The National Soccer Hall of Fame has announced its finalists for Class of 2021 consideration, placing 20 individuals on the Player ballot and another 10 apiece on the Veteran and Builder Ballots.
Among the finalists is former Philadelphia Union defender Oguchi Onyewu who closed out his professional career with the Boys in Blue in 2017. A United States Men’s National Team veteran, Onyewu made 69 caps for the Stars & Stripes, scoring six goals while being a part of the USMNT's 2006 and 2010 FIFA World Cup squads. During his lone season with the Union, "Gooch" started 22 matches and scored a memorable goal on his birthday against his hometown squad, D.C. United.
Others on the player ballot includes Inter Miami CF co-owner and president of soccer operations David Beckham, US men’s national team head coach Gregg Berhalter and CF Montréal head coach Thierry Henry, Austin FC head coach Josh Wolff, Real Salt Lake assistant coach Pablo Mastroeni and New England Revolution academy coach Shalrie Joseph, as well as LA Galaxy academy director (soccer operations) Kevin Hartman and Columbus Crew SC front office member Frankie Hejduk.
The Hall of Fame’s new Selection Committees will vote from Feb. 5 through Feb. 10, determining a class of two to four members. The 2021 class will be announced in March before the 2021 and 2020 class are both enshrined during a May 22 ceremony at the National Soccer Hall of Fame in Frisco, Texas. The Class of 2020 includes current Atlanta United VP and technical director Carlos Bocanegra, as well as Andres Cantor, the Colin Jose Media Award winner.
More information on the 40 candidates and voting process can be found here.
