Born: June 9, 1969 in Fullerton, California
Westlake H.S., Westlake, CA 1987
San Diego State
CAREER
High School:
Eric began his soccer career playing in AYSO, and attended Westlake High School in Westlake Village, California. He was a three-year All C.I.F. and three-year First Team All State player for Westlake.
College:
At San Diego State University, Eric was Freshman Athlete of the Year. His team made it to the NCAA Final Four.
After three years, he left college to become a Professional Soccer Player
National Team:
Eric made his debut on the U.S. Men’s National Team in 1990 against Costa Rica, while still a student at San Diego State. He was chosen to the 1990 FIFA World Cup Squad.
Eric made eight appearances in the 1990, 1994, 1998 World Cups. He was capped 106 times for the national team from 1990 through 2000. He holds the team scoring record with 34 goals. He also played the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 1991, 1993, 1996, 1998 and 2000, and the Copa America in 1993 and 1995. He was named to the All-Copa America team in 1995, as the U.S. made it to the semifinals.
He started his professional career with San Francisco in the American Professional Soccer League, then went to Germany where he played three seasons in the German First Division. He was the first American born striker to play professionally in Europe.
In 1996 he returned to the U.S. to join the San Jose Clash of the newly formed Major League Soccer (MLS). On April 6, 1996 he scored the league’s first goal against D.C. United. He was that year’s scoring champion with 33 points (10 goals and 13 assists).
Eric then played with the Miami Fusion and the New England Revolution, and ended his career with the Chicago Fire, where he scored 10 goals and five assists in 21 games.
Eric was elected to the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2004.
HONORS AND ACHIEVEMENTS
USA Appearance Page (#4)
USA World Cup Teams Co-Leader (#1 tie)
CONCACAF Gold Cup Championship Tournament Appearance Leader (#1)
CONCACAF Gold Cup Championship Games Started Leader (#1)
USA World Cup Tourney Participation (#1 tie)
(youngest player in the World Cup for USA)
USA Assist Leader (#2)
USA Consecutive Games Assisting Leader (#1)
USA Goalscoring Leader (#1)
CONCACAF Gold cup Championship USA Goalscoring Leader (#1)
CONCACAF Gold Cup Championship Goalscoring (#2)
USA Consecutive Years Scoring Goals – 10 (#1)
USA World Cup (Qualifying & Tournament) Goals (#1 tie)
USA World Cup Qualifying Goals (#2)
USA Season Goalscoring Co-Leader (#1 tie)
USA Points Leader (#1)
Honda Player of the Year – 1992 and 1996 (the only two time winner)
USSF Male Player of the Year 1996
FIFA’S CONCACAF Team of the Century
Honda Player of the Decade – 2000
COMMUNITY
Eric works for ABC / ESPN as a color commentator and is well-known for his outspoken opinions.
He volunteers time to AYSO and continues to work in soccer with the Conejo Valley United Youth.