[HALL OF FAME] Three three-time World Cup veterans Cobi Jones (1994-2002), Eddie Pope (1998-2006) and Earnie Stewart (1994-2002) were elected to the National Soccer Hall of Fame Class of 2011 on the Player ballot. Former U.S. national team forward Bruce Murray and former U.S. national team coach Bob Gansler were elected on the Veteran and Builder ballots, respectively.
 
Details on the Class of 2011 induction ceremony, which will likely be scheduled for this summer, will be announced at a later date.
 
Jones, the all-time U.S. cap leader, was named on 87 percent of the ballots, while Pope, who started in the middle of the U.S. backline at three World Cups, earned a spot on 74 percent of the ballots, and Stewart, who scored in the historic 2-0 win over Colombia in 1994, was named on 71 percent of the ballots.
 
The selection committee for the player election includes all current and former coaches of the U.S. men’s and women’s national team, active MLS and WPS coaches with a minimum of four years tenure, select soccer administrators, designated members of the media and all Hall of Famers.

Murray starred on the U.S. national team in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He was one of its scoring stars as it gained prominence.

Gansler coached the USA to the 1990 World Cup finalists, ending a 40-year drought. He later coached the Kansas City Wizards to the MLS Cup 2000 title.