Saint Louis Soccer Duo On National Soccer Hall of Fame Ballot

Mike Sorber

Saint Louis University men’s assistant soccer coach Mike Sorber and three-time Billiken soccer All-American Mark Santel are among 38 candidates on the National Soccer Hall of Fame ballot for possible induction in the 2004 ceremonies to be held later this year in Oneonta, N.Y.

"The players on this ballot are extraordinary,” said Will Lunn, President/CEO of the Hall of Fame. “Some have received the highest honors possible in national and international soccer.“

Sorber was a Billiken midfielder from 1989-92. He led the Bills to the 1991 NCAA semifinals and was a 1992 Hermann Trophy finalist. He finished his Billiken career with 55 points (13G, 29A). Sorber’s greatest soccer accomplishments came as a professional. He earned 67 career caps with the U.S. National Team and was a key component of the 1994 World Cup team.

“It’s an incredible honor just to be considered when you look at all the great names on the ballot,” Sorber said.

After his stellar World Cup performance, Sorber played two seasons for UNAM Pumas in Mexico. He became the first American to earn All-Star status in Mexico’s First Division. Sorber began his Major Leage Soccer (MLS) career with Kansas City during the league’s inaugural 1996 season. He was traded in the off-season to the NY/NJ MetroStars and appeared in 74 matches over three seasons with the MetroStars.

The Chicago Fire acquired Sorber in a trade during the 2000 season, and he helped Chicago win the Central Division title and reach the MLS Cup final. In 116 career MLS appearances, he started 106 matches and totaled 37 points (9G, 19A).

Santel had eight career caps with the U.S. National Team from 1988-1997. He played six seasons in MLS with Dallas and Kansas City. He helped Dallas to a U.S. Open Cup championship in 1997. He appeared in 154 regular-season MLS games in his career, accumulating 35 points (6G, 23A), and 17 playoff contests.

Before joining Dallas, Santel played four seasons in the American Professional Soccer League and won an APSL title with the Colorado Foxes in 1993. He also played one season in the Major Indoor Soccer League with the St. Louis Storm.

In Santel’s All-American career with the Billikens, he played in 93 matches and totaled 50 points (17G, 16A).

“When I was entering the Billikens’ program, Mark already was a member of the National Team and continuing the great tradition of SLU soccer,” Sorber said. “It was exciting to know that I was going to be playing with Mark and learning from him, because I was shooting for a level that he had already attained.”

Players on the 2004 ballot are:

Michelle Akers
John Maessner
Desmond Armstrong
Holly Manthei
Geoff Aunger
Pato Margetic
Brian Bliss
Megan McCarthy
Chico Borja
Bruce Murray
Paul Bravo
Uche Okafor
Paul Caligiuri
Francis Okaroh
Jeff Causey
Hugo Perez
Fernando Clavijo
Brandon Pollard
Thomas Dooley
Sarah Rafanelli
John Doyle
Mark Santel
Eric Eichmann
Mark Semioli
Wendy Gebauer
Mark Simpson
Linda Hamilton
Diego Sonora
Mary Harvey
Mike Sorber
Mo Johnston
Steve Trittschuh
Debbie Keller
Perry Van der Beck
John Kerr Jr.
Roy Wegerle
Frank Klopas
Eric Wynalda