Soccer Hall of Fame announce six-member 2022 class

The National Soccer Hall of Fame announced its six-member Class of 2022 on Sunday, featuring Major League Soccer figures Clint Dempsey and Marco Etcheverry among the honorees. 

They are joined by former US women’s national team legends Shannon Boxx, Hope Solo, and Linda Hamilton. Referee Esfandiar Baharmast is on the list as well. 

The group will be formally inducted on May 21 at FC Dallas’ Toyota Stadium, alongside former USWNT captain Christie Pearce Rampone after she deferred her induction upon being chosen for the Hall of Fame’s 2021 class.

In order to be inducted, a person must appear on 75% of ballots, with a maximum of three people annually from the player ballot and two from the veteran ballot.

Here is a closer look at the honorees…

1. Clint Dempsey

Dempsey earned his National Soccer Hall of Fame spot during his first year of eligibility, appearing on 97.9% of Player ballots. He was informed of his induction by host Kate Abdo during CBS Sports’ live broadcast of the USMNT World Cup Qualifier against Canada on Sunday. 

Dempsey made his Major League Soccer debut in 2004 with the New England Revolution before going on to score 25 goals in 71 appearances over three seasons. The player then featured for English side Fulham from 2007 to 2012, where he managed 50 goals in 189 games. 

He spent one season with Tottenham, recording seven goals in 29 matches. In 2013, he returned to his MLS roots to spend the last years of his career with the Seattle Sounders. He made 115 appearances for the Western Conference club, scoring 47 goals. 

The player made his USMNT senior debut in 2004 and had a prolific international career. He represented the United States in two World Cups and several Concacaf tournaments. He stands as one of the most decorated players of the American side, with 57 career goals in 141 games and tied with Landon Donovan for the all-time program lead.

2. Marco Etcheverry

The former player earned his spot via the Veteran category after appearing on 83.3% of ballots.

The Bolivian midfielder stands as one of Major League Soccer’s best-ever players, and a historic figure for D.C. United. He played with the Washington D.C. side from 1996 to 2004, recording 101 assists and inspiring the team three MLS Cup wins, two Supporters’ Shields, one U.S. Open Cup, and one Concacaf Champions Cup.  

Etcheverry earned several individual honors while at D.C. United, including MLS MVP in 1998 and four different MLS Best XI spots. He was also named to the MLS All-Time Best XI in 2005.

He was informed about his Hall of Fame induction by announcer Andres Cantor and Tab Ramos in a surprise video.

3. Hope Solo

Hope Solo appeared on 81.3% of ballots to be inducted into this year’s class. 

Solo recorded 202 appearances as goalkeeper with the United States women’s national team. She represented the American team in three World Cups, leading the side to victory once. She also made three Olympic appearances, winning two gold medals with the United States.  

4. Shannon Boxx

Boxx appeared on 91.7% ballots to earn her spot in the Soccer Hall of Fame. 

The former player represented the US women’s national team, serving as a defensive midfielder. She recorded 27 goals in 195 appearances and represented the American side in four World Cups. 

Boxx also won three gold medals with the USWNT. 

5. Linda Hamilton

Linda Hamilton earned her way into the Soccer Hall of Fame through the veteran ballot, earning 79.2% of ballots. 

She was a part of the U.S. team the won the inaugural 1991 Women’s World Cup. Hamilton went on to record 71 international appearances from 1987 to 1995. 

She stood as a highly-decorated player in college as a four-time All-American, four-time All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection and was the runner-up for the national player of the year in each of her final three collegiate seasons.