SAN FRANCISCO – A trailblazer for American players in Europe. The most decorated women’s soccer player of all time. And one of the most successful US coaches of all time.
Three household names in the world of American soccer were recognized on Saturday evening, as Brian McBride, Kristine Lilly and Bob Bradley – the latter not in attendance because of his coaching commitments in Norway – were inducted into the US Soccer Hall of Fame, capping three careers that helped define the last two decades of both the men’s and women’s game in the United States.
“One of the best parts of my life has been witnessing the evolution of greatness and we are certainly in the presence of it here,” remarked former US women’s national team and longtime North Carolina head coach Anson Dorrance while introducing Lilly. “We would not have to be a silver-tongued advocate to persuade the room that this might be the most extraordinary induction class in US Soccer history, from arguably America’s finest coaches through our most fearless male player, to women’s soccer’s gilded lily, this will be an evening to remember and celebrate.”
The argument would not be difficult to make. McBride played in three World Cups and earned over 96 caps for the US men’s national team, where his 30 goals place him fourth on the all-time scoring charts. Bradley is one of the most successful coaches in US national team history and a pioneer for American managers abroad, while Lilly has played more international soccer games – 352, to be exact – than any other person in the world, winning two World Cups and two Olympic gold medals over a 23-year career.
Current LA Galaxy and former US men’s national team head coach Bruce Arena was also honored on the evening with the 2015 Werner C. Fricker Builder Award, rounding out the star power of the group honored.
In addition to his exploits for the national team, McBride found success in both MLS and Europe at the club level. He was the first pick in the inaugural MLS Draft in 1996 and spent eight seasons with the Columbus Crew before moving to Fulham in 2004, where he remains a fan favorite and was named the club’s Player of the Year in 2005 and 2006. He finished out his career with the Chicago Fire from 2008-2010, ending up with 80 goals and 52 assists over 220 regular-season appearances.
“It’s a great honor to be here,” McBride said to the assembled group after being inducted at the US Soccer Annual General Meeting's Anniversary dinner. “It’s an even greater honor, as everybody’s talked about, being a part of this class.”
Bradley has made significant contributions to soccer in the US over the past two decades. He made his mark first as head coach of the Princeton University men's team, before moving on to become head coach of the Chicago Fire, whom he led to the 1998 MLS Cup. After stops with New York and Chivas USA, he took over from his mentor Arena as manager of the US national team in 2006, and steered them to a Gold Cup victory in 2007, the finals of the 2009 Confederations Cup, and the round of 16 at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
In recent years, he has blazed a trail for American coaches abroad. He coached the Egyptian national team from 2011-2013, and is currently the head coach at Norwegian club Stabaek, whom he guided to 9th place in his first season in charge in 2014, the club's highest finish since 2009.
“Bob’s legacy [is one] of true commitment. His record shows for itself,” McBride said in his remarks. “He’s been someone that has been so influential on so many of the players. Having a chance to end my career in Chicago and being there and seeing tradition and honor, that’s him. He did that for the Fire and for the United States national team.”
Lilly, who retired from international duty in 2008, remains one of the iconic players of her generation. She holds the world record for international caps for men or women, having appeared in 352 matches for her country. She scored 130 goals for the USWNT and helped them to two World Cup titles and two Olympic Gold medals.
She and teammates such as Mia Hamm, Michele Akers, Brandi Chastain, and Julie Foudy became national heroes after their dramatic run to the championship at the 1999 Women’s World Cup, played here in the United States. In the final against China -- immortalized by Chastain's famous "sports-bra" moment -- Lilly made a crucial late play at the goal line and later converted her penalty in the shootout victory.
“We had so much fun doing what we were doing,” Lilly told MLSsoccer.com prior to the induction ceremony. “Obviously winning makes you happy, but we worked hard and we were young kids when we started and just playing to compete. We didn’t know what was going to take place as we continued to play, continued to win.
“We didn’t know we’d make a difference in women’s soccer, and that’s something, I think if you ask anyone, we’re really proud of.”
