Eric Wynalda

Eric Wynalda (born June 9, 1969 in Fullerton, California) is a former American soccer forward, the all-time leading scorer for the U.S. National Team. Wynalda scored the first goal ever in Major League Soccer in 1996 and was elected to the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2004.

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June 9 - 1969 - Fullerton - California - Soccer - Forward - U.S. National Team - Major League Soccer - National Soccer Hall of Fame

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Wynalda grew up in Westlake Village, California. After playing for San Diego State University, he earned his first cap against Costa Rica on February 2, 1990. Later that year, Wynalda played in his first World Cup and then became the first American-born player to play for a Bundesliga club. One of the first Americans to make a name for himself in European soccer, Wynalda played in Germany for 1. FC Saarbrücken (1992-94) and VfL Bochum (1994-96). In the {{Wc|1994}}, Eric scored on a free kick as the United States tied Switzerland. He also played in the {{Ca|1995}}, where he was named to the all-tounrnament team after scoring against Chile and Argentina.

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Westlake Village - San Diego State University - Costa Rica - February 2 - 1990 - World Cup - Bundesliga - Germany - 1. FC Saarbrücken - VfL Bochum - Switzerland - Chile - Argentina

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Wynalda came back to the States in 1996, signing with Major League Soccer and the San Jose Clash. On April 6, 1996 Wynalda scored the lone goal in the league's first game as the Clash beat D.C. United. He was named U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year that year.

Related Topics:
San Jose Clash - April 6 - 1996 - D.C. United - U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year

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However, Wynalda's MLS career never lived up to expectations, as the ten goals he scored in his first season he matched only once, in his last. In 1998, Eric participated in his third World Cup, becoming only the third US player (Tab Ramos, Marcelo Balboa) to do so. He was loaned out to Leon in Mexico in 1999, and was traded by the Clash to the Miami Fusion later that year. In 2000, Wynalda was traded to the New England Revolution, and in 2001, to the Chicago Fire, where he finished his career, ending up with a total of just 34 MLS goals (plus two in the playoffs).

Related Topics:
World Cup - Tab Ramos - Marcelo Balboa - Leon - Mexico - Miami Fusion - New England Revolution - Chicago Fire

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Wynalda retired from the US National Team as its all-time leading scorer with 34 goals in 106 appearances. He was named the Honda US Player of the Decade for the 1990s and elected to the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2004. Eric is currently a TV broadcaster for ESPN.

Related Topics:
Honda - 1990s - National Soccer Hall of Fame - Broadcaster - ESPN

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