DC United midfielder Etcheverry elected to soccer hall of fame
After playing eight seasons with D.C. United, helping to establish the first championship dynasty in Major League Soccer, midfielder Marco Etcheverry was elected to the National Soccer Hall of Fame.
Known for his long mullet and dazzling dribbling ability, the Bolivian international was chosen via the veterans’ ballot, a new mechanism added by the hall of fame last year for players who have been retired for more than 10 years but who were not selected through the players’ ballot.
Soccer commentator Andres Cantor and former the United States men’s national team forward Tab Ramos surprised Etcheverry by announcing his induction as part of the class of 2022.
“You made me sweat; you gave me goosebumps,” Etcheverry said, through tears, in Spanish. “It’s amazing; you gave me great news. I don’t usually cry over sad things, just over joyous and happy occasions and this is one of those moments. They both grabbed me.
Etcheverry came to the US in 1996 as part of the inaugural MLS season after spending the first 10 years of his career with various South American and European teams.
He was appointed to D.C. United due to the region’s large Bolivian population and quickly became a fan favorite. Along with John Harkes, Jamie Moreno, and Raúl Díaz Arce, Etcheverry helped D.C. to win the inaugural MLS Cup.
Nicknamed “The Devil,” Etcheverry rose to prominence as D.C.’s primary playmaker. for eight seasons, amassing 34 goals and 101 assists (a club record at the time) in 191 games. During that time, he was a four-time Best XI selection and named MLS Most Valuable Player in 1998. Etcheverry left United after the 2003 season, retiring in 2006.
With Etcheverry, the Black and Red gained national and international recognition. D.C. won three of the first four MLS Cups, two Supporters’ Shields, and a US Open Cup. In 1998, the club won the CONCACAF Champions Cup as the best team in North America and the Inter-American Cup against Vasco da Gama Brazilian.
“I came into MLS with that mindset of ‘why doesn’t America love this game like the rest of the world,’ and with that mindset, I came in to show my love for the sport and give it my all,” Etcheverry said. in Spanish. “This is a great honor”.
Etcheverry’s selection comes a year after fellow Bolivian and teammate from D.C. United, Moreno, was elected to the Hall of Fame on the same Veterans ballot. He joins US Men’s National Team outside hitter Clint Dempsey and US Women’s National Team stars Shannon Boxx and Hope Solo as part of the class of 2022.
The swearing-in ceremony will take place on May 21 in Frisco, Texas.
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