Marcelo Balboa played for the U.S.  soccer team and was team captain in the 1990 and 1994 World Cup games.  His skill as a defender earned him the title of U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year in 1992 and 1994.  In 1995, Marcelo Balboa became the first U.S. player to be captain 100 times.

Marcelo Balboa played in the Mexican League in 1995 and 1996 and later signed with the Major League Soccer s Colorado Rapids.  In 1998, Balboa joined Eric Wynalda and Tab Ramos as the first U.S. players to play in three World Cups.

Balboa ended his U.S. career with 13 goals and 128 caps, and his MLS career with 24 goals and 23 assists, playing 152 games.

In 2005, he was named to the MLS All Time Best XI and was elected to the National Soccer Hall of Fame.

Currently, Balboa is doing soccer commentary for ESPN and ABC and was on the network s 1 U.S. announcing team for the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

Currently, Balboa is doing soccer commentary for ESPN and ABC and was on the network s 1 U.S. announcing team for the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

Balboa ended his U.S. career with 13 goals and 128 caps, and his MLS career with 24 goals and 23 assists, playing 152 games.

In 2005, he was named to the MLS All Time Best XI and was elected to the National Soccer Hall of Fame.

Currently, Balboa is doing soccer commentary for ESPN and ABC and was on the network s 1 U.S. announcing team for the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

Currently, Balboa is doing soccer commentary for ESPN and ABC and was on the network s 1 U.S. announcing team for the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

Soccer, Athlete, Sports Motivation, Hispanic Heritage, Illinois, Chicago, Sports