USF Athletic Hall of Fame
Named the Conference USA Player of the Decade for the 1990’s, Jeff Cunningham was a standout forward for USF men’s soccer before going on to success in Major League Soccer and national team appearances with the United States and Jamaica.
A two-time All-American (third team in 1996 and 1997) and three-time First Team All-Conference USA selection, Cunningham was also named to the 1994 All-Metro Conference team and Metro Rookie of the Year. He led the Bulls to conference championships and NCAA Tournament appearances in 1996 and 1997, reaching the NCAA third round in 1997.
Named the 1997-98 USF Athlete of the Year, Cunningham led the Bulls in goals in 1994 and assists in 1996 and finished his career standing third all-time in points (118) and assists (36), and seventh in goals (41) at USF. His 18 assists in 1996 stand second all-time.
He was selected ninth overall in the first round of the 1998 MLS College Draft by the Columbus Crew and went on to play professionally for 15 years, scoring 139 goals in 385 appearances. Along with the Crew, he played professionally for Colorado Rapids, Real Salt Lake, Toronto FC, FC Dallas, Comunicaciones and San Antonio Scorpions FC.
His 134-career regular-season MLS goals were a record when he finished his career, now third all-time, and he set a then MLS record with eight goals in his rookie season. He went on to lead the league in scoring twice (16 goals in 2006 and 17 goals in 2009) to earn the MLS Golden Boot Award. He was voted to the MLS Best XI three times (2002, 2006 and 2009) and played in the 2005 MLS All-Star Game, scoring two goals.
Cunningham played for the Jamaica National Team in 1999, and, after becoming a US citizen, made 14 appearances with the US National Team from 2001 through 2009, scoring his first career international goal in 2009.
Cunningham was inducted in the USF Athletic Hall of Fame Class of 2024.
