Akers, Caligiuri, Wynalda to go into U.S. soccer Hall

CARSON, Calif. -- Michelle Akers, Paul Caligiuri and Eric Wynalda were chosen Wednesday for induction into the U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame.

The trio will be inducted at Oneonta, N.Y., on Oct. 9.

Akers, the third woman selected for the hall, had both goals for the United States when it won the Women's World Cup in 1991.

She also scored the first goal in the history of the U.S. women's team, and her 105 goals for the national team include the decisive score in the 1991 FIFA championship and the clinching penalty kick against Brazil in the 1999 World Cup semifinals.

"I feel like I've had a long career, the way my body feels today," Akers said by telephone from her home in Orlando, Fla. "When I retired, it was really my first chance to look back and see what we accomplished.

"I'd like to say thanks to my coaches and teammates over the years. And say thanks to my folks for driving me to soccer practice every day."

Will Lunn, president of the hall of fame, said, "Michelle set the standard for women soccer players in the world."

Caligiuri and Wynalda, both national team stars, will be the first former MLS players to be inducted.

Caligiuri put the United States into the men's World Cup for the first time in 40 years when he scored on a 35-yard volley in a qualifying match against Trinidad and Tobago in 1989.

The defender played all but 18 minutes of the United States' matches in the 1990 and '94 World Cups.

He said he was flattered to join Akers and Wynalda.

"The other two showed me so much on the field and off," Caligiuri said.

Although retired as a player, Caligiuri said, "I'm coaching the men's and women's programs at Cal Poly-Pomona. My commitment to the game is far from over."

Wynalda had 34 goals to finish his national team career as the top U.S. scorer. His MLS career was cut short by a knee injury and he retired in 2001.

His free kick from 35 yards against Switzerland in the 1994 World Cup was one of the tournament's most spectacular goals.

"I'm honored and excited," he said. "This is the best part of my career so far."

He thanked the coaches and media who voted for him, smiling and telling reporters at a Home Depot Center news conference, "I know it must have been hard for some of you after some of the things I put you through."

Akers received 70 of 73 votes in balloting by American soccer coaches and a national media panel. Wynalda received 68 votes and Caligiuri got 65.