Saint Louis University Assistant Men’s Soccer Coach Mike Sorber was chosen as a candidate for induction into the National Soccer Hall of Fame Jan. 15. The induction ceremony that will take place in Oneonta, NY, is scheduled for the weekend of Aug. 22-24.
In his collegiate days, Sorber was a midfielder for the Billikens from 1989 to 1992, leading SLU to the NCAA semifinals in the 1991 season. His senior year, Sorber was a finalist for the Hermann Trophy, an award that honors the top male and female soccer players in the country by the Missouri Athletic Club.
Following his career at SLU, Sorber went on to play for the U.S. National Team. Beginning in January of 1992, he appeared in 67 games, including starts in all four games during the 1994 World Cup under head coach Bora Milutinovic.
“When you analyze the World Cup, Sorber was probably our MVP,” Milutinovic said in an online press release. “He is disciplined and intelligent.”
After a brief stint playing professionally in Mexico, Sorber joined the Kansas City Wizards in the Major League Soccer league. After three seasons with the NY/NJ MetroStars, Sorber went to the Chicago Fire, where he helped the team advance to the MLS Cup finals.
In 2001, Sorber returned to SLU as the first assistant coach under Donigan. During his six years here, he has helped guide the Billikens to four NCAA tournament appearances.
“Mike has done so much for the game, not only just here in St. Louis, but in the United States in general,” Donigan said. “In addition to having nearly 70 caps playing for the international team, he’s the only American to be named to the Mexican All-Star team.”
The National Soccer Coaches Association of America named Sorber the Central Region Assistant Coach of the Year the year he returned to be an assistant coach. Donigan said having him at SLU puts the team on the forefront of the national scene.
“Even though he’s only here on a volunteer basis, he’s still around 80 percent of the time,” Donigan said. “The athletes are able to lean on his experience and background in the games.”
The HOF Selection Committee is comprised of National Team and qualified MLS coaches, media members, national soccer administrators and all current Hall of Famers. In order to be inducted, Sorber would need to appear on at least 75 percent of the ballots cast.
In total, more than 200 individuals are eligible to vote on the 57 possible candidates for the Hall of Fame in the 2008 election.
If inducted, Sorber would join four other Billiken coaches. Legendary Coach Robert Guelker was inducted in 1980 after leading the Billikens to five National Championships between 1959 and 1965.
Joining Guelker is another five-time National Championship coach: Harry Keough. All-American Pat McBride was inducted in 1994, followed by two-time Hermann trophy winner Al Trost in 2006.
