The Soccer Hall and U.S. Soccer will host Induction 2011 presented by Eurosport at Showcase Live at Patriot Place at 12 p.m. in an invitation-only ceremony that will be followed by a reception for the new inductees, Hall of Famers, and invited guests. Current members of the Hall of Fame as well as the newly inducted class will be recognized on the field.
The trio elected on the player ballot has a wealth of experience with the U.S. Men and noteworthy club careers as well. Jones retired as the U.S. MNT all-time leading cap winner and long-time member of the Los Angeles Galaxy. Pope was a perennial anchor of the U.S. defense for nearly a decade and winner of three MLS Cups with D.C. United. Stewart is a three-time FIFA World Cup veteran.
Joining the players in this year’s class is Murray, a midfielder and forward who was one of the leading stars of the U.S. in the late 1980s and early 1990s who was elected on the Veteran ballot. Gansler, a coach of the U.S. at the 1990 World Cup and coach of the 2000 MLS Cup Champion Kansas City Wizards, was elected on the Builder ballot.
More than 40,000 tickets have been sold for the U.S. Men’s National Team’s match against reigning FIFA World Cup champion Spain. Kickoff for the match is 4:30 p.m. ET, and the match will be broadcast live on ESPN and Univision.
Established in 1950, the National Soccer Hall of Fame is dedicated to the sport of soccer in America by celebrating its history, preserving its legacy, inspiring its youth and honoring its heroes for generations to come.
Source: U.S. Soccer Federation, 1801 S. Prairie Ave, Chicago, IL.
Photo (U.S. Soccer Communication Center): Cobi Jones with 164 caps holds the record for most international appearances by a Men`s National Team player.