Congratulations to former San Jose Earthquakes player Steve Zungul, who was elected to the National Soccer Hall of Fame on Monday. Induction into the Hall of Fame is considered the highest honor in American soccer.
Slavisa ‘Steve’ Zungul was born in Yugoslavia and competed for Croatian side Hajduk Split and the Yugoslavia National Team. At the age of 24 in 1978, Zungul defected to the United States to play for the New York Arrows of the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL).
During his first four seasons with New York, Zungul was named league MVP three times, led the league in scoring three times, and guided the Arrows to four consecutive MISL championships. Zungul was then traded to the Golden Bay Earthquakes during the 1982-83 season and proceeded to lead the league in scoring once again. He earned the moniker ‘Lord of All Indoors’ for his rapid and consistent success.
In 1983, Zungul returned to the outdoor game, competing for the Earthquakes in the North American Soccer League (NASL). He went on to become an All-Star in both 1983 and 1984, while also securing league MVP honors in 1984 after tallying 20 goals and 10 assists in 24 games.
Upon the NASL folding after the 1984 season, Zungul returned to the MISL and played for the San Diego Sockers (1984-86, 1988-90) and the Tacoma Stars (1986-88). He continued to dominate the competition and won league MVP again in both 1985 and 1986.
Zungul currently resides in Escondido, Calif. with his family.