Eric Wynalda is a former American soccer forward, the all-time leading scorer for the U.S. National Team. When asked who significantly impacted his success he noted his father. "He recognized early that he wanted to stay as my dad, he didn't want to be my coach. He would always surround me with people that would push me. He had very subtle ways of reminding me that I could always get better, but he let other people do it through him. I think that was pretty smart." Wynalda appreciates the influence his father had in his life.