Meola, Reyna Get Call to Hall

Former U.S. goalkeeper Tony Meola was among four inducted to the National Soccer Hall of Fame on Wednesday (Photo: Peter Stuart).

The first time proved to be the charm for former U.S. Men’s National Team members Claudio Reyna and Tony Meola on Wednesday after both were elected to the National Soccer Hall of Fame.

Reyna and Meola, who both debuted on the Player ballot last month, joined former U.S. teammate Desmond Armstrong, who was elected via the Veteran ballot, and former U.S. Women’s National Team head coach Tony DiCicco, who was elected via the Builder’s ballot, as part of the 2012 class of inductees.

Reyna, who collected 112 caps between 1994-2006, led the Player ballot garnering 96.08% of vote. During his club career, he played for Manchester City, Sunderland and Glasgow Rangers. He ended his career in 2008 with the New York Red Bulls before taking over as the US Youth Soccer Technical Director in 2010.

“It’s an incredible honor to be inducted into the Hall of Fame,” said Reyna in a statement. “Soccer has been my life from the moment I could walk. You don’t think or play for these type of recognitions but it is a tremendous honor and I want to thank my former teammates, former coaches and everybody else close to me, especially my family, who supported me – from those who drove me all over as a youth player to my wife and children who have been here my whole career.”

Meola earned 100 caps from 1988-2006 and garnered 90.2% of the Player ballot vote. He played in 250 games during his 11-year MLS career (1996-2006), and earned league MVP and goalkeeper of the year in 2000 when his Kansas City Wizards lifted the MLS Cup. Today, he spends much of his time coaching in the youth ranks.

“It’s certainly the greatest honor you can have in your chosen profession, to be mentioned in the same breath as the great people that were before you and one day the great ones that will come after you,” Meola said in a statement. “I’m certainly humbled and I’m honored, and I’m thrilled to think that somebody actually thought I was worthy of it.”

Armstrong earned 81 caps between 1987-1994 and was a key contributor to the 1990 team that delivered the U.S. to its first World Cup appearance in 40 years. In 1993, he racked up 2,128 minutes with the National Team, the second-most all-time in one season behind fellow teammate Mike Lapper (2,205).

DiCicco was at the helm of the U.S. Women’s squad that won the 1999 Women’s World Cup. During his stint with the U.S. women (1994-1999), he won 103 games in 119 games and went on to coach the Boston Breakers (WPS) from 2009-11. He also helped guide the Rhode Island Oceaneers to an ASL Championship as the team’s primary goalkeeper in 1975.

Former Revolution forward Joe-Max Moore finished fourth on the Player ballot with 57.84 % of the Player vote, behind former D.C. United star Marco Etcheverry (58.82%).