Three Are Selected for National Hall of Fame

Vladislav “Bogie” Bogicevic, Shannon Higgins-Cirovski and Adolph Bachmeier were selected Monday for induction into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in Oneonta, N.Y.

The three, all midfielders, represent different eras in U.S. soccer history.

Bogicevic, a Yugoslav international who is coaching that country’s national team, was a star with the Cosmos of the North American Soccer League in the 1970s and 1980s.

Higgins-Cirovski, the women’s coach at the University of Maryland, was a standout midfielder for the U.S. women’s team in the 1980s and early 1990s. She was the playmaker for the U.S. team that won the world championship in 1991.

Bachmeier captained the U.S. team during the difficult building period of the 1960s and 1970s, playing in 22 matches. He also played for professional teams in Chicago.

Induction ceremonies are Oct. 14.

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Argentine forward Ariel Ortega signed a four-year contract to play for Fenerbahce, a club team in Istanbul, Turkey.

There was no information on the 28-year-old’s transfer fee, but his former club, Argentina’s River Plate, has said it had sold him for $5 million. River was to receive only $2 million, because part of Ortega’s transfer rights are owned by his former club, Parma of Italy.

“With all my heart, I want to stay here for four years and be successful,” said Ortega, who was part of Argentina’s World Cup team.

Fenerbahce finished second last season behind rival Galatasaray and will compete in the Champions League next season.

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Veteran French forward Christophe Dugarry says he will no longer play for France’s national team and instead will concentrate on his club career.

Dugarry, capped 55 times and a member of the team that won the 1998 World Cup, told the French sports newspaper L’Equipe that he was tired of his continuing unpopularity with French soccer fans.

“I’ve always had to battle. I’ve always had to confront great pressure from the media, as well as from the public,” he said in the interview published Monday.

The 30-year-old Bordeaux captain said he expects to play another three years.