Wheeler alum Linda Hamilton inducted into National Soccer Hall of Fame

The National Soccer Hall of Fame inducted its six newest members Saturday at Frisco, Texas, including former U.S. men’s national team member Clint Dempsey.

Also inducted was longtime U.S. women’s national team member Shannon Boxx, along with Linda Hamilton and Christie Pearce Rampone. The group also included three-time MLS champion Marco Etcheverry along with MLS and FIFA international referee Esse Baharmast.

Longtime USWNT goalie Hope Solo also was named to the Hall of Fame earlier this year but elected to delay her induction to 2023. Solo was arrested on a drunken-driving charge March 31 in North Carolina and said late last month she was entering an alcohol treatment program.

Dempsey played in 141 teams with the USMNT and was the first player to score for the squad in three World Cups: 2006, 2010, 2014.

Dempsey, 39, made his MLS debut in 2004 with the New England Revolution and scored 25 goals in 71 appearances over three seasons with the club. He moved to England where he scored 50 goals in 189 games with Fulham (2007-12) and seven more goals in 29 games with Tottenham Hotspur (2012-13).

Dempsey returned to MLS in 2013 and scored 47 goals in 115 games with the Seattle Sounders (2013-18).

Boxx, 44, scored 27 goals in 195 appearances with the USWNT as a defensive midfielder. Boxx won three goals medals and participated in four World Cups.

Hamilton, 52, who was elected on the veteran ballot, played 71 games for the USWNT from 1987-95.

Pearce Rampone, 46, played 311 games for the USWNT and appeared in five World Cups and four Olympics.

Etcheverry, 51, is a native of Bolivia who was an original member of D.C. United and played with the club for eight seasons. He helped the club to MLS Cup titles in 1996, 1997 and 1999.

Baharmast, 68, was the referee for the first ever MLS game in 1996 and also was a referee for two 1998 World Cup games at France.

Solo, 40, made 202 appearances as goalkeeper with the USWNT and appeared in three World Cups. The Seattle-area native also made three appearances in the Olympics. The USWNT won one World Cup and two goals medals with Solo in goal.