – 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
- Tim Howard - 2024
- 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
- Carli Lloyd – 2025
- 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
- Josh McKinney – 2024
- 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
- Tisha Venturini-Hoch – 2024
- 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
- 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
- Francisco Marcos – 2024
- 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
Colin Jose Media Award
The Colin Jose Media Award honors people in the media who have done amazing and long-lasting work for soccer in the United States. The award is named after Colin Jose, who was the official historian for the Hall of Fame for many years. He is known worldwide as a top expert on North American soccer history.
- 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
MLS Hall of Fame Game
The MLS Hall of Fame Game used to be an annual friendly soccer match. It was played between two MLS teams and happened around the same time as the National Soccer Hall of Fame induction ceremony. These games 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 |
Images for kids
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The former National Soccer Hall of Fame Museum in Oneonta, New York.
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A giant soccer ball coming out of the former National Soccer Hall of Fame Museum.
See also
In Spanish: National Soccer Hall of Fame para niños
- St. Louis Soccer Hall of Fame
- List of members of the National Soccer Hall of Fame
- United Soccer Coaches Hall of Fame
