Exclusive Eurosport Interview with Briana Scurry

 Though she has won an Olympic Gold Medal, earned more than 75 international caps, and is the most accomplished goalkeeper in the history of U.S. Women's soccer, there is one more honor Briana Scurry would like to achieve. In 1995, she and her teammates were upset in the semi-finals of the Women's World Cup and wound up finishing third. If the U.S. team takes this summer's Women's World Cup title, it would be the crowning moment of Briana's already spectacular career. A native of Anoka, Minnesota, Briana was a high school All-American. Recruited by many colleges, she chose the University of Massachusetts where, in 1993, she helped lead her team to an Atlantic 10 Conference title and to the semifinals of the NCAA tournament. A second-team All-American that same year, she was named National Goalkeeper of the Year by the Missouri Athletic Club. Briana made her international debut in March of 1994 and in 1995 was the starting goalkeeper at the Women's World Cup. At the 1996 Olympic Games, she conceded only three goals in five games and she and her victorious teammates took home gold medals. We caught up with Briana while she was at training camp with the U.S team and had a chance to ask her a few questions.

You were also a talented basketball player growing up. How did you get involved in soccer and was there a moment when you decided to concentrate on it?
I decided to get involved in soccer in the same way I got involved in every other sport. There were fliers going around in 4th grade and soccer was one of them, so I took it home to mom and dad and asked if I could play. They said yes and that first year I played on an all boys team in goal (they thought it would be safer for me to be in the goal). The next three years I played on an all girls team on the field, then returned to the goal again where I've stayed, for the most part, until now. I decided to focus on soccer after high school, because I figured I was a better goalkeeper then a basketball player, although I liked basketball better. I wanted to also play basketball in college but my coach didn't really approve so that was that.

It is a tremendous honor to be chosen to represent you country. Describe what it was like the first time you walked out onto the field wearing the jersey of the United States.
The first time I wore the jersey was in Portugal. I was very nervous but Carla Overbeck told me I belonged in the goal and that I belonged on the team. That made me feel awesome to hear her say that to me. I got a shutout my first game.

What kind of impact do you see the Women's World Cup having on women's soccer in the United States? If it is successful (and if the huge crowds at the Olympics are any indication, it will be) what do you think the chances will be for a women's professional league?
The women's world cup is going to catapult women's soccer to the forefront of women's sports. It's going to be a breakthrough event and is going to shed a new light on what can be done with women's sports and soccer in particular. I think a women's league is definitely in the works and has a great chance to be successful. Our success in the World Cup will play a big part in that.

What would you say is the greatest reward the game of soccer has given you? The greatest reward from playing on the national team has been all of the wonderful experiences I've had and the valuable life lessons I've learned. Teamwork, time management, leadership, and how to be successful are all things that will help me in my life after I'm done with the game.

What advice would you give to young players who are serious about soccer?
If you are serious about soccer or anything else you should just go for it, find your passion, and achieve greatness in whatever that may be.

And finally, you stated you would run through the streets of Athens, GA naked if the U.S. won the Olympic gold and then you followed through with this pledge. Are you willing to make another vow for winning the Women's World Cup?
Running through the streets naked was a once in a lifetime thing, like winning an Olympic Gold Medal. Although winning the World Cup would be awesome there will not be another run.