By Field Level Media
Nov 13 (Field Level Media) – Two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup champions Megan Rapinoe and Julie Ertz were elected to the National Soccer Hall of Fame in their first year of eligibility, and David Beckham also was chosen for induction on Thursday.
Former U.S. men’s national team striker Jozy Altidore, ex-indoor soccer player Tatu and ex-USMNT coach Lothar Osiander were also selected for induction in the Class of 2027.
Rapinoe, 41, and Ertz, 34, were key players as the U.S. women’s national team won World Cup titles in 2015 and 2019.
Rapinoe, a speedy winger, scored 63 goals in 203 appearances for the USWNT from 2006-23. She captured the Golden Boot (top scorer) and Golden Ball (top player) honors at the 2019 Women’s World Cup in France, and she won the Ballon d’Or Feminin as the world’s top player that year.
The longtime Seattle Reign player said Thursday on social media of her induction into the Hall of Fame, “To be alongside all the greatest players that have played for us, and played for our country alongside a bunch of my teammates and friends, recognized like that in this way just means you were successful and a part of great teams. So, I definitely was a part of some great teams, and yeah, it’s very special.”
Ertz was a hard-nosed midfielder and defender for the USWNT, netting 20 goals in 123 caps. She played most of her club career for the Chicago Red Stars.
Beckham, a 51-year-old Englishman, made the National Soccer Hall of Fame on the veteran ballot.
Beckham was an established world superstar when he joined the Los Angeles Galaxy in 2007, and his presence brought increased attention to Major League Soccer. He helped the Galaxy capture MLS Cup championships in 2011 and 2012.
As part of his contract to join MLS, he was granted the option to purchase an expansion team at a discounted rate, and that club wound up being Inter Miami. The Herons also boosted the league’s profile when they signed Lionel Messi in 2023.
Altidore, 37, produced the third-highest goal total in USMNT history, 42 in 115 caps. He split his club career between European teams, including Villarreal and Sunderland, and MLS teams, including the New York Red Bulls and Toronto FC.
Osiander, an 87-year-old Germany native, coached the USMNT from 1986-88 before stints coaching the Galaxy and the San Jose Earthquakes. He was elected to the National Soccer Hall of Fame as a builder.
Tatu, a 64-year-old Brazilian, scored more than 800 goals in indoor soccer, mostly for the Dallas Sidekicks. Like Beckham, he was elected to the Hall of Fame on the veteran vote.
(–Field Level Media)
