LA Galaxy trio among National Soccer HOF 1st year eligible players

The National Soccer Hall of Fame announced their list of 1st year eligible players who will join the ballot and become eligible to get inducted into the National Soccer HOF. Three of the 13 first time eligible players are former Galaxy players. They are: Landon Donovan, Jermaine Jones, and Chris Pontius.

Donovan is one of the best players in LA Galaxy (and MLS) history. Donovan played in 253 matches for the Galaxy, scoring 113 goals in that time and contributing 107 assists. He is the club's all-time career leader in both categories (goals and assists). Donovan is also the all-time career assists leader in MLS with 137 (which includes his time with San Jose). The Galaxy won a remarkable five MLS Cups during Donovan's tenure with the club.

Donovan also scored 57 goals in a long and successful career with the United States Men's National Team, while also playing in three World Cups (with many people believing he should've played in the 2014 WC to make it four). He is tied for first all-time (with Clint Dempsey) in USMNT history in goals and is second all-time in appearances (only trailing fellow LA Galaxy legend Cobi Jones)

In my opinion, Donovan is arguably a shoo-in to be a first ballot Hall of Famer. He is an MLS and a USMNT legend. One of the best ever in the US for club & country.

Jermaine Jones played one season in LA towards the end of his career. He appeared in 20 matches (starting 19) in 2017 with LA, scoring one goal. He also added four assists. Jones also made 19 key passes that season while playing 86 accurate long balls. Jones also had a successful USMNT career where he played in two World Cups (including a goal against Portugal in the 2014 edition).

Chris Pontius played two seasons in LA in 2018 and 2019. He scored seven goals, along with nine assists, across 44 matches in that span. Pontius is mostly known for his lengthy career with DC United where he appeared in over 150 matches and scored 31 goals.

Interestingly, Donovan and Pontius are both originally from near the Los Angeles area. Donovan is from nearby Ontario, California and Pontius is from Yorba Linda. Pontius also went to college at UC-Santa Barbara just 100 or so miles away from LA.

I believe that Donovan should be a first ballot Hall of Famer. Jones and Pontius are long-shots, but that's just as much due to how limited the number's are into the HOF every year. Only a maximum of six new inductees can be chosen every year (and this includes all of the players still on the ballot from previous years).