AMSTERDAM – AZ Alkmaar technical director Earnie Stewart says he was feeling as modest and grateful as ever after beng informed of his National Soccer Hall of Fame inclusion on Monday.
The longtime US national team star will be enshrined alongside former US coach Bob Gansler and former international teammates Cobi Jones, Bruce Murray and Eddie Pope. For the 42-year-old, it was a momentous bit of news with great timing.
"I was called by [USSF president] Sunil Gulati on my birthday," Stewart told MLSsoccer.com from Alkmaar. "It was a pretty nice birthday gift. I'm honored. That's probably the best word. I'm just humbled and honored to be a part of US Soccer history."
Stewart says being inducted into the Hall this summer will be made extra special by the presence of his four fellow honorees.
"Bob Gansler was the first coach to select me for the US national team," he recalled. "Cobi was my roommate for I don't know how long – probably for 75 to 80 of my 101 [caps]. And Eddie Pope was a defender I have a lot of respect for and who I played a lot of games with – it's fantastic."
Stewart both started and ended his playing career with Dutch mites VVV Venlo, but started making his name in the Eredivisie with Willem II and NAC Breda. The Veghel, Netherlands, native later played two seasons in America with D.C. United, winning the 2004 MLS Cup.
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