About Marcelo Balboa
Marcelo Balboa retired in Colorado after a thirteen year professional career. He was inducted into the US Soccer Hall of Fame in 2005. At the time of his retirement Marcelo was one of the first three US players to have played in three different World Cups (1990, 1994, and 1998). In the 1994 World Cup, Marcelo was one of five US players to play in every minute of every game. Later in 1994 he was named US Soccer’s Male Athlete of the Year for the second time, having won it in 1992, as well. He became the first US soccer player to reach 100 international appearances on June 11, 1995 in a 3-2 win over Nigeria. On September 2, 1995, he played in the FIFA World All-Star game in Tokyo. In 1998 Marcelo became the world’s third all time cap leader and finished his career with 128 caps in all. Marcelo is the highest scoring defender in US history.
Marcelo played in the MLS beginning in 1996. He primarily played for the Colorado Rapids and played in five consecutive all-star games. He also played for Leon of the Mexican first division in 1995 and was in the American Professional Soccer league from 1987-1992.
Marcelo was an All-American for two seasons at San Diego State (1988 and 1989) before turning professional.
Since raising two kids, working as the lead TV analyst for ABC and ESPN during the 2006 World Cup, and acting as the Rapids Community Ambassador wasn’t challenging enough, he volunteered to coach a team of players just entering their teenage years. Because one of those players is Dirk’s son, John and Dirk had the opportunity to get to know Marcelo and enlisted his help in this book. They are happy to be able to provide his insights into the game with you at the end of the chapters in this book.
