John Harkes and Marcelo Balboa will celebrate their induction into the National Soccer Hall of Fame on Monday, August 29th by playing in the Hall of Fame Game between their former clubs, D.C. United and the Colorado Rapids, on the same date in Oneonta, N.Y. The two former MLS and U.S. National Team standouts are being inducted into the hall along with former teammate Tab Ramos and "builder" Hank Steinbrecher and "veteran" Fernando Clavijo, who will coach the Rapids in the game.

“I am very excited to pull on the Rapids shirt once again,” said Balboa in announcing his intentions to play in the match. “The bulk of my MLS career was in a Rapids jersey, so to be able to celebrate my induction by playing in it one more time will make the day even more special for me.”

Harkes, who captained D.C. United to two MLS Cup Championships in 1996 and 1997, will take the field for the black-and-red for the first time in more than seven years.

“Those first two years were my chance to show U.S. soccer fans what I had learned in my years playing at the top of the English League,” Harkes said. “To be honored by induction into the Hall of Fame is certainly a very special moment in a soccer player’s career. To go into the Hall while playing with D.C. United in the Hall of Fame Game will be especially appropriate for me.”

Ramos, a lifelong MetroStars midfielder, was also afforded a chance to play in the match, but instead will watch his former U.S. teammates from the sideline. “My MLS career was in the MetroStars strip. I can't imagine pulling on any other MLS uniform.”

About Induction 2005
The National Soccer Hall of Fame will host Induction 2005 in Oneonta, New York on August 27th through the 29th. Induction Weekend kicks off on Saturday, August 27th with a Northern Eagle Beverage Pub Night starting at 7:00 p.m. Then on Sunday, August 28th the Hall of Fame will present the 2nd Annual Hall of Fame Golf Tournament presented by Nike at the Delhi Golf Course in Delhi, New York. For those who are interested in exploring beautiful Otsego County there will a Leatherstocking Summer Sampler tour at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday. The Hall of Fame will host the President's Reception & Dinner, sponsored by Field Turf and Clark Companies, starting at 6:00 p.m. in the Hall of Fame's Atrium.

The Induction Ceremony on Monday, August 29th honors three of the most identifiable players in U.S. Men's National Team history and pioneers of Major League Soccer as Marcelo Balboa, John Harkes, and Tab Ramos will be enshrined into the Hall of Fame starting at 10:00 a.m. The ceremony is free of charge and open to the public and will take place in the Museum. The 2005 Hall of Fame Game will kickoff at 1:00 p.m. on August 29th and will feature four-time MLS Cup Champion D.C. United as they take on the Colorado Rapids.

Tickets for the Hall of Fame Golf Tournament, President's Reception & Dinner and the Hall of Fame Game are available at the Hall of Fame by calling 1-800-545-FAME (3263), or visit 3 More Reasons ...,  our Ticket Outlet at 66 Main Street in Cooperstown, New York.

About the National Soccer Hall of Fame and Museum
Located in Oneonta, NY, the National Soccer Hall of Fame opened a 30,000 square foot, state-of-the-art museum in 1999. The Hall of Fame tells the story of soccer in America through artifacts, photographs, and video clips. The new Hall features an extensive interactive, youth oriented Kicks Zone where visitors have fun kicking, heading and playing computer trivia stations and video soccer games. The VideoWall portrays some of the greatest moments and the greatest goals in history as well as live soccer action with World Cup, MLS, and U.S. Soccer matches. Unique and rare artifacts on exhibit range from the world’s oldest soccer ball to the FIFA Women’s World Cup trophy won by the USA in 1999, Pelé's and Mia Hamm’s uniforms, Kristine Lilly’s golden shoes, NASL championship rings, the original MLS championship trophy, MLS gallery - it’s all at the National Soccer Hall of Fame. In addition to the interactive Museum, the National Soccer Hall of Fame complex boasts the Kicks Zone Store, a research library, four world-class soccer fields and office/meeting facilities. The Hall plans to add a stadium, an indoor soccer arena and housing facilities in the future.

The mission of the National Soccer Hall of Fame is to celebrate the history, honor the heroes, inspire the youth and preserve the legacy of soccer in the United States.

Related Information
U.S. MNT Win 1-0 Over Trinidad & Tobago | Freddy is Coming to Oneonta | U.S. Open Cup: Fourth Round