By VINCE MADURI
Former U.S. Men’s National Team players Peter Vermes and Joe-Max Moore were elected into the National Soccer Hall of Fame, U.S. Soccer announced on Wednesday.
Moore was voted in on the regular Players Ballot, while Vermes was selected via the Veterans Ballot.
Moore played for three different World Cup teams as a forward and a midfielder. Beginning with the 1992 Olympics, Moore made 100 appearances for the Men’s National Team, scoring 24 goals (5th all-time). Moore also spent six seasons with the New England Revolution in Major League Soccer, scoring 53 goals.
Vermes, currently the head coach of Sporting Kansas City made his debut for the National Team at the 1988 Olympics and went on to captain the team for the Inaugural Gold Cup in 1991, which the USA won. Vermes had 67 caps and scored 11 goals.
In Vermes’ club career, he became the first American to play in the Hungarian first division with Raba ETO FC and Dutch first division with F.C. Volendam before playing seven seasons in Major League Soccer for the New York MetroStars, Colorado Rapids and Kansas City Wizards.
“Soccer is the consummate team sport and being inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame is certainly indicative of that. It is humbling and a great honor” Vermes said. “I am appreciative and have learned so much from all of the teammates I have played with and now all the players I have been around from the youth level up on the technical side. My dedication and passion for soccer will never waver and I am so grateful for this recognition.”
“If someone would have told me 30 years ago that a Delran, New Jersey kid with Hungarian parents would be elected into the National Soccer Hall of Fame, I would not have believed it. My dad instilled in me an attitude to never take anything for granted and that certainly applies here. My dedication and passion for soccer will never waver and I am so grateful for this recognition.”
The location and date of the 2013 National Soccer Hall of Fame ceremony has yet to be determined.
What do you think of the selections? Do you remember watching Vermes and Moore play? Who didn’t make the Hall of Fame this year that you feel should have?
Share your thoughts below.
