There are names in American soccer that need no introduction: Mia, Alex, Landon, Clint. These players are some of the biggest stars in U.S. Soccer in the past generation. Their place in U.S. Soccer is secure, they will be remembered.
But what about the players who came before them - those whose names most people do not remember, who worked so hard to build a foundation for soccer in this country, but who get little recognition today? These now-retired legendsare responsible for setting the table for the popularity of soccer in America today, and as such deserve their own recognition as soccer stars:
5. Earnie Stewart - Midfielder
Photo: @AZAlkmaar | Twitter
“Big Ern,” as he was called in his day, played a huge part in the resurgence of soccer in his country in the 1990s and early 2000s. Stewart is known for scoring the goal that gave the U.S. the win over Colombia in group play of the 1994 World Cup, the first World Cup game won by the U.S. since 1950. He went on to have a prolific career in professional soccer, playing in the Dutch First Division, the Eredivisie, scoring 49 goals in six seasons before eventually moving on the play for D.C. United - winning the MLS Cup in his second season.
4. Eric Wynalda - Forward
Photo: @AO_SantaMonica | Twitter
Before Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey, there was Eric Wynalda. "Waldo" was the U.S. Men's National Team all-time leading scorer until Donovan broke his scoring records. Wynalda also became the first American to play in the Bundesliga with a top club, when he joined Saarbrucken in 1992.
3. Hugo Perez - Midfielder
Photo: psvunion.org
Perez, who was born in El Salvador, led the U.S. to the 1984 Olympic Games and helped the U.S. Men's National Team qualify for the 1990 World Cup - but was unable to play in the tournament because of injuries. He would finally make his World Cup debut in 1994.
2. Michelle Akers - Midfielder
Photo: @womensfootie_id | Twitter
Akers was the first American soccer player, male or female, to lead her team to a World Cup championship. She also helped the U.S. win gold in the ‘96 Olympics. Akers is one of only two females to be named one of the top soccer players of all-time by FIFA. To put it bluntly, there would be no Mia without Michelle.
1. Tab Ramos - Midfielder
Tab Ramos (#9) in the now-infamous match versus Columbia in the 1994 World Cup (Photo: @HistoriaFootbool | Twitter)
Ramos was one of the first soccer players born outside of the U.S. to help build soccer in this country. Ramos was one of the first Americans to play in the U-20 tournament back in the early 1980s. As good as he was, he was cut from the 1984 Olympic team, but that didn't stop him. Later, he would play for the U.S. in three World Cups, was one of the first players to sign with MLS and he now coaches the United States U-20 team. He was also elected to the Soccer Hall of Fame in 2005.
