The other one, as Speca calls it, is the National Soccer Hall of Fame in Oneonta, N.Y.

“As far as the State [Athletic Hall of Fame], it?s great. I was in the Old-Timer?s Soccer Hall of Fame and now I?m in the State,” Speca said.

“The real big one is the National [Soccer Hall of Fame].”

Speca revealed recently that the National Soccer Hall of Fame has added the former Patterson High and Mount St. Joseph forward to its veterans list as a possible 2008 inductee.

According to former teammate and fellow Maryland State Athletic Hall of Famer Larry Surock, Speca is deserving of induction.

“In those prime years, nobody was better than Joe,” Surock said in the Hall of Fame program.

“Very versatile ? he?d play up front or in the back with great anticipation. He could really read the game.”

The misfortune of being inducted roughly 35 years after he stopped playing professionally showed through Tuesday ? when Speca shared the room at Michael?s Eighth Avenue with the likes of NCAA champion coach Tubby Smith, NFL star Antonio Freeman and baseball All-Star Denny Neagle.

“Being a soccer player, they?re probably saying, how did this guy get in here,” Speca said, drawing a laugh from the crowd.

But Speca was a member of the 1959 U.S. National Team that upset Brazil, 5-3, for the nation?s first medal in the sport ? a bronze in the Pan-American Games.

The exuberant Speca, who now lives in Bel Air with his wife, Toni, entertained the crowd for nearly 10 minutes.

“They signed David Beckham for $250 million. They could have gotten me for a lot cheaper than that,” Speca said.

“I want to be 22 one more time and play one more game. That?s all.”

That ? and the recognition of the National Soccer Hall of Fame.