FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Three New England Revolution alumni – Shalrie Joseph (Player), Steve Ralston (Veteran), and Joe Cummings (Builder) – have been announced as finalists for the National Soccer Hall of Fame Class of 2021. The Hall of Fame’s Voting Committee will select the 2021 class of inductees, to be announced in March, from final ballots comprised of 20 players, 10 veterans, and 10 builders.
Joseph is eligible for induction to the National Soccer Hall of Fame for the first time this year on the Player Ballot. The current Revolution Academy Under-15 Head Coach enjoyed a decorated career that saw him record more minutes in a Revolution shirt than any player in club history. Joseph played for the club from 2003-2012, returning in 2014, and set club records for games played and games started. A general in central midfield, Joseph led New England to three straight MLS Eastern Conference titles from 2005-07. In addition to his seven consecutive MLS All-Star selections (2005-11) and four MLS Best XI nods, both club highs, Joseph was recognized as a finalist in 2009 MLS MVP voting. For all of his contributions, Joseph was named to the club’s All-Time Team in 2020, recognizing the best head coach and 11 players in the founding MLS team’s history as determined by a fan vote.
Ralston enters his first year of eligibility on the Veteran Ballot. The St. Louis, Mo. Native retired in 2010 as the MLS leader in assists, games played, starts, and minutes played, and currently owns the second most assists in Major League Soccer history with 135. Ralston spent nine of his 15 prolific MLS seasons in New England and recorded 73 assists with the Revolution, 24 more than any other player in club history, while his 42 goals are tied for fourth in Revs’ annals. One of three players to appear in each of New England’s first four MLS Cup finals, the seven-time MLS All-Star and three-time Best XI performer also earned 36 international caps with the United States Men’s National Team – including 18 appearances in FIFA World Cup Qualifiers – and helped the USMNT hoist the 2007 Concacaf Gold Cup.
Cummings is a finalist on the Builder Ballot, which recognizes individuals who have made their mark on soccer in a non-playing capacity and had a major, sustained, and positive impact on the growth of soccer in the United States. Cummings was involved in the construction of the Revolution’s inaugural teams as assistant general manager from 1996-99, and later served as the Revolution’s technical director from 2004-05. An established first-division team official and coaches association administrator, he was president of the Boston Breakers in the Women’s United Soccer Association for three seasons (2001-03), and in Women’s Professional Soccer for one season (2009). For six years from 2009-15, he was executive director of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America. An experienced coach at the youth, high school, and collegiate levels, Cummings was inducted into the Massachusetts Youth Soccer Hall of Fame in 2002.
For complete information on the National Soccer Hall of Fame’s election and eligibility procedures, as well as the complete list of finalists for the Player, Veteran, and Builder Ballots, visit NationalSoccerHoF.com.
