MLS Inter Miami CF

Beckham, Henderson, Kreis and Morales Eligible for National Soccer Hall of Fame

Published on July 29, 2022 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Inter Miami CF News Release


Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham, Chief Soccer Officer and Sporting Director Chris Henderson, assistant coach Jason Kreis and Academy coach Javier Morales are all eligible to be inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2023.

Beckham and Morales are among 44 individuals on the Player Eligibility List. In order to be eligible for election as a Player, an individual must be retired for at least three full calendar years, but for no more than 10 full calendar years, and have either:

Played in at least 20 full international games for the U.S. Men's National Team, Women's National Team or Extended National Teams (Paralympic, Beach & Futsal).

or

Played at least five seasons in an American first-division professional league and been named to a postseason league All-Star team at least once.

Beckham joined the LA Galaxy in 2007, went on to make 115 total MLS appearances including postseason, and registered 18 goals and 48 assists. He helped lead the Galaxy to two MLS Cups (2011, 2012) and two Supporters' Shields (2010, 2011), was named an MLS All-Star three times (2008, 2011, 2012), named to the MLS Best XI once (2011) and named 2011 MLS Comeback Player of the Year. Beckham is in the final year of eligibility on the Player ballot. If not elected, he would move to the Veteran ballot for the 2024 election.

Morales, nicknamed 'El Maestro', enjoyed a successful 11-year stay in MLS with Real Salt Lake and later on FC Dallas, in which he racked up 255 regular season appearances and 21 playoff appearances, registering a total 53 goals and 92 assists, between 2007 and 2017. His MLS career consisted of several standout moments and impressive personal and team accomplishments. In 2008 Morales completed his first full season in MLS, in which he guided RSL to its first-ever MLS Cup Playoffs on the strength of his 15 regular season assists. The team reached the Western Conference Finals in that season's edition of the playoffs. Then, in his second season in the league, Morales helped RSL clinch the 2009 MLS Cup, the only one in club history to date.

Henderson is among the 89 individuals on the Veteran Eligibility List. In order to be eligible for election as a Veteran, an individual must be retired for more than 10 full calendar years and have either:

Played in at least 20 full international games for the U.S. Men's National Team, Women's National Team or Extended National Team (10 games if prior to 1990 or five games if prior to 1960).

or

Played at least five seasons in an American first-division professional league and been named to a postseason league All-Star team at least once.

or

Played at least five seasons in the Major Indoor Soccer League between the end of the NASL in 1984 and the end of the MISL in 1992 and been selected as a first-team all-star.

During his playing career, Henderson featured for five MLS clubs in 11 seasons, including a campaign with the Miami Fusion in 2001, where he was named the club's Humanitarian of the Year. The former midfielder also ranks among the top 15 on the MLS all-time assists list with 80 regular-season assists, shares the league's single-game assist record (four) and finished his career with 51 goals. On the international stage, Henderson represented the U.S. Men's National Team on 79 occasions and was a member of the 1992 U.S. Olympic Team.

Kreis, meanwhile, is eligible for induction on both the Veteran Eligibility List and the Builder Eligibility List, where he is one of 21 individuals eligible. To be eligible in this category, an individual must have made a mark on soccer in a non-playing capacity and had a major, sustained and positive impact on soccer in the United States on a national or first-division professional level. Individuals on this list must be at least 50 years old or deceased and have at least 10 years of impact at the requisite level.

Kreis established a storied career in MLS both as a player and a coach. He impressed as a rookie, leading the Dallas Burn and scoring the first goal in team history, a feat he would later replicate in Real Salt Lake's first season, becoming the first player to score the first-ever goal for two franchises. Kreis would go on to win 1999 MLS MVP, becoming the first American-born player to win the award. He held the record of MLS all-time top scorer from 2004 to 2007, currently sits eighth in league history and was the first player to score 100 MLS goals. Kreis holds several franchise records for both Dallas and Salt Lake, retiring as the Dallas leader in games played, goals and assists. He was also the first official player in Real Salt Lake team history. As a coach, he made history in 2009 with Salt Lake, becoming the youngest head coach in MLS history (34) to win MLS Cup. Kreis has also helmed New York City FC (2013-2015) and Orlando City SC (2016-2018) as head coach during the early stages of their time in MLS, before joining Inter Miami, first as Senior Academy Director, then Inter Miami CF II head coach, and now First Team assistant coach.

Complete information about the election and eligibility procedures is available online at NationalSoccerHoF.com. The election process is administered by National Soccer Hall of Fame 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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