the facility recently was forced to close its door -- the future of the Hall of Fame and Museum is in a state of flux.
But it was revealed that the player election results would be announced on the Fox Football Fone-In on Fox Soccer Channel from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America in Philadelphia, Pa. on Thursday, Jan. 14 (7-10 p.m. ET). Only the player results will be announced, not the ones for veterans and builders.
With that major hurdle out of the way, other concerns come to the fore, such as who deserves to go in.
After no player was elected in 2008, the Hall's board of directors lowered the minimum percentage of the vote needed for election from 75 to 66 percent. Thanks to the change, former MLS defender Jeff Agoos (five-time MLS Cup champion) and one-time U.S. women's national team standout Joy Fawcett were elected last year.
So, who is Hall worthy for 2010?
This year's list has been pared down to 24 as a number of former players are gone.
Everyone has his or her own criteria of who belongs in a sports hall of fame. It should be someone who dominated his or her position. Of course, soccer becomes a bit more complicated than baseball or football because there is the international angle as well.
Regardless what follows, this is not an endorsement by Major League Soccer and only the writer's opinion.
PLAYERS
Hall worthy
These players can be considered leading contenders:
• Preki. This certainly is a rarity: someone who has won MVP honors in three leagues. Well before he earned two MLS scoring titles and league MVP and played for the U.S. in the 1998 World Cup (28 international appearances), the current Toronto FC coach starred in the original Major Indoor Soccer League (MVP in 1989) and Continental Indoor Soccer League (MVP in 1995). His MLS accomplishments were pretty impressive. That included four all-star selections and playing for the 2000 MLS Cup champions Kansas City Wizards. Preki collected 79 goals and 112 assists in 242 matches, winning MLS scoring titles in 1997 and 2003 (as a 40-year-old). He also played three seasons in England and two in the Yugoslavian first division.
• Earnie Stewart. He performed but two years in MLS, but played a vital role in D.C. United's 2004 MLS championship team. Stewart was a key performer in World Cup qualifiers (30 over three tournaments) and World Cups (1994, 1998 and 2002) for the U.S. He wore the red, white and blue 101 times and played 16 seasons in the Dutch Eredivisie.
• Robin Fraser. One of MLS's early stars, Fraser earned Best XI honors in four of the first five years for the Los Angeles Galaxy, missing out in 1997. He also was named defender of the year in 1999. Fraser also was an APSL (A-League) all-star for four consecutive years. He played for the Colorado Rapids and Columbus Crew, earning defender of the year honors and his fifth Best XI designation in 2004. He performed in 260 regular-season matches and another 30 in the playoffs.
The four amigos
These four outstanding midfielders stood out in their own way and were key players on their teams during the MLS early days. But this is the quandary: if you vote for one, do you have to vote for all of them?
• Marco Etcheverry. The former Bolivian international (1994 World Cup) was the kingpin of D.C. United's attack, helping the team to three MLS Cup titles (1996, 1997 and 1999). A perennial member of the MLS Best XI and a member of the league's all-time team, the man nicknamed "El Diablo" finished his career in 2003 with 34 goals and 101 assists in 191 regular-season games. He has the best credentials of the four.
• Mauricio Cienfuegos. He played all of his eight MLS seasons with the Galaxy, helping the team to the 2002 MLS Cup, his final season. The former El Salvador international's playmaking ability boosted him to the MLS Best XI three times and to seven MLS all-star games. Cienfuegos collected 35 goals and set up 78 others in 206 MLS regular-season games.
• Peter Nowak. The Philadelphia Union head coach was a major reason why the Chicago Fire were in the middle of things from 1998-2002. A one-time Bundesliga star and Polish international, Nowak earned MLS MVP honors with the championship Fire in the team's 1998 expansion season. He also was named to the league's all-time Best XI and guided D.C. United to the 2004 MLS title, the only player-coach to do so in league history. Now, how appropriate would be if Nowak's election to the Hall was announced in Philly?
• Carlos Valderrama. If they had a hair hall of fame, Valderrama would be a first-ballot selection. His stats with the Tampa Bay Mutiny, Miami Fusion and Colorado Rapids were stellar, thanks to his vision and uncanny ability to put a pass on target -- 16 goals and 114 assists while being named to the MLS all-time Best XI. The only mark against the former Colombian international's MLS career is that he never won a title.
On the bubble
In other years, they might have a chance, but it could be difficult for these former MLS or U.S. internationals to get the necessary votes:
• Raul Diaz Arce. A great scoring machine, mostly for D.C. United, but also for New England, San Jose, Tampa Bay and Colorado. A member of United's 1996 and 1997 MLS championship sides, Diaz Arce connected for 82 goals in 150 regular-season matches.
• Thomas Dooley. It would be easy to get lost in the shuffle of other players. A member of the 1994 and 1998 World Cup teams, Dooley made 81 international appearances, including 12 World Cup qualifiers. He played four MLS seasons for the Columbus Crew and MetroStars after 11 seasons in the German Bundesliga.
• John Doyle. -- A regular on the U.S. national team from the late '80s to early '90s, (53 internationals), Doyle played five seasons in MLS for the San Jose Earthquakes (135 appearances). He is the general manager with the Earthquakes.
• Roy Lassiter. The 1996 MLS scoring champion, he still holds the single season record of 27 goals. Lassiter finished with 88 in 179 MLS regular-season games after playing for Tampa Bay, D.C. United, Miami and Kansas City. As lethal as he was at the club level, Lassiter could never bring that scoring touch to the national team -- four goals in 30 international matches. He was a key member of D.C.'s 1997 championship team.
• Shannon MacMillan. Like it or not, MacMillan earned the reputation as a super sub for the U.S. women's national team at the 1996 Olympics and 1999 Women's World Cup. She came off the bench to strike for the game-winning goal in extra time in the 1996 Olympics semifinal win against archrival Norway. A M.A.C. Hermann Trophy winner as the top college player in 1995, MacMillan scored 60 goals in 175 internationals as a midfielder or forward.
• Joe-Max Moore. He played exactly 100 international matches and found the back of the net 24 times while participating in the 1992 Olympics and three World Cups (1994, 1998 and 2002). But that play never translated into MLS, where he endured an injury-laden six-year career with New England (93 games) after three seasons in the English Premiership and two in the German second division.
• Cindy Parlow. This forward scored 75 goals in 158 international appearances for the U.S. women's national team, but might have trouble getting in because a number of other former teammates have had more impressive credentials.
• Mike Sorber. An assistant coach on the national team, Sorber made 67 international appearances and enjoyed a memorable 1994 World Cup as one of the best U.S. players. While performing for Kansas City, the MetroStars and Chicago in MLS, the former defensive midfielder played in 116 regular-season games.
• Tisha Venturini-Hoch. While not as flashy as some of her teammates, Venturini-Hoch certainly was a serviceable player during her playing tenure with the women's national team (132 internationals). She was a member of the 1999 Women's World Cup championship side and the 1996 gold medalists at the Atlanta Summer Games. Venturini-Hoch also played in 60 Women's United Soccer Association games, including for the 2001 champion San Jose CyberRays.
• Peter Vermes. Currently the Kansas City Wizards technical director and coach, Vermes extended his career by moving from the front line to midfield and eventually to defense. He played in the Netherlands, National Professional Soccer League, U.S. Interregional Soccer League and MLS (184 appearances). He was the 2000 MLS defender of the year for MLS champion Kansas City.
Longshots
They had decent careers in MLS or with the national teams or both, but they could have trouble finding widespread support:
• Mike Burns. -- A member of the New England Revolution, San Jose Earthquakes and Kansas City Wizards in MLS, Burns made 75 international appearances. The defender competed in a major tournament at every level -- the FIFA Under-16 World championship (1987), U-20 world championship (1989), the Olympics (1992) and the World Cup (1998). He is vice president of player personnel with New England.
• Chris Henderson. -- Currently the technical director of Seattle Sounders FC, Henderson had played in more games than any other MLS player (317) when he hung up his boots for good in 2006. He suited up for Colorado, Kansas City (MLS Cup champions in 2000), Miami, Columbus and New York until he ended an 11-year MLS career in 2006. Capped 79 times, Henderson was a member of the 1990 U.S. World Cup team in Italy, but did not play.
• Eduardo Hurtado. -- An Ecuadoran international, Hurtado enjoyed two excellent MLS seasons, connecting for 21 goals for the Los Angeles Galaxy, who were MLS Cup finalists in 1996 (scoring the first goal in the game), and accruing 11 goals and 15 assists for MetroStars and L.A. in 1998. He also played in Scotland, Argentina, Chile and Ecuador.
• Dominic Kinnear. -- He scored nine goals in 54 appearances for the U.S. national team while performing in the A-League (San Francisco Bay Blackhawks, San Jose Hawks, Fort Lauderdale Strikers and Seattle Sounders) and in MLS (Colorado Rapids, San Jose Clash and Tampa Bay Mutiny) and Necaxa (Mexico). The way he's going, Kinnear probably will get in as a builder -- winning MLS Cup titles as a coach of the Houston Dynamo in 2006 and 2007.
• Victor Nogueira. -- He made his name as an indoor player. A goalkeeper, Nogueira had an indoor career that spanned 22 seasons -- nine in the original MISL (1991 and 1992) and another 13 in the NPSL, MISL II (MVP in 1996 and 1998). He also played six seasons in the NASL. His daughter Casey is a standout for the NCAA Division I women's champion North Carolina and a member of the U.S. women's national team.
• John O'Brien. -- Injuries interrupted this talented midfielder's career. His best days were in the Netherlands for Ajax, FC Utrecht and ADO Den Haag. He came home to play one game for Chivas USA in 2006. O'Brien performed in 32 international matches, including the 2002 World Cup, when he scored the opening goal of the 3-2 upset win over Portugal, and the 2006 World Cup.
• Steve Trittschuh. -- He made one appearance for the U.S. on defense in the 1990 World Cup en route to 37 international matches. He became the first U.S. player to appear in the European Champions' Cup, with Sparta Prague. He played for the St. Louis Steamers and St. Louis Ambush (both indoors), Tampa Bay Rowdies and Fort Lauderdale Strikers, Montreal Impact (A-League) and the Colorado Rapids and Tampa Bay Mutiny (MLS).
VETERAN'S CANDIDATES
They are a number of viable candidates in this category. Only one person will be elected, as per the rules. But which one will get the nod? Only the Hall of Famers themselves will know because they get to vote on this. The veteran who receives the most votes, as long as the total is at least 50 percent of the ballots cast, will be elected.
Last year, no one earned at least 50 percent of the vote. NASL pioneer Kyle Rote, Jr. led the way with 44.64 percent, followed by the late Glenn (Mooch) Myernick at 41.07 percent. Both men are still candidates.
Several other interesting names are on the list, including the late Northern Ireland standout George Best; Peruvian great Teofilo "Nene" Cubillas, who starred for the Fort Lauderdale Strikers (NASL); U.S. international defender Desmond Armstrong (81 international appearances); striker Bruce Murray (21 goals -- which was a record -- in 85 caps, including a World Cup goal); current Red Bulls TV color announcer Shep Messing, who made a name while playing for the Cosmos (one NASL championships) and indoor New York Arrows (four Major Indoor Soccer League titles); U.S. women internationals Linda Hamilton (71 caps) and Lori Henry, who were members of the 1991 Women's World Cup championship team; and American Soccer League standout Bill McPherson, who won five league titles and seven U.S. Open Cup championships in 11 ASL seasons from 1923-1935.
BUILDERS CANDIDATES
Again, this is an impressive list of 10 finalists. You really can't go wrong with any of them. Unfortunately, only one name can be picked a year. And unfortunately, incredibly no one was voted in last year because they did not receive the needed 50 percent. Los Angeles Galaxy coach Bruce Arena led the way with 47.8 percent, followed by Bob Gansler.
This could be the year for Gansler, who guided the U.S. to its first World Cup in 40 years in 1990 and the Wizards to the 2000 MLS championship.
Other candidates include Arena, two-time MLS champion coach and former U.S. national coach; Chuck Blazer, general secretary of CONCACAF and a member of the FIFA Executive Committee; Bob Contiguglia, past U.S. Soccer president and past U.S. Youth Soccer chairman; Tony DiCicco, past U.S. women's national team coach and 1996 Olympic gold medal and 1999 Women's World Cup champion; Don Garber, MLS commissioner; Francisco Marcos, founder and president emeritus and senior director of international development of United Soccer Leagues;, the late Fritz Marth, former executive director of U.S. Amateur/Adult Soccer Association; Kevin Payne, president and CEO of D.C. United; and two-time MLS champion coach Sigi Schmid, who currently directs Seattle Sounders FC.
Michael Lewis covers soccer for the New York Daily News and is editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He can be reached at SoccerWriter516@aol.com. Views and opinions expressed in this column are the author's, and not necessarily those of Major League Soccer or MLSnet.com.
