North Carolina State University Athletics
Ramos Elected to National Soccer Hall of Fame
4/21/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
April 21, 2005
Raleigh, N.C. - Former NC State standout and U.S. National Team member Tab Ramos was recently elected to the National Soccer Hall of Fame. The National Soccer Hall of Fame's Induction Class of 2005 honors three of the most identifiable players in the United States Men's National Team history as Marcelo Balboa, John Harkes, and Tab Ramos will be enshrined into the Hall of Fame on August 29th. Ramos played for the Pack from 1984-87, earning All-American honors three years, before becoming one of the most recognizable faces of soccer around the world.
Perhaps the most eloquent commentary in Tab's career is that on January 3, 1995 he became the first player to sign with Major League Soccer. Tab is heralded as one of the most talented player to ever pull on the U.S. Men's National Team shirt.
His national team career was hampered by injuries but still he was able to amass 81 caps and score eight goals.On September 7, 1997 he scored one of the most memorable goals in U.S. Soccer history against Costa Rica in World Cup Qualifying securing a place for the men's national team at the 1998 FIFA World Cup.
Along with Eric Wynalda (Class of 2004) and classmate Marcelo Balboa, he is one of the first three players in the history of the U.S. Men's National Team to play in three consecutive World Cups (1990, 1994 and 1998). Tab started every match for the United States at the 1994 FIFA World Cup, but suffered a skull fracture against Brazil in the quarterfinals after being caught by elbow from Leonardo.
Tab played his entire seven-year MLS career with the MetroStars. He was a two-time MLS All-Star (1996 and 1998) and scored the first goal in MLS All-Star Game history. Before joining the MLS he spent five years playing in the Spanish La Liga and Second Division with Figuere and Real Betis.
He played two years in the American Soccer League (1988-1989), where he was an ASL All-Star.
Tab attended North Carolina State where he was a three-time All-American. In high school he played for the national powerhouse St. Benedicts and was a two-time All-American and the National Player of the Year in 1983.
In 2003 he was honored with a star at the U.S. Soccer Star Plaza at the Home Depot Center.
He is now serving as the President and Founder of Tab Ramos Soccer Programs, a New York Corporation doing camps, clinics and coaching in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. He also is the President and Founder of the New Jersey Soccer Academy, which is an elite soccer club for boys. He is President and Founder of Tab Ramos GOAL! Foundation, a non-profit organization helping inner city children with education through sports.
Personal Information: Class of 2005 Born: September 21, 1966 - Montevideo, Uruguay Position: Midfielder Int'l Caps: 81 Int'l Goals: 8
Tab Ramos - (last played in the ASL in 1989; last played professionally outside the United States in 1996; last played in the U.S. national team in 2000; last played in MLS in 2002). Played 81 full internationals for the United States between 1988 and 2000, including nine World Cup games in 1990, 1994 and 1998, and 15 World Cup qualifiers in 1989, 1996, 1997 and 2000. Member of the United States teams at the 1988 Olympic Games and the 1990, 1994 and 1998 World Cups. Played seven seasons in MLS between 1996 and 2002 for MetroStars. Played four seasons in the Spanish second division, one season in the Mexican first division and two seasons in the ASL. USSF men's athlete of the year in 1990. Played 112 MLS regular-season games and nine MLS playoff games.
1988 Earned first cap for the U.S. Men's National Team against Guatemala on January 10 Participated in Summer Olympics for the U.S. Men's National Team
1989 Scored first career goal for the U.S. Men's National Team against Costa Rica
1990 Named U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year Started all three games for the U.S. in the 1990 FIFA World Cup
1993 Had two assists in U.S. Men's National Team 2-0 victory over England at U.S. Cup '93 Played in Copa America
1994 Started all four games for the U.S. Men's National Team at the 1994 FIFA World Cup and assisted on Earnie Stewart's game-winning goal against Colombia Suffered a fractured skull when he was elbowed by Leonardo in 1-0 loss to Brazil in Round of 16
1995 First player to sign with Major League Soccer on January 3 Played in Copa America for the U.S. Men's National Team
1996 Joined Major League Soccer with the MetroStars as their founding player Started 12 games for the Men's National Team before suffering left ACL tear on November 24 Won the Mexican Cup in 1996 with Tigres Scored the first goal in MLS All-Star Game history
1997 Scored a dramatic goal to defeat Costa Rica 1-0 in a key World Cup Qualifier on September 7 for the Men's National Team Scored two goals and added four assists for the MetroStars
1998 Scored as a substitute in 2-0 win over Kuwait on May 23 for the Men's National Team Became one of three players to play in three consecutive World Cups (1990, 1994, 1998) Scored two goals in the MLS All-Star Game
2000 Retired from the U.S. Men's National Team on November 17 with 87 caps and 8 goals Finalist for the 2000 MLS Comeback Player of the Year Award
2001 Served as captain for the MetroStars
2002 Retired from professional soccer after a seven-year career in MLS
2003 Honored with star at the U.S. Soccer Star Plaza at Home Depot Center
Located in Oneonta, NY, the National Soccer Hall of Fame opened a 30,000 square foot, state-of-the-art museum in 1999. The Hall of Fame tells the story of soccer in America through artifacts, photographs, and video clips. The new Hall features an extensive interactive, youth oriented Kicks Zone where visitors have fun kicking, heading and playing computer trivia stations and video soccer games.
The VideoWall portrays some of the greatest moments and the greatest goals in history as well as live soccer action with World Cup, MLS, and U.S. Soccer matches. Unique and rare artifacts on exhibit range from the world's oldest soccer ball to the FIFA Women's World Cup trophy won by the USA in 1999, Pele's and Mia Hamm's uniforms, Kristine Lilly's golden shoes, NASL championship rings, the original MLS championship trophy, MLS gallery - it's all at the National Soccer Hall of Fame.
In addition to the interactive Museum, the National Soccer Hall of Fame complex boasts the Kicks Hall of Fame Museum Shop, a research library, four world-class soccer fields and office/meeting facilities. The Hall plans to add a stadium, an indoor soccer arena and housing facilities in the future. The mission of the National Soccer Hall of Fame is to celebrate the history, honor the heroes, inspire the youth and preserve the legacy of soccer in the United States.
