Megan Rapinoe, Jozy Altidore and Julie Ertz were elected to the National Soccer Hall of Fame on Thursday, joining a group that also includes David Beckham. The honorees are scheduled to be inducted on April 16 at the Hall of Fame in Plano, Texas.
Rapinoe earned election through the player ballot in her first year of eligibility. Her international career included two Women's World Cup titles, an Olympic gold medal and the 2019 Ballon d'Or. In 2022, she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States.
When Rapinoe retired from international soccer in 2023, she had recorded 63 goals and 73 assists across 203 national team appearances. She also represented Seattle Reign FC from the NWSL's inaugural season in 2013 until her retirement. Family members, friends and fans surprised her with news of her election after she arrived on a flight at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. In a video shared on social media, she described the recognition alongside teammates and friends as “very special.”
Altidore's national team career included two World Cup appearances and 42 goals in 115 matches. That scoring total places him third in U.S. history. At club level, he supplied the winning goal for Toronto FC in its 2017 MLS Cup championship victory.
Ertz competed in three Women's World Cups and twice earned U.S. Soccer's Player of the Year award. Regarded as one of the world's leading defensive midfielders before retiring in 2023, she spent 2014 through 2021 with the Chicago Red Stars in the NWSL. She later had a brief spell with Angel City FC in 2023.
Beckham was selected on the veteran ballot after a career that included six Premier League championships with Manchester United. His arrival at the LA Galaxy in 2007 helped expand soccer's profile in the United States. He scored 18 goals in 98 appearances for the Galaxy and helped the club win consecutive titles. In 2014, he exercised an option to purchase an MLS expansion team, with Inter Miami CF beginning league play in 2020.
Also elected through the veteran ballot was Brazilian forward Tatu, whose indoor soccer career lasted 21 years and produced 857 regular-season goals. He becomes only the third indoor player selected for the Hall of Fame.
Lothar Osiander received election on the builder ballot. He led the U.S. senior national team from 1986 to 1988 and coached the Under-23 side from 1988 to 1992. His coaching career also included head coaching roles with the LA Galaxy and the club then known as the San Jose Clash.
