Former Red Bull New York striker Jozy Altidore was named among a six-member class to be inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2027.
Altidore will be joined by David Beckham, Julie Johnston Ertz, Lothar Osiander, Megan Rapinoe and Tatu when the 2027 class is inducted at a private ceremony at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, on April 16, 2027.
Back in September 2006, Altidore took his first steps in Major League Soccer as a 16-year-old Red Bull New York rookie. After scoring 15 goals across 37 MLS matches for the Red Bulls, his progress earned him a move to La Liga side Villarreal, and thus began a long career across several European clubs.
When Altidore returned to the MLS stage in 2015, longtime U.S. men’s national team teammate Michael Bradley played a major role in convincing him to join Toronto FC. Together, they won the MLS Cup and Supporters’ Shield for Toronto in 2017.
Bradley Delighted to See Altidore Earn Hall of Fame Honor
Bradley, who just completed his first MLS season as head coach of Red Bull New York, shared his delight after Altidore was selected to the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.
“I’m really, really excited for Jozy,” Bradley said during Friday’s press conference at RWJBarnabas Health Red Bulls Performance Center in Morris Township, N.J. “It’s a huge honor. It’s one that he deserves in the biggest way.
“We shared a lot of big days together as teammates with the national team and Toronto. I was able to see up close, firsthand how good of a player Jozy was and how strong of a competitor he was. You wanted him there when the lights came on, on the biggest stage.”
As for Bradley, he will have to wait for his call to the Hall. Despite receiving 89.6 percent of the vote, a crowded field of outstanding candidates prevented him from being part of the 2027 class.
Marshall-Rutty Credits Altidore for His Impact on His Career
Red Bull New York defender Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty, who began his MLS career in 2020 with Toronto FC, appreciated the impact that Altidore made on his career.
“Jozy is obviously a legend,” Marshall-Rutty told South Ward Central on Friday during a pitchside interview. “He obviously meant a lot to me when I was growing up in the TFC Academy. I looked up to players like him.
The 22-year-old recalled the impact that Altidore made on him as a teenager. Marshall-Rutty came through Toronto’s academy and made his MLS debut at age 16. He shared parts of two seasons alongside Altidore in Toronto’s first team.
“He’s a great guy off the field as well. He helped me so much in my young career in Toronto. I only have great things to say about him – what a guy, what a legend, what a player.”
“He deserves everything that’s coming to him. Obviously, what a striker he was for the U.S. He brought them a lot of good moments. I’m super happy for him. It’s well deserved, and I’m happy that I got to share the field with him.”
Red Bull New York will close out the 2026 campaign with a postseason friendly against Club América at Sports Illustrated Stadium on Saturday, November 14, at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
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