On the Pitch
On the Pitch
On the Pitch
On the Pitch
National Soccer Hall of Fame Announces the Six Members of its 2027 Class
Altidore, Ertz and Rapinoe Elected in First Year of Eligibility, Will Join Galaxy Legend Beckham, Indoor MVP Tatu and Pioneering Coach Osiander at April 16 Induction
FRISCO, Texas (Nov. 12, 2026) — The National Soccer Hall of Fame today announced that the six members of its 2027 class are Jozy Altidore, Sir David Beckham, Julie Johnston Ertz, Lothar Osiander, Megan Rapinoe and Tatu.
They will be inducted at a private ceremony April 16, 2027, at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas.
The Hall of Fame recognizes players, coaches, referees and others whose achievements and contributions have shaped soccer in the United States. Altidore, Ertz and Rapinoe were elected from the Player Ballot; all three were in their first year of eligibility. Beckham and Tatu were elected from the Veteran Ballot, and Osiander was elected from the Builder Ballot.
“Few classes capture the breadth of American soccer history quite like the Class of 2027,” said Djorn Buchholz, executive director of the Hall of Fame. “These six individuals have helped define eras, inspire generations and elevate the game in this country. We’re honored to recognize their extraordinary contributions to American soccer.”
A prolific scorer for the U.S. Men’s National Team, Altidore made 115 appearances from 2007 to 2019, ranking third in USMNT history with 42 goals. He started all four matches in the 2010 World Cup and one match at the 2014 World Cup before being sidelined by injury. Altidore started his club career in Major League Soccer with the New York Red Bulls (2006-2008) before spending eight seasons abroad with stops in the Spanish Primera, English Premier League, Dutch Eredivisie and the Turkish Süper Lig. He returned to MLS in 2015 and helped Toronto FC win the 2017 MLS Cup and Supporters’ Shield, as well as three straight Canadian Championships (2016-2018). He retired after a two-year stint with the New England Revolution (2022-2023).
Friends and family surprised Altidore with the news of his election in Boca Raton, Fla.
A defender and midfielder who played a key role in the U.S. victories at the Women’s World Cup in 2015 and 2019, Ertz played 123 games for the U.S. Women’s National Team from 2013 to 2023. She made 17 World Cup appearances in the 2015, 2019 and 2023 tournaments, as well as eight appearances at the Olympic Games in 2016 and 2021. Ertz scored 20 goals in her international career and was named the USSF women’s player of the year in 2017 and 2019. She played in the National Women’s Soccer League from 2014 through 2023 for the Chicago Red Stars and Angel City and was named to the Best XI in 2015, 2019 and 2020.
Ertz learned about her election to the Hall of Fame from her husband, Zach, who surprised her with the news at the Philadelphia Eagles’ training facility.
A midfielder and forward who won two of the four Women’s World Cups in which she played, Rapinoe made 203 appearances for the USWNT between 2006 and 2023. She played 20 World Cup matches in 2011, 2015, 2019 and 2023, winning the Golden Ball (outstanding player) and the Golden Boot (leading scorer) in the 2019 tournament. She scored 63 goals in international play, including nine in World Cup play, and also won a gold medal at the 2012 Olympic Games. She was named the FIFA women’s player of the year in 2019. Rapinoe played three seasons (2009-2011) with Chicago and Florida in Women’s Professional Soccer and 10 seasons (2013-2023) with Seattle and OL Reign in the NWSL. She was named to the NWSL’s Best XI in 2018.
Rapinoe’s twin sister, Rachael, joined family and friends at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport to surprise her with the news when she landed.
David Beckham
A midfielder who brought great publicity and popularity to American soccer during his time in MLS, Beckham helped the Los Angeles Galaxy to two league championships in his six seasons with the team (2007-2012). Captain for the English national team, Beckham won league titles with Manchester United (England) and Real Madrid (Spain) before joining the Galaxy. Beckham played for the Galaxy side that lost the MLS title game in 2009 before winning the title in 2011 and 2012. He played 98 regular-season games and 17 playoff games in MLS and was named to the league’s Best XI in 2011. After leaving MLS, Beckham won a league title with Paris Saint-Germain in France. Since retiring as a player, he has served as co-owner of Inter Miami CF, helping guide the club to its first MLS Cup in 2025.
MLS Commissioner Don Garber surprised Beckham with the news of his election to the Hall of Fame during a league Board of Governors meeting in Bal Harbour, Fla.
A forward who won the Major Indoor Soccer League’s most valuable player award twice, Tatu starred for the Dallas Sidekicks from 1984 through 1992, winning the league championship in 1987. He was a first-team all-MISL selection four times (1987, 1990-1992), led the league in scoring three times (1987, 1990-1991) and was most valuable player in 1987 and 1990. Tatu, whose real name is Antonio Carlos Pecorari, also played three outdoor seasons with the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the North American Soccer League. He played more than 10 seasons in other professional indoor leagues, including the Continental Indoor Soccer League, where he was named most valuable player three times.
Tatu’s family and friends surprised him with the news of his election during a Sisu Soccer Academy practice he was coaching in Southlake, Texas.
Osiander coached the USMNT from 1986 through 1988 and led the U.S. men’s Olympic team in 1988 and 1992. He was the Galaxy’s first coach, leading the team to the inaugural MLS Cup final in 1996, and he coached San Jose in 1999 and 2000.
Ralph Perez, a friend and former assistant coach with the Galaxy under Osiander, delivered the news at Osiander’s home in Pleasant Hill, Calif.
For the Player Ballot, election procedures call for the two Players named on the most ballots (and on at least 50 percent of the ballots) to be elected. A third Player also can be elected by being named on at least 75 percent of the ballots.
The 20 Player finalists received the following number of votes from the 48-member Player Voting Committee: Altidore (46, 95.8%), Ertz (46, 95.8%), Rapinoe (46, 95.8%), Michael Bradley (43, 89.6%), Ali Krieger (43, 89.6%), Samantha Mewis (35, 72.9%), Jermaine Jones (28, 58.3%), Michael Archer (22, 45.8%), Kyle Beckerman (22, 45.8%), Amy Rodriguez (22, 45.8%), Oguchi Onyewu (17, 35.4%), Dwayne DeRosario (16, 33.3%), Natalie Russo-Dickey (13, 27.1%), Robbie Keane (9, 18.8%), Stephanie Lopez Cox (9, 18.8%), Diego Valeri (8, 16.7%), Jessica McDonald (5, 10.4%), Ozzie Alonso (4, 8.3%), Matt Besler (4, 8.3%), Graham Zusi (0, 0.0%).
For the Veteran Ballot, election procedures call for the Veteran named on the most ballots (and on at least 50 percent of the ballots) to be elected. A second Veteran also can be elected by being named on at least 75 percent of the ballots.
The 10 Veteran finalists received the following number of votes from the 24-member Veteran Voting Committee: Tatu (22, 91.7%), Beckham (19, 79.2%), Ken Cooper Sr. (18, 75.0%), Tiffany Roberts (18, 75.0%), Clint Mathis (9, 37.5%), Lorrie Fair (7, 29.2%), Homare Sawa (7, 29.2%), Chico Borja (5, 20.8%), Francis Farberoff (4, 16.7%), Aly Wagner (3, 12.5%).
For the Builder Ballot, the 2027 rotation considered candidates from the coaches category only. Election procedures call for the Builder named on the most ballots (and on at least 50 percent of the ballots) to be elected.
The four Builder finalists received the following number of votes from the 24-member Builder Voting Committee: Osiander (18, 75.0%), Clive Charles (17, 70.8%), Lincoln Phillips (4, 16.7%), Pia Sundhage (3, 12.5%).
