All Eligible Candidates for 2020 National Soccer Hall of Fame Ballot Announced

Staff Reports

14 Retired Players Added to 2020 Player Ballot, 4 to the Veteran Ballot, 5 to the Builder Ballot

From Left to Right, first ballot players Hope Solo, Carlos Ruiz and Clarence Goodson.

Frisco, Texas — Ballots for election to the National Soccer Hall of Fame Class of 2020 via the Player category were finalized on February 20th, with 14 retired players meeting the eligibility criteria. Ballots for the Veteran and Builder categories were also revealed today and are listed below.

Players in their first year of eligibility include U.S. National Team World Cup alumni Brad Davis (2014), Whitney Engen (2015), Herculez Gomez (2010), Clarence Goodson (2010) and Hope Solo (2007, 2011, 2015); former MLS MVPs Mike Magee (2013) and Carlos Ruiz (2002); MLS Best XI selections Nat Borchers (2010), Conor Casey (2009), Justin Mapp (2006), Jamison Olave (2010, 2011) and Robbie Rogers (2008); and WPS All-Stars Jen Buczkowski (2011) and Kelly Smith (2009, 2010).

In order to be eligible for election as a Player, an individual must be retired for at least three full calendar years, but for no more than 10 full calendar years, and have either: 1) Played in at least 20 full international games for the U.S.; if played prior to 1990, the game requirement is reduced to 10 games, or 2) Played at least five seasons in an American first-division professional league and named to a postseason league All-Star team at least once.

The voting pool includes all past and present full Men's and Women's National Team coaches, all active MLS and NWSL head coaches with a minimum of four years of experience as a head coach at the highest level in the United States, MLS and NWSL management representatives, the MLS and NWSL Commissioners/Executive Director, U.S. Soccer CEO/Secretary General, U.S. Soccer President, designated media members and all Hall of Famers.

Each voter can select up to 10 candidates per ballot. Any player appearing on at least 66.7 percent of ballots will earn election, while any player who does not appear on at least five percent of ballots will be removed from voting contention until they qualify for the Veteran ballot.

Of the 42 individuals on the Player ballot, Chris Klein, Eddie Lewis, Kate Sobrero Markgraf, Clint Mathis, Jaime Moreno and Steve Ralston are in their final year of eligibility.

Ballots for election to the National Soccer Hall of Fame Class of 2020 via the Veteran Player and Builder categories have been finalized. Four retired players met the eligibility criteria to now be included on the Veteran ballot, while five new candidates have been added to the Builder category.

Voting for the National Soccer Hall of Fame Class of 2020 will commence on Wednesday, March 18.

Players in their first year of eligibility on the Veteran ballot include U.S. National Team alumni Frank Klopas (1988-95) and Taylor Twellman (2002-08);MLS Best XI selection Marco Etcheverry (1996, 97, 98 & 99);and All-MISL First Team selection Slavisa “Steve” Zungul (1985, 86 & 87).

In order to be eligible for election as a Veteran, an individual must be a retired player for more than 10 full calendar years and have either: 1) Played in at least 20 full international games for the U.S.; if played prior to 1990, the game requirement is reduced to 10 games, or 2) Played at least five seasons in an American first-division professional league and named to a postseason league All-Star team at least once, or 3) Played at least five seasons in the MISL between 1984-1992 and been named a postseason league All Star at least once.

The Veteran ballot will be voted on by current Hall of Famers who can select up to five (5)Veteran candidates, and the top vote-getter will be elected as long as he or she appears on a minimum of 50 percent of the ballots. If no individual appears on 50 percent of the ballots, then no Veteran will be elected to the 2020 Class. More than one(1)candidate may be elected in the event of a tie.

In order to be eligible as a Builder, an individual must be at least 50 years old or deceased, have made a positive impact on American soccer at the national federation or Division I level lasting at least 10 years and cannot be a current elected official or current full-time employee of the National Soccer or Hall of Fame.

The 2020 Builder ballot includes ten(10) individuals selected by a screening committee and those who can vote:U.S. Soccer Director of Officials, MLS and NWSL management representatives, MLS Commissioner, NWSL Executive Director,U.S. Soccer Secretary General ,U.S. Soccer President, and all Hall of Famers.

2020 National Soccer Hall of Fame Player Ballot

David Beckham

Gregg Berhalter

Carlos Bocanegra

Nat Borchers*

Shannon Boxx

Jen Buczkowski*

Conor Casey*

Lori Chalupny

Lauren Cheney Holiday

Steve Cherundolo

Brian Ching

Kenny Cooper

Jeff Cunningham

Brad Davis*

Whitney Engen*

Herculez Gomez*

Clarence Goodson*

Kevin Hartman

Frankie Hejduk

Thierry Henry

Stuart Holden

Eddie Johnson

Chris Klein**

Amy LePeilbet

Eddie Lewis**

Lori Lindsey

Mike Magee*

Justin Mapp*

Kate Sobrero Markgraf**

Pablo Mastroeni

Clint Mathis**

Heather Mitts

Jaime Moreno**

Jamison Olave*

Steve Ralston**

Cat Reddick Whitehill

Robbie Rogers*

Carlos Ruiz*

Hope Solo*

Kelly Smith*

Aly Wagner

Josh Wolff

*First year of eligibility

**Final year of eligibility; moves to Veteran ballot in 2021

2020 National Soccer Hall of Fame Veteran Ballot

Chris Armas

John Doyle

Marco Etcheverry

Mary Harvey

Chris Henderson

Frank Klopas

Shep Messing

Tiffany Roberts

Taylor Twellman

Greg Vanney

Tisha Venturini-Hoch

Slavisa “Steve” Zungul

2020 National Soccer Hall of Fame Builder Ballot

Mark Abbott

Esse Baharmast

Joe Cummings

Richard Groff

Sandra Hunt

Robert Kraft

Francisco Marcos

Thom Meredith

Kevin Payne

Jim Trecker

Complete information about the election and eligibility procedures is available online at nationalsoccerhof.com. The election process is administered by National Soccer Hall of Fame staff under election and eligibility guidelines established by the Hall of Fame Board of Directors. Established in 1950, the National Soccer Hall of Fame is dedicated to the sport of soccer in America by celebrating its history, preserving its legacy, inspiring its youth and honoring its heroes for generations to come.

-nationalsoccerhof.com-