Rapinoe, Altidore, Ertz into National Soccer Hall of Fame - ESPN

Former United States national team standouts Megan Rapinoe, Jozy Altidore and Julie Ertz were among those elected to the National Soccer Hall of Fame on Thursday.

David Beckham, who helped grow soccer in the United States when he joined the LA Galaxy in 2007 and later as an owner of Inter Miami CF, was also voted in on the veteran ballot.

The group announced Thursday will be inducted on April 16 at the National Soccer Hall of Fame in Plano, Texas.

Rapinoe won a pair of Women's World Cup championships, an Olympic gold medal and the 2019 Ballon d'Or during her career. She was also honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, in 2022.

She retired from the national team in 2023 with 63 goals and 73 assists in 203 appearances. She also played for Seattle Reign FC in the NWSL from the league's first year in 2013 until her retirement.

Rapinoe was elected on the Hall of Fame's player ballot in her first year of eligibility. Her family, friends, and a group of fans surprised her with announcement of her election upon her arrival off a flight at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

«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.

Altidore played in the World Cup twice and scored 42 international goals, to rank third in U.S. history, in 115 appearances for the national team. He also scored the winning goal for Toronto FC in the 2017 MLS Cup championship.

Ertz was considered among