Two men with longstanding ties to MLS and American soccer, Brian McBride and Bob Bradley, have been honored for their contributions to the sport.
U.S. Soccer announced Monday that McBride and former USWNT midfielder Kristine Lilly have been elected to the National Soccer Hall of Fame, while Bradley has also been elected on the Builder Ballot.
McBride (above) started his professional career in MLS with the Columbus Crew, playing with them from 1996-2003, winning a US Open Cup with the Crew during that stretch. After a successful stint in England with Preston North End, Everton, and Fulham, where he was eventually named captain, McBride returned to MLS in 2008, playing with the Chicago Fire until 2010.
Internationally, McBride earned 95 caps with the USMNT, scoring 30 goals. He was a member of three World Cup squads, 1998, 2002, and 2006, and won the 2002 CONCACAF Gold Cup with the US.
"It's such an honor to be part of this select group," said McBride in a statement. "My first reaction after hearing about this was I got chills. For me, it's not something you think about while playing. I'm just honored to be thought of in this light by my peers and the press."
Bradley has been coach of three MLS teams during his career. With the Chicago Fire from 1998-2002, he took them to an MLS Cup title and US Open Cup in 1998, followed up with another Open Cup in 2002. He also coached the MetroStars from 2003-05, and Chivas USA in 2006, before coaching the US national team 2007-11.
Under Bradley, the US won the the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup title, made the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup final and earned a first-place finish in Group C at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Following a stint as head coach of the Egyptian national team, he is currently coaching Stabaek in Norway.
"The game has grown tremendously in the United States through the efforts of a great number of people, and I have always respected those who have given so much to move the sport forward," said Bradley in a statement. "Many of them have been recognized in the National Soccer Hall of Fame, and I am honored to be included."
