The Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame have announced the 2014 induction class, including several alumni of Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
Among the group are original 1974 'Caps player and former Whitecaps FC women’s head coach Chris Bennett, as well as original Whitecaps FC women’s player Geri Donnelly. Also being inducted are members of the Canadian men’s national team who won the 2000 CONCACAF Gold Cup, including 'Caps or 86ers alumni Jeff Clarke, Carlo Corazzin, Garret Kusch, Martin Nash, Pat Onstad, Mark Watson, and Davide Xausa.
Bennett is being inducted in the builder’s category. A native of North Vancouver, BC, Bennett was a member of the original 1974 Vancouver Whitecaps who were honoured earlier this year as part of the club’s 40th anniversary. The former Canadian international, who represented his country over 65 times as a player and coach, also led Whitecaps FC women to their first USL W-League title on August 8, 2004.
Donnelly was a member of the Canadian women’s national team at two FIFA Women’s World Cups, representing the Red and White in both 1995 and 1999. The native of Port Moody, BC, played for Vancouver Angels in the Women’s Premier Soccer League (WPSL). In 2001, Donnelly joined the club with Vancouver Breakers in the W-League, who would then become Vancouver Whitecaps FC women.
The 2000 men’s national team enter as the Team of Distinction after becoming the first ever Canadian senior men’s team to win a major trophy, capturing the CONCACAF Gold Cup after a 2-0 win over Colombia in the final. Coquitlam, BC, native Corazzin scored the second goal for the Red and White in the final and finished as the top scorer in the tournament.
Also being inducted are Carmine Marcantonio, Isabelle Morneau, Hector Vergara, Harry Manson, the Edmonton Angels and the Robbie International. The class of 2014 will be inducted during a ceremony in Vaughan, Ontario on November 9.
