For the seventh consecutive year, I'm one of the voters for the National Soccer Hall of Fame, and it's a responsibility I take very seriously. I've made each of my previous six ballots and the rationales behind them public, so there's no need to change now.

There are 12 newcomers on the 31-player ballot for 2012.

Photo by ISIphotos.com

Richie Williams is set to join some exclusive company at RFK Stadium.

The former D.C. United player will be inducted into the club's Hall of Tradition at halftime of the team's match against the Portland Timbers on Aug. 27. Williams joins John Harkes, Marco Etcheverry, Jeff Agoos, Raul Diaz Arce and Eddie Pope as players to earn the honor.

Mano a Mano con... Lazaro "El Chele" Molina
1-How long have you been a DC United fan?
Since the very beginning! In '96 I missed only 1 game the whole season. I've been to 3 of the 4 championship games, missing only the one in LA.
2-What made you want to follow DC United?

Yesterday the official ballot for the National Soccer Hall of Fame Class of 2011 was announced, and United States soccer fans will surely be pleased with the candidates. The pool of possible Hall of Famers is full of talented players who plied their trade both domestically in Major League Soccer as well as those pioneers that paved the way for fellow Americans overseas.

SEATTLE, WA Finalists for the National Soccer Hall of Fame Class of 2011 were announced Thursday by U.S. Soccer. Voting has already begun and continues through March 11. The results will be announced in a few months. Here are the voting rules for the player category as detailed in the USSF press release: The [.

Photo by ISIphotos.com

Cobi Jones, Eddie Pope and Jason Kreis highlight a strong group of first-timers among the nominees on the 2011 U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame ballot, which was released Thursday afternoon.

Jones, the United States' all-time leader in caps with 164, played in three World Cups and was one of the most recognizable and distinguished players of his era.