Sampson Elected to United Soccer Coaches Hall of Fame
10/13/2025 10:05:00 AM | Men's Soccer
SAN LUIS OBISPO – One of the most accomplished managers in United States soccer history, former Cal Poly head coach Steve Sampson was recently elected to the United Soccer Coaches Hall of Fame.
Founded in 1991, the United Soccer Coaches Hall of Fame honors achievements in coaching, work on behalf of the association and lifetime contributions to the game of soccer.
The 2026 induction ceremony for the four-member class will be held at the United Soccer Coaches Awards Ceremony, scheduled for Friday, Jan. 16 in Philadelphia.
During a career that spanned more than four decades of excellence, Sampson managed the United States Men’s National Team to the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France and directed LA Galaxy to both the 2005 Major League Soccer Cup title and 2005 U.S. Open Cup championship.
Among other notable assignments, Sampson served as the Costa Rica Men’s National Team manager (2002-04) – becoming the first American-born coach to manage a national team outside of the United States – and as an assistant with the United States for the 1994 FIFA World Cup. During the buildup to the 1994 World Cup in the U.S., Sampson was the vice president for competition on the organizing committee and the chairman of the United States National Team Committee.
Collegiately, Sampson directed Santa Clara to an undefeated record during its 1989 NCAA Division I national championship run. He also helped guide UCLA to the 1985 NCAA title as an assistant coach.
Named Cal Poly head coach ahead of the 2015 season, Sampson – during his first year – directed the Mustangs back to the NCAA Tournament while the squad matched a program record with 11 victories and reached a high of No. 20 in the United Soccer Coaches Division I poll.
During seven seasons with Cal Poly (2015-22; no competition in 2020), Sampson produced 44 victories, 22 All-Big West honorees, three Major League Soccer SuperDraft selections, more than a dozen players signing professional contracts and a 33-20-8 home record at Mustang Memorial Field.
