A KID IN THE HALL WYNALDA SHARES BIG DAY.

Byline: Sean Ceglinsky Staff Writer

Not too many 13-year-olds are afforded the opportunity to visit the National Soccer Hall of Fame in Oneonta, N.Y., let alone speak at an induction ceremony. Jonathan Decker isn't your average 13-year-old.

Decker, an eighth-grader at Hillside Middle School in Simi Valley, introduced family friend Eric Wynalda at the festivities two weeks ago, when the striker entered the Hall of Fame two weeks ago, part of a class that also featured Michelle Akers, Paul Caligiuri and Mike Windischmann.

``It was an experience I'll always remember,'' Decker said.

Wynalda, too, for obvious reasons.

``In retrospect, you think about all the little things you did along the way, and being elected is the culmination of all the hard work,'' said Wynalda, a Westlake High graduate. ``It's an enormous honor.''

Wynalda has helped put soccer, at least in America, on the map in many ways. He played in three World Cups for the United States, is the career U.S. national team goals leader with 33 and was the first American to play in Germany's Bundesliga. Wynalda also scored the first goal in Major League Soccer; he finished his five-year MLS career with 23 goals.

His days wearing shinguards and cleats behind him, Wynalda has turned his focus toward the sport's future. Thus the decision to have Decker, rather than a peer, speak on his behalf at the induction ceremony.

``There are more important things in life than statistics,'' Wynalda said. ``Jonathan did a good job of putting things in perspective. He won over the crowd.''

Wynalda, who resides in Moorpark, works as an analyst on ESPN's broadcasts and coaches young players. He's committed to mentoring Decker, whom he first noticed at a camp in Agoura nearly eight years ago.

It was hard to miss Decker, who described himself as ``the little kid with the big glasses.''

Wynalda recalls Decker as a younger kid who competed equally with older players.

``He is the soccer freak of our family,'' said Irene Decker, Jonathan's mother.

The two crossed paths again at an MLS game about a year later and have remained in contact since. Perhaps Wynalda is subtly attempting to pass the torch from teacher to pupil, although it's unreasonable to expect too much too soon.

Decker next fall will attend Royal High, which has regularly produced quality soccer players. In the meantime, he continues to grow as a player, and as an individual. And he's become quite adept at public speaking.

If Decker was nervous at the induction ceremony, he certainly didn't show it. At one point, he had the crowd roaring with laughter.

``My whole family is here to see the Hall of Fame,'' he said. ``You know, the one in Oneonta, not the one in Cooperville, or whatever it's called.''

Decker was referring to Cooperstown, home of the Baseball Hall of Fame. It was an easy mistake for someone who would prefer to chase around a soccer ball at the local park than sit in front of the television for a World Series game.

He hit a home run with his speech.

``Soccer isn't about what we can do,'' Decker said. ``It's about who we are.''

Wynalda couldn't have been more impressed.

``Soccer is about the future,'' Wynalda said, ''and the Jonathan Deckers of the world embody the future of this sport.''

Sean Ceglinsky, [phone]

sean.ceglinsky(at)dailynews.com

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Jonathan Decker introduced mentor Eric Wynalda at the National Soccer Hall of Fame's induction ceremony.

Joe Binoya/Special to the Daily News