CHICAGO (AP) — Brian McBride and Kristine Lilly have been elected to the U.S. National Soccer Hall of Fame along with former men’s national team coach Bob Bradley.
McBride is a veteran of three World Cups and scored 30 goals in 95 international appearances from 1993-06. Lilly, a two-time Women’s World Cup champion and winner of two Olympic gold medals, scored 130 goals in an international record 352 appearances from 1987-10.
Bradley, elected Monday on the builder ballot, coached the U.S. to the second round of the 2010 World Cup and the title of the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup. He also coached the Chicago Fire, New York/New Jersey MetroStars and Chivas USA in Major League Soccer and Egypt’s national team. He currently is coaching the Norwegian club Stabaek.
Voting was done by all Hall of Famers, coaches, executives and media. The hall building in Oneonta, N.Y., closed in February 2010.
Morgan to miss Algarve Cup
CHICAGO (AP) — American forward Alex Morgan will miss the Algarve Cup next month because of an ankle injury that has sidelined her since the start of the year.
Midfielder Tobin Heath, who hasn’t appeared for the national team in about eight months, was among 24 players selected Monday by coach Tom Sermanni.
The Americans open the tournament in Portugal against Japan on March 5 in Parchal, face Sweden and former U.S. coach Pia Sundhage two days later in Albufeira and end the first round against Denmark on March 10, also in Albufeira. Sermanni will cut one player from the roster before the tournament.
The U.S. has won the tournament in nine of 18 previous trips.
Brazil: Fred in, Ronaldinho out
SAO PAULO (AP) — Striker Fred has been added to Brazil’s squad for its last friendly before the World Cup team is announced, and Ronaldinho remains unwanted. Striker Jo and goalkeeper Jefferson also were called up on Monday for the game against South Africa on March 5 at Soccer City in Johannesburg.
The 33-year-old Ronaldinho’s chances of making the World Cup are dwindling. Coach Luiz Felipe Scolari is expected to announce the team on May 7.
