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Scurry In New Wave Of Women's Soccer

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By BILL WARD

wward@tampatrib.com

Published: November 8, 2008

TAMPA - The next generation of players on the U.S. women's national team has officially arrived. Without anyone named Mia, Brandi or Joy, this new group won an Olympic gold medal in the Beijing Games.

Led by players such as Angela Hucles, Shannon Boxx and Christie Rampone, this group of American soccer stars will celebrate their achievement when they bring the "Achieve Your Gold Tour" to Raymond James Stadium for an exhibition match tonight at 7 against South Korea.

There is, however, a familiar face in that bunch: goalkeeper Briana Scurry. Now 37, she has been part of three World Cup and three Olympic squads. She was an alternate on this year's Beijing Games team, but as the No. 3 goalie, still joined the team in China. And of course, Scurry played all three years of the Women's United Soccer Association before the league ceased operations in 2003.

And here she is, still looking fit and cat-like between the pipes for the U.S. team and flashing that unmistakable smile of hers. Scurry might be the backup keeper, but in her mind, she still has plenty left to offer.

"I feel as good as I felt in 2004, when I had what I thought was my best year and was as fit as I had ever been," said Scurry, who with the absence of starter Hope Solo due to a family emergency, should play a half of tonight's match. "I was incredibly fit this year as well, have more experience and I still feel like I can contribute to this team."

And Scurry believes she has something to contribute to the new league slated to launch in April, Women's Professional Soccer. Currently based in Redondo Beach, Calif., she hopes to latch on with a WPS team on the East Coast of the United States and play the game until ... well, Scurry says she will know when it's time to hang up her boots.

"I'm going until I feel in my heart I'm done and not a minute sooner," Scurry said. "I want to help this new league get off to a good start and as someone who played in WUSA, that's important to me."

U.S. coach Pia Sundhage, who took over the women's team in 2007, says goalkeepers today need to be athletic, good with the ball at their feet and good distributors of the ball. The days of simply playing the ball back to the keeper and picking it up are over. That's one reason why Solo, who in college was a striker in high school, is Sundhage's starter.

But Sundhage says Scurry is, in her opinion, still one of this country's best goalies and despite her age, is still looking to improve.

"She wants to get better and that's what I want from players," Sundhage said. "And you know, you need goalkeepers like her that improve the game overall."

Scurry knows she can still do that. If she didn't believe it, she would be doing something else.

"I feel I'm still playing at a high level and I still work hard at playing at this level," Scurry said. "I may need a little more rest these days, but I feel I still have something to give to the game."

Reporter Bill Ward can be reached at (813) 259-7456.

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