FRISCO, Texas — A remarkable group of soccer talents has been elected to the U.S. National Soccer Hall of Fame, with Carli Lloyd, Chris Armas, Nick Rimando, Mary Harvey, and former Major League Soccer executive Mark Abbott set to be honored during the induction ceremony on May 3rd.
Carli Lloyd stands out as a celebrated player, renowned for her exceptional contributions to the U.S. Women’s National Team. In her inaugural appearance on the ballot, she achieved an impressive 97.9% support from the selection committee, garnering 47 out of 48 votes. Over her esteemed career, Lloyd netted 134 goals, ranking third in the history of U.S. women’s soccer. She is known for her pivotal role in the 2015 World Cup final, where she scored a hat trick against Japan. Furthermore, her accomplishments include two World Cup titles (2015, 2019) and two Olympic gold medals (2008, 2012). Also, she was twice honored as FIFA’s best women’s player in 2015 and 2016.
Nick Rimando also received significant recognition, attaining 35 votes or 72.9% in his third time on the ballot. This marked an improvement from his previous percentages of 60.3% and 47.9%. The 45-year-old goalkeeper made 22 appearances for the national team and had a noteworthy MLS career spanning 20 seasons, including stints with Miami, D.C. United, and Real Salt Lake. He clinched championships with D.C. in 2004 and was named the MVP of the 2009 MLS Cup while playing with Salt Lake.
Mary Harvey’s induction was equally commendable, as she garnered 95.8% of the votes, securing 23 out of 24 from the veterans’ selection committee. The 59-year-old was a vital part of the inaugural U.S. team to win the World Cup in 1991 and earned an Olympic gold medal in 1996, contributing to the team’s success with 27 international caps.
Chris Armas, who tallied 79.2% of the votes, equaled Tony Sanneh in initial votes before winning a tiebreaker through prior ballot screening criteria. Armas had a successful international career, marked by 66 caps and two goals while playing as a defender. His career included stints with LA Galaxy and Chicago Fire, and he has transitioned to coaching, having led teams such as the New York Red Bulls and Toronto FC.
To qualify for election, a candidate must achieve a minimum of 50% on the player ballots, with a higher threshold yielding a second inductee from the pool. Notably, Chris Wondolowski was a strong contender on his first ballot, receiving 28 votes, equivalent to 58.3%. He was followed by Lori Chalupny and Amy Rodriguez, each with 27 votes, and several others rounding out the ballot.
In the veterans’ category, Tatu emerged as a leading candidate with 62.5% of the votes, trailed closely by Clint Mathis. Other nominees included Kevin Crow and Aly Wagner. Armas prevailed against Sanneh in their tiebreaker due to his superior preliminary votes.
Mark Abbott played a transformative role in the evolution of MLS, being the league’s first hire in 1993. He served various capacities, including president and deputy commissioner from 2013 to 2022, and received 19 of 24 votes in the builders’ category. Clive Charles finished second in this category, followed by Richard Groff and others who contributed to the development and administration of soccer in the U.S.
This year’s Hall of Fame class embodies dedication, talent, and an indelible impact on the sport, promising a memorable induction ceremony in May.