The National Soccer Hall of Fame’s overhauled election process, introduced last fall, has had the desired impact. A logjam of deserving athletes and builders is being shaken loose, and the indefensible exclusion of non-U.S. internationals who dominated domestic league play has finally ended. The NSHOF unveiled four new members Wednesday, marking only the second time since 2013 that there will be an induction class that large.
U.S. men’s national team defender and longtime Bundesliga stalwart Steve Cherundolo, USWNT defender and two-time Women’s World Cup winner Christie Pearce, Bolivian D.C. United legend Jaime Moreno and veteran executive Kevin Payne, who launched DCU’s 1990s dynasty before transitioning to youth soccer administration, comprise the 2021 class.