CALIFORNIA STATE POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY, POMONA

Bronco Sports News

For Immediate Release

Monday, Oct. 11, 2004

Contact: Paul Helms

(909) 869-2812

 

 

Caligiuri Inducted Into Soccer Hall Of Fame
Cal Poly Pomona head coach one of four to join the National Soccer Hall of Fame

 

ONEONTA, N.Y. – Cal Poly Pomona Head Coach Paul Caligiuri was one of four soccer stars inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in ceremonies Monday in Oneonta, N.Y.

      Caligiuri, who has been the Cal Poly Pomona men’s and women’s head soccer coach since retiring as a player in 2001, was joined by Eric Wynalda, Michelle Akers and Michael Windischmann. Caligiuri, who finished his playing career with the Los Angeles Galaxy, became the first Major League Soccer player ever enshrined into the Hall of Fame. Prior to his career in the MLS, he spent several seasons in the German first division, becoming the first American-born player to make his living in the German top flight.

      He scored one of the most memorable goals in U.S. soccer history when his looping volley from 35 yards out went into the net and became the lone goal in a 1-0 victory over Trinidad & Tobago on Nov. 19, 1989 in the deciding game for the 1990 World Cup qualification. That goal lifted the United States into the World Cup for the first time since 1950. Caligiuri started all seven U.S. World Cup matches in 1990 and 1994 and played all but 18 minutes.

      Caligiuri was presented for induction by MLS Commissioner Don Garber, who reflected upon Caligiuri’s historic goal.

      “Would U.S. soccer and MLS be where we are today without that goal? All of us dream about that one moment when we are the hero. Paul has lived that moment and it is truly a Hall of Fame moment,” Garber said in an article printed on the National Soccer Hall of Fame website.

      “The Hall of Fame is forever,” Caligiuri said at the induction. “This (pair of cleats) signifies a great victory in U.S. soccer’s history and a moment I cherish.”

      Caligiuri coached the Cal Poly Pomona men’s and women’s soccer teams in their matches at Cal State Stanislaus on Friday and then flew to New York on Saturday for the Hall of Fame weekend ceremonies.

      The Broncos will resume California Collegiate Athletic Association action at Kellogg Field this weekend with matches against Sonoma State on Friday and San Francisco State on Sunday.