Brooklyn-born Joe Machnik is among 10 candidates on the National Soccer Hall of Fame builder’s ballot. (Michael Lewis/FrontRowSoccer.com Photo)
There are three familiar names who have influenced soccer from the metropolitan area that are on the National Soccer Hall of Fame builder’s ballot this year.
They include Robert Contiguglia, who grew up in Great Neck, N.Y., former Cosmos head coach Eddie Firmani, who directed the Cosmos to back-to-back North American Soccer League championships in 1977 and 1978, former New York Arrows general manager Tim Leiweke and Joe Machnik, who has worked in every facet of the soccer community (including player, coach, referee, league administrator, commissioner, camp builder and TV commentator at the college, professional and international levels).
They are among 10 individuals selected by a screening committee.
Voters can name up to five builder’s candidates, and the top vote-getter will be elected as long as he or she appears on a minimum of 50 percent of the ballots. If no individual appears on 50 percent of the ballots, then no builder will be elected to the 2017 Class. More than one candidate may be elected in the event of a tie.
Builders must be at least 50-years-old and are eligible by making their mark in the soccer community in a non-playing capacity while sustaining a major and positive impact on American soccer at the national, federation or first division level for at least 10 years. Referees must serve as a FIFA referee for at least seven years to be eligible (although a referee who has less than seven years as a FIFA international referee still can qualify for the list via 10 or more years as a United States first-division referee).
2017 National Soccer Hall of Fame builder ballot
Esse Baharmast
Gene Chyzowych
Robert Contiguglia
Eddie Firmani
Richard Groff
Gordon Jago
Tim Leiweke
Joe Machnik
Francisco Marcos
Kevin Payne
Voting results and induction venue will be announced at a future date.
