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Wambach headlines newcomers on National Soccer Hall of Fame ballot

The National Soccer Hall of Fame released its official list of eligible candidates for 2019’s induction class on Tuesday. One of the greatest players in U.S. Women’s National Team history headlined the selections while plenty of former MLS standouts entered their first year of eligibility.

Two-time Olympic gold medalist and six-time U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year award-winner Abby Wambach is eligible for selection. Wambach totaled 256 caps for the USWNT, scoring 184 goals and represented the country in four World Cups while earning gold in 2015.

Edson Buddle, Kenny Cooper, Heath Pearce, Todd Dunivant, Troy Perkins, and Donovan Ricketts were also among former players who enter their first year of eligibility.

Buddle amassed over 350 professional appearances during time in the U.S. and Germany, while also winning 11 caps for the U.S. Men’s National Team. Pearce won 35 caps with the USMNT while moving to MLS after beginning his professional career in Europe. Cooper began his career with Manchester United but would never make a senior appearance for the club. He won 10 caps with the USMNT while also appearing for six MLS franchises during his career.

D.C. United head coach Ben Olsen, former New England Revolution player and current ESPN analyst Taylor Twellman, and former USMNT player Tony Sanneh face their final year of eligibility.

Current MLS head coaches Greg Vanney and Chris Armas are in the Veteran category of the candidates while Dom Kinnear, Chris Henderson, and Mike Burns are also included. Sunil Gulati, Tim Leiweke, and Lothar Osiander headline the Builders category.

In order to earn a spot in the Hall of Fame, nominees must receive 66.7 percent of the vote. Those receiving less than five percent are removed from the ballot.

The Hall’s class of 2019 will be enshrined during Induction Weekend which is currently set for Sept. 21-22 in Frisco, Texas.

Comments

  1. Sanneh deserves it solely based on his performance in the 2002 World Cup. Had his header against Germany gone in, he’d already be in.

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  2. This list of newcomers is pretty underwhelming, honestly. All solid, but unremarkable, MLS players. I would say that Olsen, Twellman and Saneh should all get serious considerations.

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