ECLIPSE SELECT ALUMNA LESLIE OSBORNE AMONG HOF NOMINEES
In first year of eligibility, Brookfield, Wis., native and former midfielder among 33-player ballot
CHICAGO (May 27, 2017) – Former U.S. Women’s National Team defender Leslie Osborne, who played and coached with Eclipse Select Soccer Club, is among 33 nominees on the Player ballot for the 2017 National Soccer Hall of Fame voting, it was announced earlier this week.
The Brookfield, Wis., native is in her first year of eligibility after starring for the U.S. national team, earning 61 caps from 2004-09. She appeared in six games with the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup team. Osborne also spent the remainder of her professional career with the Chicago Red Stars.
“Having coached Leslie for a portion of her career at both the club and professional level, it’s fantastic that she is included among the player nominees for the National Soccer Hall of Fame,” Eclipse Select President and Chicago Red Stars Head Coach Rory Dames said. “She was a true leader on and off the field during her career and played a remarkable role in the growth of the women’s game. She will no doubt continue to serve at this capacity post-career moving forward.”
Osborne’s playing career also included several seasons with the Boston Breakers, and collegiately she starred at Santa Clara, where she won a 2001 NCAA championship and was a semifinalist for the Hermann Trophy during her 2014 senior season.
Osborne’s eligibility as a Player nominee requires the following stipulations: played in at least 20 full international games; or played in at least five seasons in an American first-division professional league and named to a postseason league All-Star team at least once.