Timbers great and Ring of Honor member Clive Charles among 25 semifinalists for National Soccer Hall of Fame Builder list
On Tuesday, the National Soccer Hall of Fame in Frisco, Texas, named their 25 class of 2025 semifinalists for the Builder list which includes Portland Timbers NASL great and Ring of Honor member Clive Charles.
Charles was a defender for the early NASL years of the Timbers, playing from 1978-81. After he retired from his playing career, Charles settled in the Rose City and became a key figure in the growth of soccer in Portland and the U.S. across youth, collegiate and professional ranks. This summer, the Timbers recognized and celebrated his legacy in the release of a special edition third kit in July, called The Clive Kit.
Orginally included in The National Soccer Hall of Fame's 2025 Builder list of 113 eligible candidates, Charles was selected by the nine-person Builder Screening Committee into a semifinalist list of 25 candidates which will next be narrowed down to 10 finalists. The 24-person Builder Voting Committee will determine who, from that list of finalists, will be elected to this year's class.
USMNT legend Jeff Agoos on Clive Charles: "He made people better" | From the Arclives
Charles’ coaching career includes 17 seasons (1986-2002) at the University of Portland, where he led both the men’s and women’s programs. He coached Portland to an NCAA Division I women’s championship in 2002 and collected 439 career combined victories. The players he developed at UP include Hall of Famers Kasey Keller, Shannon MacMillan, Steve Cherundolo and Tiffeny Milbrett. Current Thorns FC forward Christine Sinclair, the all-time leader in international goals scored, was also a former Pilot under Charles.
Portland legend Christine Sinclair on Clive Charles' impact, winning the 2002 title | From the Arclives
Charles coached at multiple levels with U.S. Soccer, working with several players who have since been inducted into the Hall of Fame. He was the head coach of the United States team that reached the semifinals of the 2000 Olympic Games, and was an assistant coach for the U.S. Men’s National Team at the 1998 FIFA World Cup.
