Megan Rapinoe, Julie Ertz and David Beckham Chosen for Soccer Hall of Fame

Megan Rapinoe has been elected to the National Soccer Hall of Fame in her first year of eligibility, joining fellow two-time World Cup winner Julie Ertz and former England captain David Beckham in the Class of 2027. The selections were announced on Thursday, according to the report. Rapinoe and Ertz were part of the US women’s national team that won the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2015 and 2019. Rapinoe scored 63 goals in 203 appearances for the national side between 2006 and 2023. At the 2019 tournament in France, she earned both the Golden Boot as leading scorer and the Golden Ball as the competition’s outstanding player, and later that year won the Ballon d’Or Féminin. Responding to the news on social media, Rapinoe said the honour meant being recognised alongside great players, teammates and friends. She reflected that the achievement showed she had been part of successful teams, adding that the induction felt special. Ertz, who played as a midfielder and defender, scored 20 goals across 123 appearances for the United States. Her club career was largely spent with the Chicago Red Stars. Beckham, 51, was selected through the veterans ballot. After joining the LA Galaxy in 2007, he helped the club win MLS Cup titles in 2011 and 2012, while his arrival brought added attention to Major League Soccer, the article says. The other inductees named in the report are former US striker Jozy Altidore, indoor soccer standout Tatu and ex-US national team coach Lothar Osiander. Altidore scored 42 goals for the United States, while Tatu recorded more than 800 indoor soccer goals, mostly with the Dallas Sidekicks. Osiander coached the national team from 1986 to 1988 and was selected as a builder. The Hall of Fame induction ceremony is scheduled for April 16 in Frisco, Texas.