New England Soccer Hall of Fame Announces 2010 Class of Inductees

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The New England Soccer Hall of Fame announced its 2010 class of inductees at the Portuguese Sporting Club Tuesday night.

Jose “Joe” Barroso, Brian Bliss, Tony Crescitelli, Manny Matos, Patricia Votolato and Bojan “Bo” Vuckovic will be honored by the Hall on November 14, 2010 at 12:30pm at the Riviera Inn in East Providence, RI.

Barroso, a member of the United States National Team in 1990, began his professional career in New York’s “Super League” playing for Vasco da Gama in 1982 before he went on to play first division football in Portugal from 1985-86. He returned Stateside in 1986 to play for Taunton Eagles and Ludlow Lusitano from 1986-89 and recorded his his first cap against the Netherlands in 1990.

In 1992, he went to the U.S Open Cup Finals with Vasco da Gama of Bridgeport, CT as a player/coach. After coaching at various levels from 1991-2004, he became the head coach of the men’s team at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT. He resides in Bridgeport, CT.

Bliss, a veteran of the United States National Team from 1984-95, picked up 44 caps and scored two goals during his tenure with the Nats. He starred at Southern Connecticut State University from 1983-86 before he moved on to the indoor game with the Cleveland Force from 1987-88. His parlayed his experience in the 1990 World Cup to a European career from 1990-96, where he played in Germany in Bundesliga 2.

In 1996, he joined MLS and played for the Columbus Crew, New York MetroStars, and Kansas City Wizards from 1996-98 before he hung up his boots to coach for the Connecticut Wolves in 1999. After a coaching stint with Kansas City from 2006-07, he was named technical director of the Columbus Crew in 2008. He resides Columbus, OH.

Crescitelli, a standout striker at North Adams State College (MA) from 1975-78, still holds the NCAA Division III records for career goals per game average (1.98) and career goals (132 in 62 games). After his success at the collegiate level, Crescitelli was drafted by the Washington Diplomats in 1979, and went on to score 15 goals in 26 games with the Dips. In 1983, he picked up his only National Team cap, vs. Haiti. He continued his career during NASL’s indoor league from 1979-84, and continued playing indoors into the late-80s. He lives in East Rockaway, NY.

Matos, a veteran of the NASL in the 70s, ended his professional playing career in 1978 to pursue coaching. He returned to his alma mater – New Bedford High School -and took the reins of the boys soccer team, a position he would hold for 24 years. In 2001, he was inducted into the Massachusetts High School Soccer Coaches Association Hall of Fame. He resides in New Bedford, MA.

Votolato, an influential member of the Rhode Island soccer community, has been active in youth soccer for over 16 years. She was a Committee Member of the Host Regional Cup from 1999-2002, and a Committee Member for the Regional AGM Meeting in 2005. She has devoted countless hours to the game, and has always promoted fair play, positivity, and taught and encouraged her players to focus on skills rather than winning. Currently, she serves as a Board Member of both the Rhode Island Soccer Association and Soccer Rhode Island Youth Association. She lives in Greenville, RI.

Vuckovic, who’s named is synonymous with Vermont soccer, played collegiately at Franklin Pierce University from 1991-94, where he racked up a whopping 247 points, a school record. In 1995, he went on to pursue his trade indoors with the Arizona Sandsharks, and was named Rookie of the Year that season. In 1996, he played for the New England Revolution before moving on to play for the Montreal Impact from 1997-98. From there, he went on to play for the Vermont Voltage, a team he has also coached and run behind the scenes since 1999. He is an member of the Premier Development League’s (USL) Executive Committee. He resides in St. Albans, VT.

Tickets for the event are available to the public by contacting Joseph Sousa at 401-434-6592.