Kansas City Wizards standout Predrag Radosavljevic will be inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame on Tuesday, prior to the United States National Team’s friendly with Brazil at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Preki, a Wizards original, is the only two-time league MVP in MLS history and spent nine seasons in Kansas City, amassing 79 goals and 102 assists, both Wizards all-time records. Preki also made 28 appearances, two at the 1998 World Cup, for the United States National Team and scored four goals, including the game-winner in the United States victory over Brazil in the 1998 Gold Cup semifinals.
Preki scored the final goal of his illustrious career in the 90th minute of the last match of the 2005 season, becoming the oldest player to score a goal in MLS history at age 42. He is also the oldest MVP in American professional sports history, winning the award in 2003 at age 40. He was also named to the All-Time MLS Best XI as part of the league’s 10th anniversary season in 2005.
In addition to the individual honors, Preki helped Kansas City win the Supporters Shield and MLS Cup in 2000, recording 16 assists to go with his three goals on the historic year.
The Wizards recently recognized Preki upon his return to Kansas City as coach of Toronto FC when the two teams met on July 31. A pre-game tribute featured Jack Huckel, Director of Museum and Archives for the National Soccer Hall of Fame, and well-known Hall of Famer Walter Bahr, who presented Preki with a commemorative photo collage. The first 4,000 fans to enter the stadium also received complimentary Preki figurines, courtesy of Time Warner Cable.
Tuesday’s private ceremony will take place at 4 p.m. ET, and will be followed by a reception for the new inductees, Hall of Famers, and invited guests. The 2010 Induction Class includes fellow US internationals Thomas Dooley and Kyle Rote, Jr., as well as former US National Team head coach Bruce Arena.
