Five former KC players are among the National Soccer Hall of Fame Class of 2014 nominees announced on Thursday by the U.S. Soccer Federation. Chris Henderson and Chris Klein are eligible on the Player Ballot while Mike Burns, Frank Klopas and Mike Sorber are in contention on the Veteran Ballot.


"The National Soccer Hall of Fame class for 2014 will certainly be a stellar one," said Hank Steinbrecher, Chairman of the Hall of Fame's Board of Directors. "Each and every one on the ballot is more than deserving of the ultimate recognition of being elected into the Hall. I am sure that this year the voters will be hard pressed to select just one candidate. We are proud of all of the individuals who are on the ballot and thank them for their outstanding service to the beautiful game."
Klein is in his first year of eligibility on the Player Ballot, which consists of 27 of the top male and female players in American soccer history. A 13-year MLS veteran, Klein began his career in KC in 1998 and played eight seasons for the club with 42 goals and 49 assists in 216 MLS games played (including postseason). His 39 regular season goals rank fourth most in club history and his 45 regular season assists are second most on the team's all-time chart. He was an MLS All-Star in his final four seasons in Kansas City from 2002-2005, while also twice winning MLS Comeback Player of the Year honors (2002, 2005).
A teammate with Klein in 1999 and 2000, Henderson played 68 games for Kansas City with 13 goals and 15 assists in MLS competition (including playoffs). Both players started all seven games in the team's first ever MLS Cup championship run and Klein recorded the game-winning assist in the 2000 final. Henderson, an MLS All-Star with KC in 2000, holds the team's all-time record for assists in a game with four against New York on June 20, 1999.
Each voter in the Hall of Fame voting pool can list up to 10 candidates per ballot. Any player appearing on at least 66.7 percent of ballots will earn election. Voting will continue through Feb. 7 and the election results will be announced shortly after.
Burns (2001-02), Klopas (1996-97) and Sorber (1996) are among the 15 players up for selection from the Veteran Ballot, which is voted on only by current Hall of Famers. Voters can name up to five Veteran 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.
Established in 1950, the National Soccer Hall of Fame is dedicated to the sport of soccer in America by celebrating its history, preserving its legacy, inspiring its youth and honoring its heroes for generations to come. The National Soccer Hall of Fame closed its Oneonta, N.Y., facility in 2010. The election process is being administered by U.S. Soccer Federation staff under election and eligibility guidelines established by the Hall of Fame Board of Directors.
Sporting KC Manager Peter Vermes was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2013 from the Veteran Ballot. Former Kansas City Managers Bob Gansler (2011) and Ron Newman (1992) were each inducted from the Builder ballot, while former Kansas City players Tony Meola (2012), Preki (2010) and Alexi Lalas (2006) were voted into the Hall of Fame on the Player ballot.
Induction ceremony details for the Class of 2014 will be announced at a later date.
