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Colorado Rapids

Glenn 'Mooch' Myernick Elected to National Soccer Hall of Fame

April 8, 2015 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Colorado Rapids News Release


Colorado Rapids today announced that the late Glenn "Mooch" Myernick has been elected to the National Soccer Hall of Fame. Joining Myernick are Seattle Sounders FC Head Coach Sigi Schmid, the all-time leader for wins as a Head Coach in Major League Soccer history, and Kasey Keller, a four-time FIFA World Cup veteran goalkeeper.

Further information regarding the induction ceremony will be announced at a later date.

The late Glenn Myernick, who passed away on October 2006 at the age of 51, will enter the Hall of Fame on the Veteran Ballot as an American soccer pioneer who represented the U.S. at every level as a player and coach across a lifetime of soccer success.

In 1976, Myernick was selected with the top pick of the NASL College Draft by the Dallas Tornado. After four seasons with the club, he was traded to the Portland Timbers in 1980 and was named team captain the same season. Myernick also spent time with the Tampa Bay Rowdies and remained with the club until his retirement in 1985.

Myernick served as an assistant coach for the USA at the 2002 and 2006 FIFA World Cups and was an integral part of the USA's quarterfinal run at the 2002 World Cup. He also coached the USA in its championship victory at the 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup after head coach Bruce Arena was suspended for the final.

"This means everything to us, his whole world was soccer," said his widow Nancy Myernick. "It revolved around the game from the time he was a little kid playing in Trenton; to youth soccer, and then going to college, and being with the National Team. He could never get enough. We built our lives around soccer, and we traveled the country to make it happen for him and to be involved in whatever level he could be. He put 110% effort into whatever he did with soccer. We wish he could have received this honor himself but knowing the family will be there is a huge honor."

Myernick played more games for the U.S. National Team than any other U.S. National Team coach, serving as captain in 1978 and earning 10 caps. He also started four games for the U.S. Olympic Team in qualifying for the 1976 Games. He began his international coaching career as an assistant for the U.S. Under-20 Men's National Team in 1993 at the FIFA World Youth Championship in Australia, and then coached the U-17's at the FIFA U-17 World Championship in Ecuador.

After serving as an assistant coach for Arena at the 1996 Olympic Games, Myernick took the reins of the Colorado Rapids in Major League Soccer for four seasons from 1997-2000. He would eventually compile a 63-61-4 record and guided the team to the 1997 MLS Cup final during his first season at the helm.

"I got to know Mooch when I started at Colorado Rapids in 1997. I spent a lot of time with him over the years and knew him well so I feel this is a fantastic and very deserving honor," said Paul Bravo, VP of Soccer Operations and Technical Director. "He was a person with great class plus a huge influence on this club and soccer in Colorado."

Myernick took over as Head Coach of the U.S. Under-23 Men's National Team in 2002, helping the team qualify for the 2004 Olympics.

He had a standout collegiate career at Hartwick College in Oneonta, New York, winning the Hermann Trophy as the sport's outstanding player in 1976. He also starred in the NASL with numerous teams, earning MVP honors for the Portland Timbers in 1982.

Complete information about the election and eligibility procedures is available online at www.ussoccer.com.

The election process is being administered by U.S. Soccer Federation staff under election and eligibility guidelines established by the Hall of Fame Board of Directors.

Established in 1950, the National Soccer Hall of Fame is dedicated to the sport of soccer in America by celebrating its history, preserving its legacy, inspiring its youth and honoring its heroes for generations to come.

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