Former U.S. goalkeeper Kasey Keller, longtime coach Sigi Schmid and American soccer pioneer Glenn Myernick have been elected to the National Soccer Hall of Fame, the United States Soccer Federation announced Wednesday.
Keller, a participant in four World Cups and the United States' all-time leader in shutouts, is a first ballot inductee.
The former Tottenham, Fulham and Seattle Sounders No. 1 enjoyed a sterling 19-year international career which included 102 appearances for his country between 1990 and 2007.
"It's a great honor," Keller said. "You look at some of the guys that have been elected before; it's not an easy process. It's not like it's an open-door policy. It's cool to be voted in.
Kasey Keller, Sigi Schmid & Glenn "Mooch" Myernick elected to National Soccer Hall of Fame. http://t.co/4w5GmcvU0O pic.twitter.com/SBxalEAsca
- U.S. Soccer (@ussoccer) April 8, 2015
"I really saw it firsthand, when I was able to speak on [Brian] McBride's behalf, of how cool it is. I'm proud and thankful for the people that helped get me to that point throughout my career: teammates, coaches, friends, family.
"It's kind of a culmination of what you've done and how you got there and all the people that helped you get to get to that point, so I'm thankful for that," he concluded.
Schmid was elected on the "Builder ballot" after spending 35 years coaching at national team, college and club level.
The former Galaxy, Crew and Sounders coach has amassed more than 200 wins in his MLS career, making him the league's all-time winningest coach. And he added a further 322 victories during his time in charge at UCLA, where he spent 19 years and won three NCAA titles.
"I would like to thank U.S. Soccer for this incredible honor, as this is certainly right up there with the top moments I've experienced in this sport," said the two-time MLS Coach of the Year recipient.
OFFICIAL: Sigi Schmid and @KaseyKeller18 elected to National Soccer Hall of Fame: http://t.co/uQEuO21CEb pic.twitter.com/sEQRMDpoaB
- Seattle Sounders FC (@SoundersFC) April 8, 2015
The pair will be joined by American soccer pioneer Glenn Myernick, who enters the Hall on the "Veteran Ballot."
Nicknamed "Mooch," Myernick represented the U.S. at every level, both as a coach and player before passing away in Oct. 2006.
"This means everything to us; his whole world was soccer," said his wife, Nancy, of the honor. "It revolved around the game from the time he was a little kid playing in Trenton, to youth soccer, and then going to college, and being with the national team."
"He put 110 percent effort into whatever he did with soccer. We wish he could have received this honor himself, but knowing the family will be there is a huge honor," she said.
USSF has yet to release further information regarding the induction ceremony.