|
 Marcelo
was the most consistent defender for the U.S. Men’s National Team throughout
the 1990’s earning 128 caps and scored an astonishing 13 goals.
Nicknamed the “Iron Man”, he won the U.S.
Soccer Athlete of the Year award twice during his 13-year national team
career (1992, 1994).
|
Personal Information |
|
Class of 2005 |
|
Born:
August 8, 1967 - Chicago, IL |
|
Position:
Defender |
|
Int'l
Caps: 128 |
Int'l
Goals: 13 |
|
Along with
Eric Wynalda (Class
of 2004)
and classmate
Tab
Ramos, he was one of the first three players in the history of the
U.S. Men’s National Team to play in three consecutive World Cups (1990, 1994
and 1998).
Balboa is recognized mostly for his near
miss on a bicycle kick at the 1994 FIFA World Cup against Colombia. He
became one of the first players in the history of the Men’s National Team to
participate in three consecutive World Cups (1990, 1994 and 1998).
Marcelo was a Major League Soccer founding
player for the Colorado Rapids in 1996. He played six seasons with the
Rapids and earned five consecutive all-star appearances between 1997 and
2001. He became the first defender in the history of the MLS to score 20
goals and register 20 assists in a career. In 2000 he scored the MLS Goal of
the Year, which was noted as Soccer America’s Best Goal in the first 10
years of the MLS. In 2002 he was traded to the MetroStars where he played
five minutes before suffering a career-ending knee injury.
Marcelo played six years in the American
Professional Soccer League (APSL) with the San Francisco Blackhawks, San
Diego Nomads and the Colorado Foxes.
At San Diego State University, he was a
two-time All-American, where he was a teammate with fellow Hall of Famer
Eric Wynalda.
In 2003 he was honored with a star at the
U.S. Soccer Star Plaza at the Home Depot Center. Marcelo is currently the color match
commentator for ESPN and ABC for U.S. Men’s National Team games.
Hall of Famer Timeline
Marcelo started his career in the
American Professional Soccer League with the San Francisco
Blackhawks and lasted more than 13 years.
more>
U.S. National Team
Statistics |
