The U.S. National Soccer Hall of Fame Induction ceremony was held at FedEx Field Stadium in Landover, MD on May 30 and The Documentist was there. Former players, Desmond Armstrong, Tony Meola, Claudio Reyna and Coach Tony DiCicco were inducted into the U.S. National Soccer Hall of Fame.
Besides the obvious accomplishments of each individual to achieve such an honor, what was impressive about the evening was how much family was a theme to almost everyones speeches. For a photographer who documents families it was refreshing to hear.
I am not going to tell you about who their individual stats and their careers, wikipedia or some other source can handle that. I’m not going to tell you about how the individuals get selected because the Hall of Fame rules can tell you that. What I would like to tell you about is the emotions of the evening and some things that were said.
Concentration on Family:
Tony DiCicco was presented by his son. What son wouldn’t be proud of his father who has accomplished as much as DiCicco. Coach DiCicco was the coach of the women’s teams that won an Olympic gold medal and a World Cup.
When DiCicco was giving his speech he mentioned how two of his kids were not at the ceremony because while they were driving cross country to be at the ceremony their car broke down somewhere in Kansas. Luckily his wife and other kids were there to support him. Here’s a photo of the some of the happy family.
- DiCicco
Desmond Armstrong’s presenter was John Kerr, Jr. John Kerr, Jr. was a fellow teammate from the US Men’s National team and the days when the two of them won a youth national championship. John Kerr, Sr., who played professionally in the North American Soccer League (NASL), was the coach of that youth team. John Kerr, Sr. passed away last year. Desmond explained that John Kerr, Sr. had a major impact on his playing career.
Desmond Armstrong was the first to bring tears to himself and the audience. He was visibly emotional by the honor. His speech dealt with legacy. His kids, along with others, will know that he accomplished something. He jokingly remarked how he had enough kids for a soccer team. He then reiterated the statement to say an indoor soccer team. All seven of his kids were present, along with his wife, mother, father and brother. He also jokingly mentioned how he was from Washington DC and it was good that he only had a certain number of tickets or else almost all the seats would be filled with his relatives. Here’s a photo of the happy family.
- Armstrong
Tony Meola became tearful when speaking of Lamar Hunt, the former owner of the Kansas City Wizards of Major League Soccer who passed away in 2006. Apparently Mr. hunt treated Meola well and Meola felt close to him. When Meola’s playing career finished, there seemed to be a brief time of soul searching and he wasn’t sure what the next step in life would be. He found strength by coaching his son’s 11 year old soccer team. After Meola’s speech Master of Ceremonies, Dave Johnson, half jokingly remarked with somewhat watery eyes about how he was emotionally together until the story about the 11 year old boys team. I think that was the case for many people in the room. You are tough enough to play in the World Cup and win championships in the MLS but sometimes it’s the love for your child that gives you the most strength. Here’s a photo of the happy family.
- Meola
Claudio Reyna was not present at the ceremony. It was said that he was unable to attended because of family matters.
Now all of these inductees are part of the Hall of Fame family. I congratulate them. I also congratulate some other Hall of Famers with families that I spoke with while at the ceremony. Mia Hamm, the former U.S. Women’s Soccer National Team standout was there with her newest addition.
Hamm
Eddie Pope former U.S. Men’s national team player mentioned he had a 7 month old.
Enjoy some more photos of proud of the inductees, family and fans. Click photos to enlarge and see as a gallery.
Studio 90 (ussoccer.com) did interviews with the Inductees. You can watch the video below
The Documentist 