Eddie Pope

Eddie Pope was from North Carolina and played in college at the University of North Carolina, earning first-team All-American honors in 1994. A defender, Pope played on the US national team from 1996-2006, playing at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, and helping them win the 1998 CONCACAF Gold Cup. He also played at three World Cups, in 1998, 2002, and 2006. In his international career he earned 82 caps.

Pope was the second overall selection of the 1996 MLS College Draft, being taken by DC United. He played with United from 1996-2002, and then was traded to the MetroStars, playing with them for two years. He spent the final three years of MLS career with Real Salt Lake. In 1997 he was named MLS Defender of the Year.

Pope was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2011. After retirement he became director of player relations for the MLS Players’ Union. In 2015 he left that position to join the Octagon sport agency.