He has appeared in three World Cups for the U.S. national team and represented the United States at the 1996 Olympics. On Tuesday, Major League Soccer standout Eddie Pope has been introduced into his newest role as director of player relations for the Major League Soccer Players Union.
"I am very excited to be joining the MLS Players Union," said Pope. "The players in MLS have worked very hard and sacrificed a great deal to build the league.
"I look forward to working for the players to help them achieve a better life for themselves and their families."
Pope joins the Union at a critical time. Among his duties to oversee all player communications and relations, Pope will have a hand in negotiating a collective bargaining agreement to replace the current deal, which is due to expire at the end of the 2009 season.
The 11-time MLS All-Star will have will have to keep the peace between owners and players in his new executive role. Current D.C. United midfielder and union executive board member, Ben Olsen, believes there is no one better to fill the shoes of player relations director better than Pope.
"Eddie Pope is a soccer icon," said Olsen. "He is respected by every player in the league, and he will command respect in his new role with the Union. We are thrilled to have him working with us."
Pope was an MLS Original, playing every season in the league with D.C. United, the MetroStars and Real Salt Lake. He made 254 appearances over his MLS career, scoring 10 goals from his center back position. A four-time recipient of Best XI honors, Pope was also named to the league's All-Time Best XI when it was announced in conjunction with the league's 10th season. He was the second player overall taken in the inaugural college draft out of the University of North Carolina.
Pope also won three MLS Cups with D.C. United, scoring the golden-goal winner in the inaugural final against the Los Angeles Galaxy. The 1997 MLS Defender of the Year, he was a five-time finalist for the award, and was also winner of the league's Fair Play Award in 2004. A two-time Humanitarian of the Year recipient from his respective teams, he has also pursued a number of charitable endeavors. Pope started and maintained the Eddie Pope Foundation to help underprivileged children to achieve success.
