National Soccer Hall of Fame
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The National Soccer Hall of Fame is a hall of fame located in Oneonta, New York that honors the best American soccer players, and individuals who have helped build the sport in the United States. Despite its location in the United States, non-American players can be honored, but must have either played, or contributed to, soccer in the United States (like former North American Soccer League players Pelé and Franz Beckenbauer).
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In order to be eligible in the Player category an individual must have met Number 1, and either Number 2, or Number 3 of the following three criteria:
1. Retired as a player for at least three years, but for no more than 10 years
2. Played at least 20 full international games for the United States. This requirement is reduced to 10 games if the games were prior to 1990 and 5 games if the games were prior to 1960.
3. Played at least five seasons in an American first-division professional league (currently MLS), and won either the league championship, or the U.S. Open Cup, or was selected as a league all-star at least once.
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.
In order to be eligible in this category, an individual must have made his or her mark in soccer in a non-playing capacity and have had a major, sustained and positive impact on soccer in the United States at a national or First Division professional level. 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.