The National Soccer Hall of Fame announced Tuesday that Major League Soccer pioneers and U.S. national team stars Marcelo Balboa, John Harkes and Tab Ramos will be inducted into the Hall of Fame on Aug. 29 in Oneonta, NY. All three were instrumental in the growth of MLS, participating in the league's inaugural season in 1996 and racking up more than 100 appearances each in their storied professional careers.

Balboa, Harkes and Ramos were easily elected in their first years of eligibility. Hall of Fame induction criteria stipulate that a player must be retired for at least three years and each wrapped up their player careers in 2002. Additionally, each player easily surpasses the minimum of 20 international games for the United States.

Ramos, who grew up in Kearny, NJ with fellow 2005 inductee Harkes, spent his entire MLS career with his hometown team, the MetroStars. He returned from a successful career in Europe to be the first player ever signed by MLS and he stayed at Giants Stadium through the 2002 campaign.

Ramos also was a regular for the national team, earning 81 caps between 1988 and 2000. Ramos assisted on Earnie Stewart's goal against Columbia in 1994 to help send the U.S. into the knockout stages, but his round-of-16 appearance against Brazil was cut short when an elbow to his head resulted in a fractured skull.

"You can never be prepared for a moment like this," said Ramos. "I am extremely honored to be one of the soccer names that will live forever and I say that with a great respect for the Hall of Famers who preceded me."

Balboa, Harkes and Ramos will be officially inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in a ceremony at the Hall on Aug. 29.