Megan Rapinoe and David Beckham Voted Into Soccer Hall of Fame

Stars Earn Hall of Fame Honors

Megan Rapinoe, Jozy Altidore, and Julie Ertz have been elected to the National Soccer Hall of Fame. Former international star David Beckham was also voted into the Hall of Fame on the veteran ballot.

The new inductees will be honored on April 16 at the National Soccer Hall of Fame in Plano, Texas. The election results were announced on Thursday.

U.S. National Team Icons Selected

Megan Rapinoe earned election on the player ballot in her first year of eligibility. Her family, friends, and fans surprised her with the news at Seattle Tacoma International Airport when her flight landed.

Rapinoe won two Women's World Cup titles, an Olympic gold medal, and the 2019 Ballon d'Or. She was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2022. She retired from the national team in 2023 after recording 63 goals and 73 assists in 203 matches. Rapinoe also played for Seattle Reign FC from 2013 until she retired.

"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 some great teams, and yeah, it's very special," Rapinoe said in a video posted to social media.

Julie Ertz was also voted in on the player ballot. Considered one of the top defensive midfielders before retiring in 2023, she played in three Women's World Cups and won U.S. Soccer's Player of the Year award twice. She played for the Chicago Red Stars from 2014 to 2021 before a short period with Angel City FC in 2023.

Jozy Altidore joined them on the player ballot. He played in two World Cups and scored 42 international goals in 115 matches, which places him third in U.S. history. Altidore also scored the winning goal for Toronto FC in the 2017 MLS Cup.

Beckham, Tatu, and Osiander Join Class

David Beckham made the Hall of Fame on the veteran ballot. He won six Premier League titles with Manchester United before moving to the LA Galaxy in 2007, where he won back to back titles and scored 18 goals in 98 games. Beckham exercised an option to buy an MLS expansion team in 2014, with Inter Miami CF taking the field in 2020.

Brazilian forward Tatu also earned a spot on the veteran ballot. He scored 857 regular season goals over a 21 year indoor career, making him only the third indoor player to enter the Hall of Fame.

Former U.S. coach Lothar Osiander was elected on the builder ballot. He coached the senior national team from 1986 to 1988 and the Under 23 team from 1988 to 1992, alongside coaching stints with the San Jose Clash and LA Galaxy.