Voters who will select this year's National Soccer Hall of Fame inductees received ballots today with the names of 35 eligible former players including Chivas USA Coach Preki among 13 new names and Joy Fawcett the most notable of 22 holdovers.

From the (edited) hall press release:

The top holdovers include U.S. National Team stalwarts Thomas Dooley (5th named on 51.8% of the ballots cast), Joy Fawcett (3rd on 67.4%), and Joe-Max Moore (6th on 48.2%). Among the newcomers are U.S. Men’s National Team stars Jeff Agoos, Preki, and Earnie Stewart. Top MLS players on the ballot include holdovers Marco Etcheverry (4th on 58.2%) of DC United, Peter Nowak (9th on 29.1%) of the Chicago Fire, and Carlos Valdarrama (7th on 46.8%) who finished his illustrious MLS career with the Colorado Rapids.

Players who receive votes on 75% of the ballots cast will be elected to the Hall of Fame. Induction 2008 is planned for the weekend of August 22 in Oneonta, N.Y.

Eligible players: Jeff Agoos, Brian Bliss, Mike Burns, Mark Chung, Mauricio Cienfuegos, Troy Dayak, Raul Diaz Arce, Thomas Dooley, John Doyle, Marco Etcheverry, Joy Fawcett, Danielle Fotopoulos, Robin Fraser, Brian Kamler, Dominic Kinnear, Frank Klopas, Manny Lagos, Roy Lassiter, Shannon MacMillan, Pato Margetic, Joe-Max Moore, Victor Nogueira, Peter Nowak, Oscar Pareja, Cindy Parlow, Preki, Mike Sorber, Earnie Stewart, Steve Trittschuh, Carlos Valderrama, Tisha Venturini-Hoch, Peter Vermes, Roy Wegerle, Evan Whitfield, Richie Williams.

Hall of Fame members should have had a lasting and influential effect on the game in the U.S. to win admission.

My nominees:
Mauricio Cienfuegos - Creative midfield architect of a formative Galaxy whose legacy may still overshadow the team today.
Marco Etcheverry - Three-time MLS Cup winner with D.C. United and MLS MVP who helped create the D.C. dynasty.
Joy Fawcett - Whose unjust omission when Mia Hamm and Julie Foudy were inducted prompted a rule change in the induction procedures, if I recall correctly.
Shannon MacMillan - World Cup, Olympic winner over 176 internationals.
Peter Nowak - Without whose tenacity and intelligence marshaling the midfield the Chicago Fire would not have won an MLS title.
Preki - MVP in MLS, MISL and CISL, who possessed an opponent-freezing cut-back and venomous shot and was instrumental in the Wizards 2000 MLS Cup-winning season.
Carlos Valderrama - The most amazing passer of the ball MLS has ever seen.

Disagree? Read biographies and cast a ballot in the (unofficial popular) vote here.

Posted by Nick Green at 11:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Galaxy beat writer Billy Witz points out today that instead of resting up for Sunday's crucial contest against Toronto, the team could have been on the road playing meaningless exhibitions if David Beckham was healthy.

He's not, of course, and likely won't play this weekend.

Wonder if the AEG bean counters will see the error of their ways and ease up on the schedule to give the Galaxy a better chance of actually fielding a competitive team in MLS games? Don't bet on it.

The story is here.

By the way, those looking for cheapo Galaxy gear should check out the MLS outlet store where old green and yellow garb is going for bargain prices. I'm talking $24 shirts for $9 and $20 T-shirts for $6.

Check it out here.

Meanwhile, there's apparently still a few spots left on the Galaxy's annual charity "Day on the Links" golf tournament in Fullerton Monday for those who want to shoot a round with a player or two.

Details are here.

Finally, for indoor soccer fans out there (there's gotta be at least one) Fox Soccer Channel on Tuesday announced its first television package with the Major Indoor Soccer League since it was known as Fox Sports World earlier this century.

The 20-game package on Friday nights begins at 5 p.m. Nov. 16.

Complete details are here.

Posted by Nick Green at 8:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)