2006 NATIONAL SOCCER HALL OF FAME INDUCTION CEREMONY

By Rob Centorani

Staff Wr

Star photo by Anita Briggs Three of the four 2006 National Soccer Hall of Fame inductees _ from left, Al Trost, Alexi Lalas and Carla Overbeck _ share a laugh during Monday’s ceremony.

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ONEONTA — Carla Overbeck was the glue Monday.

Former United States women’s soccer captain Overbeck brought the 2006 National Soccer Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony together during the fourth and final acceptance speech in front of an estimated 200 spectators.

"What you guys have done for soccer," Overbeck said while looking at fellow inductees Alexi Lalas, Al Trost and Philip Anschutz, "there won’t be another (induction) class that has made a greater impact."

[an error occurred while processing this directive]The Hall celebrated the contributions of the foursome, who brought its membership to 264. And although they achieved the pinnacle of soccer greatness Monday, they’re far from finished in the sport.

Lalas serves as the general manager of Major League Soccer’s Los Angeles Galaxy; Trost coaches high school soccer in his hometown of St. Louis; and billionaire Anschutz’s money provides stadiums for the MLS such as the Home Depot Center in California.

"I think the game obviously needs someone like Mr. Anschutz to come in and help build it and help it grow, and he’s done that with the stadiums he’s built," Overbeck said after the ceremony. "Obviously, Alexi was the face of the men’s team, and they had a great run in the 90s. I’m honored to be in the class with him. To meet Al and see what a great player he was and what he continues to give back to the game, it’s incredible.

"I think the women’s team had a lot of great personalities on it," she continued, "and as the women continue to retire, the legacy is going to live on."

Lalas, 36, treated a large gathering that included 16 former Hall of Famers to numerous one-liners Monday but seemed serious when he said, "If you want the LA Galaxy (to play in a Hall of Fame exhibition), the team I’m with will understand the history and importance of this place."

Lalas was referring to the New York Red Bulls and Columbus Crew pulling out of the annual Hall of Fame Game, which was supposed to follow Monday’s ceremony at the Wright National Soccer Campus’ At-A-Glance Field.

Four days ago, the teams said they couldn’t play because of injuries and scheduling problems.

"We have to understand where we come from," Lalas said after the ceremony. "I don’t deal with either one of those teams, so if they don’t want to come, that’s fine. I look at it as a form of respect and a tremendous honor to be asked to come up here and play.

"As far as the Galaxy, we’d love to come back here and play because I know what it means," he continued, "and I also think it’s important for our teams and our players to be exposed to this."

Some of Lalas’ quips included:

• "When I looked at (the large poster of the four inductees behind the podium), it reminded me of the (1970s children’s show) The Electric Company: One of these kids is not like the other," a clean-shaven and short-haired Lalas said while looking at a picture of himself with long hair and a scruffy goatee. "What was I thinking? No wonder my wife didn’t look at me until I cleaned up a bit."

• "Whether (the fans) were cheering me and telling me how great I was or saying things about my mother, it doesn’t matter as long as they’re doing something. It was a wonderful ride."

• Talking about the attention the U.S. women’s national team garnered during the 1990s and the jealousy some of his teammate felt, Lalas said: "I remember thinking, you know, what the women’s team is doing and what players like Carla are doing is not about women’s soccer. It’s about soccer. It doesn’t matter if you’re men, women or co-ed naked as long as people are kicking a ball."

Defender Lalas played 96 international games for U.S. and spent eight years playing in the MLS for four teams.

"I like putting on a show and I like going in front of people, and I don’t apologize for that," he said. "I always considered myself a performer and an entertainer."

Former U.S. women’s coach Tony DiCicco painted a different picture of Overbeck during his presentation.

"Carla was a fierce competitor," he said. "No. You don’t understand. Carla was a fierce competitor. Nobody on our team or the opponents wanted to deal with her when she was angry.

"If we had a teammate who didn’t go for a tackle that she should have won," he continued, "she was usually yelling at me to get her off the field."

DiCicco said defender Overbeck was widely respected by teammates and opponents alike. He relayed a story about teammate Brandi Chastain that put eight-year U.S. captain Overbeck’s contributions into perspective.

During a camp after the Americans’ dramatic 1999 World Cup championship victory over China, in which Chastain made the decisive the penalty kick, someone asked Chastain about her most vivid memory.

DiCicco said he thought the penalty kick was the obvious choice. Chastain’s reaction to that kick, pulling off her game jersey to reveal an undergarment, was captured on the cover of Sports Illustrated.

Instead, DiCicco said Chastain told the person her best and worst moments came 20 seconds apart in the quarterfinals of that tournament. Chastain scored an own goal that put the U.S. down to Germany 5 minutes into play.

"The worst was when I scored an own goal," DiCicco recalled Chastain saying. "Then my captain, Carla Overbeck, came running up to me and looked in my eyes and said, ’Brandi, we have 85 minutes and we’ll get the goal back, but we need you to play.’"

Chastain scored equalizer in a match the U.S. won, 3-2.

"You have to know Carla," DiCicco said. "She understood her teammate needed support."

Overbeck, a member of U.S. World Cup championship teams in 1991 and ’99, and the 1996 Olympic gold medal team, put in plug for former roommate Julie Foudy, who attended Monday’s ceremony.

"Julie should be a future Hall of Famer," said Overbeck, who, like Lalas, was inducted in her first year of eligibility. "Thank you, Julie. There’s no way I could have led that team without your help. You taught me how to be a leader."

Overbeck also won four NCAA championships at North Carolina. Tar Heels coach Anson Dorrance was to present Overbeck but had problems getting a flight out of Dallas.

Trost, selected by the veteran’s committee, played seven seasons in the defunct North American Soccer League. He also competed in 14 international games for the U.S.

Trost scored 38 goals and had 24 assists in the NASL. He serves as the boys and girls soccer coach for Parkway South High.

Anschutz, who has interests in four MLS teams, spoke briefly and thanked the Hall for his induction.

"The turnout was terrific," Hall of Fame spokesperson Jack Huckel said. "It was a great audience, an appreciative audience."

Rob Centorani can be reached at rcentorani@thedailystar.com or 607-432-1000, ext. 209.