Throughout February, Republic FC will honor different trailblazers and pioneers in the soccer community through Black History Month. Each week, a new profile will look at how Black men and women have contributed to the game we love, and how there is still more work to be done as a society.
Throughout February, Republic FC will honor different trailblazers and pioneers in the soccer community through Black History Month. Each week, a new profile will look at how Black men and women have contributed to the game we love, and how there is still more work to be done as a society.
One of soccer’s most famous moments – Brandi Chastain ripping off her jersey after she sent an entire nation into ecstasy with a World Cup winning penalty kick – would never have been possible without the heroics of Briana Scurry.
1999 was the year that changed the way America looked at soccer – specifically the Women’s game where an entire nation fell head over heels for the team who lifted the coveted trophy after a remarkable run.
Arguably one of the most talented goalkeepers in the history of the women’s game, Scurry won two Olympic gold medals manning the net for the USWNT and also has a FIFA Women’s World Cup trophy to her name.
One of soccer’s most famous moments – Brandi Chastain ripping off her jersey after she sent an entire nation into ecstasy with a World Cup winning penalty kick – would never have been possible without the heroics of Briana Scurry.
1999 was the year that changed the way America looked at soccer – specifically the Women’s game where an entire nation fell head over heels for the team who lifted the coveted trophy after a remarkable run.
Arguably one of the most talented goalkeepers in the history of the women’s game, Scurry won two Olympic gold medals manning the net for the USWNT and also has a FIFA Women’s World Cup trophy to her name.
A reliable rock between the pipes for the USWNT from 1994 to 2008, she collected over 170 national team caps, nearly 160 starts, over 130 wins and more than 70 clean sheets over her accomplished career on the international stage. She also anchored a nearly impenetrable defense in the first Women’s Tournament in the history of the Olympics during the 1996 games in Atlanta.
A reliable rock between the pipes for the USWNT from 1994 to 2008, she collected over 170 national team caps, nearly 160 starts, over 130 wins and more than 70 clean sheets over her accomplished career on the international stage. She also anchored a nearly impenetrable defense in the first Women’s Tournament in the history of the Olympics during the 1996 games in Atlanta.
But perhaps the cherry on top of her accomplished and decorated career was on March 11, 2016 when it was announced that because of “Scurry’s impact on the legacy of the U.S. Women’s National Team program and contributions on the field,” she would become a permanent fixture of the National Museum of African-American History & Culture’s Title IX exhibit."
It's there in the National Museum of African-American History & Culture where her goalie gloves from the 2004 Olympics rest for all to see.
But perhaps the cherry on top of her accomplished and decorated career was on March 11, 2016 when it was announced that because of “Scurry’s impact on the legacy of the U.S. Women’s National Team program and contributions on the field,” she would become a permanent fixture of the National Museum of African-American History & Culture’s Title IX exhibit.”
It’s there in the National Museum of African-American History & Culture where her goalie gloves from the 2004 Olympics rest for all to see.
But wins and trophies aside, what makes Scurry such a celebrated trailblazer to the global game is that the sure-handed shot-stopper was the first Black woman to enter the U.S Soccer Hall of Fame. She’s also the very-first female goalkeeper honored to join the exclusive soccer group.
Nowadays, she’s far from finished inspiring others as she continues to be a beacon of positivity and perseverance. Scurry might not be strapping on the goalie gloves anymore, but she’s spending her time speaking to others about head trauma and concussion awareness and she’s also a tremendous advocate for the LGBT community.
Scurry – who grew up just outside of Minneapolis, Minnesota – was an All-American during her impressive college career at the University of Massachusetts where she was named the Collegiate Goalkeeper of the Year twice as well as the National Goalkeeper of the Year by the Missouri Adidas Athletic Club in 1993.
Following a decorated career at UMass, Scurry played for the Atlanta Beat and won two titles before joining the Washington Freedom. The Beat competed in the Women’s United Soccer Association – the first women’s soccer league in the world that paid each of its players as professionals. In 2003, she was named the WUSA Goalkeeper of the Year.
But wins and trophies aside, what makes Scurry such a celebrated trailblazer to the global game is that the sure-handed shot-stopper was the first Black woman to enter the U.S Soccer Hall of Fame. She’s also the very-first female goalkeeper honored to join the exclusive soccer group.
Nowadays, she’s far from finished inspiring others as she continues to be a beacon of positivity and perseverance. Scurry might not be strapping on the goalie gloves anymore, but she’s spending her time speaking to others about head trauma and concussion awareness and she’s also a tremendous advocate for the LGBT community.
Scurry – who grew up just outside of Minneapolis, Minnesota – was an All-American during her impressive college career at the University of Massachusetts where she was named the Collegiate Goalkeeper of the Year twice as well as the National Goalkeeper of the Year by the Missouri Adidas Athletic Club in 1993.
Following a decorated career at UMass, Scurry played for the Atlanta Beat and won two titles before joining the Washington Freedom. The Beat competed in the Women’s United Soccer Association – the first women’s soccer league in the world that paid each of its players as professionals. In 2003, she was named the WUSA Goalkeeper of the Year.
The WUSA lasted until 2003 and it was a pivotal player in paving the way for women’s professional leagues today, most notably the NWSL. Talented stars like Scurry opened the doors for women to make money playing pro soccer, and by showcasing her skills on the professional and international stages, she directly helped to fuel the fire behind the passionate growth of the USWNT.
The WUSA lasted until 2003 and it was a pivotal player in paving the way for women’s professional leagues today, most notably the NWSL. Talented stars like Scurry opened the doors for women to make money playing pro soccer, and by showcasing her skills on the professional and international stages, she directly helped to fuel the fire behind the passionate growth of the USWNT.
“I grew up watching her on the National Team and that’s who I wanted to be when I was a kid,” Adrianna French said glowingly about her hero, Brianna Scurry, in a U.S. Soccer article in 2019. “When I was little, the U.S. team came to Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City and I was able to go in connection with ODP. I gave her a high five on her way out of the field and I was like, ‘I’m never washing this hand again!’.”
That’s the kind of impact Brianna Scurry had on young players, and how even the little things she did on and off the pitch will have an everlasting effect on those who have been lucky enough to be in her presence.
Whether it was high school, college or the pro level, everywhere Scurry has laced up her boots and strapped on the goalie gloves, she’s been a proven winner, admirable leader and fierce competitor.
“I grew up watching her on the National Team and that’s who I wanted to be when I was a kid,” Adrianna French said glowingly about her hero, Brianna Scurry, in a U.S. Soccer article in 2019. “When I was little, the U.S. team came to Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City and I was able to go in connection with ODP. I gave her a high five on her way out of the field and I was like, ‘I’m never washing this hand again!’.”
That’s the kind of impact Brianna Scurry had on young players, and how even the little things she did on and off the pitch will have an everlasting effect on those who have been lucky enough to be in her presence.
Whether it was high school, college or the pro level, everywhere Scurry has laced up her boots and strapped on the goalie gloves, she’s been a proven winner, admirable leader and fierce competitor.
But it was her heroics in the 1999 Women’s World Cup Final against China that propelled her to the status of legend. Her penalty save deep in the pulsating shootout was one of the most memorable moments in U.S. soccer history – and it was immediately followed by Brandi Chastain’s famous kit-ripping goal celebration that sealed the win for the Stars and Stripes.
But it was her heroics in the 1999 Women’s World Cup Final against China that propelled her to the status of legend. Her penalty save deep in the pulsating shootout was one of the most memorable moments in U.S. soccer history – and it was immediately followed by Brandi Chastain’s famous kit-ripping goal celebration that sealed the win for the Stars and Stripes.
The goal would not have been such an iconic moment in soccer history, had it not been for Scurry’s sensational diving stop.
“You always knew going into a penalty shootout that Bri was going to save one,” Julie Foudy said of Scurry in a U.S. Soccer article from 2018. “So, going into that one in 1999, it’s not just any penalty shootout, it’s to win a World Cup. We always felt like, ‘Bri’s got one, we just have to do our jobs because she’s going to come up with a big save. This is what she does.’”
The goal would not have been such an iconic moment in soccer history, had it not been for Scurry’s sensational diving stop.
“You always knew going into a penalty shootout that Bri was going to save one,” Julie Foudy said of Scurry in a U.S. Soccer article from 2018. “So, going into that one in 1999, it’s not just any penalty shootout, it’s to win a World Cup. We always felt like, ‘Bri’s got one, we just have to do our jobs because she’s going to come up with a big save. This is what she does.’”
She was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2018 – class of 2017 – but it was that unforgettable afternoon in 1999 on Independence Day and the famous phrase – “Save, Scurry!” – that will ring in the ears of U.S. soccer fans until the end of time.
Because of that, her name will forever be synonymous with greatness.
She was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2018 – class of 2017 – but it was that unforgettable afternoon in 1999 on Independence Day and the famous phrase – “Save, Scurry!” – that will ring in the ears of U.S. soccer fans until the end of time.
Because of that, her name will forever be synonymous with greatness.
