The all-time cap leader for the U.S. Men’s National Team, Cobi Jones, joins five others in their first year of eligibility for the Player ballot. Chris Armas, Jason Kreis, Carlos Llamosa, Eddie Pope and Danielle Slaton are also on the ballot for the first time. Of the 25 total players on the Player ballot, only Steve Trittschuh is in his final year of eligibility.
In order to be eligible for election as a Player, an individual must be retired as a player for between three and 10 calendar years and have either: 1) Played in at least 20 international games for the U.S., or 2) Played at least five seasons in an American first division professional league and be named to a post-season all-league or all-star team at least once.
Photo: Peter Nowak- Life.com
The voting pool includes all Hall of Famers, select soccer administrators and designated media members. Each voter can list 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 dropped from the Player ballot.
2011 National Soccer Hall of Fame Player Ballot
Chris Armas *; Mike Burns; Mauricio Cienfuegos;Raul Diaz Arce
Marco Etcheverry; Robin Fraser; Chris Henderson; Cobi Jones *; Jason Kreis *; Roy Lassiter;Carlos Llamosa *
Shannon MacMillan; Joe-Max Moore; Victor Nogueira; Peter Nowak
John O’Brien; Cindy Parlow; Eddie Pope *; Tiffany Roberts; Danielle Slaton *; Earnie Stewart; Steve Trittschuh
Carlos Valderrama; Tisha Venturini-Hoch; Peter Vermes
* First year of eligibility Final year of eligibility; moves to Veteran ballot in 2012
In addition to the Player ballot, voting is also underway in the Veteran Player and Builder categories. Ten players are up for selection on the Veteran ballot, which is voted on only by current Hall of Famers. Voters can name up to five 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 Veteran appears on 50 percent of the ballots then no one will be elected on the 2011 ballot. More than one candidate may be elected in the event of a tie.
Peter Nowak – he is a former assistant coach of the United States men’s national soccer team under Bob Bradley, and former head coach of United States U-23 men’s national soccer team.
Eligibility for the Veteran ballot is the same as the Player ballot except that a player must be retired for more than 10 years. Further, the U.S. National Team cap requirement is lowered from 20 to 10 if the 10 caps came prior to 1990.
2011 National Soccer Hall of Fame Veteran Ballot
Desmond Armstrong; George Best; Julio Cantillo;Teofilo Cubillas; John Doyle; Linda Hamilton
Bill McPherson; Shep Messing; Bruce Murray; Glenn Myernick
The 2011 Builder ballot includes seven individuals selected by a screening committee and follows the same procedures for election as the Veteran ballot, although the voting pool is expanded to also include select soccer administrators.
Builders are nominated by making their mark in the soccer community in a non-playing capacity while sustaining a major and positive impact on U.S. Soccer on a national or professional level for 10 years. Referees must serve as a FIFA referee for at least seven years to be eligible
2011 National Soccer Hall of Fame Builder Ballot
Chuck Blazer; Bob Contiguglia; Tony DiCicco; Bob Gansler; Francisco Marcos; Fritz Marth; Sigi Schmid.
The National Soccer Hall of Fame closed its Oneonta, N.Y., facility in 2010 and during this transitional period the election process is being administered by U.S. Soccer Federation 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.
U.S. Soccer Communications Center
U.S. Soccer Federation , Chicago, IL. www.ussoccer.com