March 11. 2003, Oneonta, NY) The National Soccer Hall of Fame announced today the 27 finalists for Induction 2003. “We are recognizing the wonderful legacy of the North American Soccer League in 2003 and all the finalists are NASL Alumni,\u0093 stated Will Lunn, President/CEO. “Over 2,500 players took part in the league from 1967 to 1984. Since the league ceased operations, 12 Players and 10 Builders have been inducted into the Hall of Fame. We believe it important to add to that number to fully recognize the contributions of the NASL to history of soccer in America.\u0093
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\u200bThe finalists are:
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\u200bCarlos Alberto (Brazil), 1977 \u0096 1982, New York Cosmos, California Surf
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\u200bGeorge Best (Northern Ireland), 1976 – 1981, Los Angeles Aztecs, Fort Lauderdale Strikers, and San Jose Earthquakes
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\u200bJohn Best (England/USA), 1967 – 1973, 1974 – 1980, Cleveland Stokers, Dallas Tornado, Seattle Sounders (Coach), Vancouver Whitecaps (GM)
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\u200bHubert Birkenmeier (Germany/USA), 1979 – 1984, New York Cosmos
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\u200bRoberto Cabanas (Paraguay), 1980 \u0096 1984, New York Cosmos
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\u200bPaul Child (England/USA), 1972 – 1981, Atlanta Chiefs, Atlanta Apollos, San Jose Earthquakes, Memphis Rogues
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\u200bMike Connell (South Africa/USA), 1975 \u0096 1984, Tampa Bay Rowdies
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\u200bKen Cooper (England/USA), 1970- 1979, Dallas Tornado
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\u200bTeofilo \u0091Nene’ Cubillas (Peru/USA), 1979 \u0096 1983, Fort Lauderdale Strikers
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\u200bSteve David (Trinidad and Tobago/USA), 1974 \u0096 1981, Miami Toros, Los Angeles Aztecs, Detroit Express, California Surf, San Diego Sockers, San Jose Earthquakes
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\u200bAndranik Eskandarian (Iran/USA), 1979 \u0096 1984, New York Cosmos
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\u200bRon Futcher (England), 1976 \u0096 1984, Minnesota Kicks, Portland Timbers, Tulsa Roughnecks
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\u200bKarl-Heinz Granitza, (Germany) 1978 \u0096 1984, Chicago Sting
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\u200bRay Hudson (England/USA), 1977- 1984, Fort Lauderdale Strikers, Minnesota Strikers
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\u200bBob Iarusci (Canada), 1976 \u0096 1984, Toronto Metros, New York Cosmos, Washington Diplomats, San Diego Sockers
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\u200bBob Lenarduzzi (Canada), 1974 \u0096 1984, Vancouver Whitecaps
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\u200bArnie Mausser (USA), 1975 \u0096 1984, Hartford Bicentennials, Tampa Bay Rowdies, Vancouver Whitecaps, Colorado Caribou, Fort Lauderdale Strikers, New England Tea Men, Jacksonville Tea Men, Team America
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\u200bCarlos Metidieri (USA), 1968 \u0096 1975, Los Angeles Wolves, Rochester Lancers, Boston Minutemen
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\u200bIlija Mitic (Yugoslavia/USA), 1968 \u0096 1978, Oakland Clippers, Dallas Tornado, San Jose Earthquakes
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\u200bJohan Neeskens (Netherlands), 1979 \u0096 1984, New York Cosmos
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\u200bPatrick \u0091Ace’ Ntsoelengoe (South Africa), 1973 \u0096 1984, Miami Toros, Denver Dynamo, Minnesota Kicks, Toronto Blizzard
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\u200bBob Rigby (USA), 1973 \u0096 1984, Philadelphia Atoms, New York Cosmos, Los Angeles Aztecs, Philadelphia Fury, Montreal Manic, Golden Bay Earthquakes
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\u200bKyle Rote, Jr. (USA), 1973 \u0096 1979, Dallas Tornado, Houston Hurricane
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\u200bBobby Smith (USA), 1973 \u0096 1981, Philadelphia Atoms, New York Cosmos, San Diego Sockers, Philadelphia Fury, Montreal Manic
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\u200bAl Trost (USA), 1973 \u0096 1979, St. Louis Stars, California Surf, Seattle Sounders
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\u200bAlan Willey (England/USA), 1976 \u0096 1984, Minnesota Kicks, Montreal Manic, Minnesota Strikers
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\u200bBruce Wilson (Canada), 1974 \u0096 1984, Vancouver Whitecaps , Toronto Metros, Chicago Sting, New York Cosmos, Toronto Blizzard
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\u200bBob Iarusci: Canadian defender who starred with several different teams during his nine seaons in the North American Soccer League.
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\u200bIarusci started his NASL career in 1976 with the Toronto Metros, and then played for Toronto again for part of the 1977 season. He played for the New York Cosmos for part of 1977 and all of ’78, for the Washington Diplomats in 1979 and ’80, the Cosmos again from 1981 to ’83 and the San Diego Sockers in 1984.
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\u200bIarusci won NASL championships with Toronto in 1976, a season in which he played every one of the Metros games, and New York in 1978. He was an NASL runner-up with New York in 1981, and a member of the Cosmos squad in
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\u200bthe championship season of 1977. He was chosen as an NASL North American all-star in 1979, ’80, ’81 and ’83, and an honorable mention NASL all-star in 1981.
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\u200bDuring his NASL career, Iarusci played 217 NASL regular-season games and 22 NASL playoff games.
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\u200bBob Lenarduzzi: Canadian defender-midfielder who played more games in the North American Soccer League than any other man, 312, including 288 in the regular season and 24 in the playoffs. In the course of this achievement, playing in a league dominated by United States-based teams, he probably had more influence on American soccer than any other player ever who wasn’t an American citizen and never played for an American club.
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\u200bLenarduzzi’s entire 11-season NASL career, from 1974 to 1984. was spent in his hometown with the Vancouver Whitecaps. He played in 35 games in the Whitecaps’ championship season of 1979 and more than 30 in five other seasons. Although primarily a defensive player, he did score 33 NASL goals. Lenarduzzi was an NASL North American all-star in 1978, ’79, ’81, ’82 and ’84.
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\u200bLenarduzzi won 47 full international caps for Canada. He played for Canada in both the 1984 Olympic Games and the 1986 World Cup finals, and was Canada’s national-team coach from 1992 to ’97. He played two seasons in the Major Indoor Soccer League.
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\u200bBruce Wilson: A Canadian defender for several North American Soccer League teams who was one of the best North American players in the NASL’s history.
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\u200bWilson was a stay-at-home style of defender. Although his 299 games (276 regular season and 23 playoff) rank him second only to fellow Canadian Bob Lenarduzzi in NASL appearances, he scored only eight NASL goals. He played 11 seasons in the NASL, 1974-77 with the Vancouver Whitecaps, 1978 and ’79 with the Chicago Sting, 1980 with the New York Cosmos and 1981-84 with the Toronto Blizzard. He played at least 20 games in each of those seasons.
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\u200bWilson was an NASL all-star six times. Three of those were first-team selections, in 1977, when he was with Vancouver, 1979, when he was with Chicago, and 1984, when he was with Toronto. He also was an NASL North American all-star in 1979, ’82, ’83 and ’84. He was a member of the squad when New York won the NASL championship in 1980, and was runner-up in both 1983 and ’84 with Toronto.
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\u200bWilson was one of the best players Canada has ever produced and was capped 51 times. He played for Canada in the 1984 Olympic Games and the 1986 World Cup, in which he captained the Canadian team. In 1998, he was the lone Canadian player elected to a CONCACAF “team of the century.”
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\u200bThe election of Hall of Famers in 2003 is being completed by a special committee consisting of already inducted NASL Hall of Famers and selected media who covered the league in its heyday. Of the 25 finalists, the up to 7 will become Hall of Famers. Announcement of the Hall of Fame Class of 2003 is expected in June.
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\u200bSelection for NASL Builders is also underway. Finalists will be announced in late March with the results being announced at the same time as the players’ announcement.
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\u200bInduction weekend will be October 10-13, 2003 in Oneonta, NY. Final plans for Induction Weekend 2003 will be released when the Class of 2003 is announced.
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\u200bThe National Soccer Hall of Fame, located in Oneonta, NY, opened a new 40,000 sq.ft., state-of-the-art museum in 1999. The new Hall of Fame tells the story of soccer in America and features World Cup as well as greatest moments in international soccer. The new Hall features an extensive interactive, youth oriented Kicks Zone where visitors have fun kicking, heading and playing computer trivia stations and video soccer games. The VideoWall features greatest moments and greatest goals as well as live soccer action with World Cup, MLS, US Soccer and WUSA matches. Unique and rare artifacts on exhibition range from the world’s oldest soccer ball to the Women’s World Cup won by the USA in 1999. Pele’s and Mia Hamm’s uniforms, Kristine Lilly’s golden shoes, NASL championship rings, MLS championship trophy, WUSA gallery \u0096 it’s all at the National Soccer Hall of Fame. In addition to the interactive Museum, the National Soccer Hall of Fame complex boasts the Kicks Hall of Fame Museum Store, a research library, four world class soccer fields and office/meeting facilities. The Hall plans to add a stadium, an indoor soccer arena and housing facilities by 2006. For additional information contact Jack Huckel at the National Soccer Hall of Fame 607/ 432-3351 ext. 209.
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\u200b“The mission of the National Soccer Hall of Fame is to Celebrate the History, Honor the Heroes, Inspire the Youth, and Preserve the Legacy of the game of Soccer.”
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\u200bJack Huckel
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\u200bDirector of Museum Services
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\u200bNational Soccer Hall of Fame
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\u200b“Where Soccer Legends Live!”
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\u200bOneonta, NY 13820
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\u200bPh: 607/432-3351 x209
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\u200bFAX: 607/432-8429
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