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Chat Reel: Briana Scurry
Atlanta Beat player looks forward to life in the WUSA
Posted: Wednesday November 15, 2000 7:17 PM
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Briana Scurry loves Atlanta -- and prefers outdoor soccer to indoor soccer. Doug Pensinger/Allsport |
CNNSI Host: Welcome to CNNSI.com's chat with Briana Scurry. Welcome Briana!
Briana Scurry: Thanks.
From uswntfreak1208: Bri, are you looking forward to playing with Cindy Parlow, Nikki Serlenga, Charmaine Hooper, and Homare Sawa in the upcoming WUSA season?
Briana Scurry: I'm very excited! A) to get back in the game again and B) to play with these wonderful people again from Canada and Japan. I think we're going to have a really strong team this year.
From Leela in West Warwick, R.I.: I remember you saying something about trying something new after the Olympics. Does that mean you will be retiring soon? Please say no! :)
Briana Scurry: (Laughs) No, doesn't mean that. What I meant was that I was considering playing in the WNBA, but since the WUSA has become a reality, my plans have changed.
From Yvonne in Georgia: Deion Sanders played both professional baseball and football at the same time. You think you could do the same with soccer and basketball?
Briana Scurry: Well, unfortunately, the leagues overlap so that's why it wouldn't be possible, though it would be interesting.
From Laura in Jonesboro, Ark.: Do you think that the new WUSA league will dilute the talent on the National Team, or do you think that it will actually help the team? By the way, I think you are awesome!
Briana Scurry: Thank you for the compliment! I wholeheartedly believe it will increase the talent because I think players that maybe did not get a chance or a look to be on a national team would not get that opportunity. And it will make the present players, including myself, stronger.
From Scott Fergus in Philadelphia, Pa.: Would you like to see your old college coach and the coach of several other WUSA players, Jim Rudy, coaching in the WUSA next season?
Briana Scurry: Yes, I would love that. I think Jim Rudy is one of the best coaches around. I always have felt that way. Any team that would have him as a coach would be very fortunate. However, Tom Stone is the man.
From Jenn in Mass.: It must have been hard for you to go from being the best goalie in the world after the WWC, then to getting your position taken over by Siri. How did you maintain your confidence? Were you, or have you ever, felt jealousy towards her? Personally, you both rock!
Briana Scurry: Well thank you for that compliment! Unfortunately for me, I sustained an injury at a critical time in the season and my rehab wasn't as quick as I had hoped. By then, April, my head coach, had made her decision to go with Siri. As far as jealousy, I have all the confidence in the world in my own ability, and even though I wasn't on the field, I still feel in my heart that I'm the best. And I will prove that next season in Atlanta.
From Chuck Friedman in Neenah, Wisc.: All of the WUSA franchises are either on the West Coast or the East Coast. The entire middle section of the country (including me, here in Wisconsin) has no franchise anywhere nearby. As much as I would like to go to some WUSA games next year, I won't be able to! Why has the league frozen out such a large portion of the country?
Briana Scurry: They based franchise locations on many different elements, although I think places like St. Louis and Chicago would be great venues. They did not get teams for the first year, but it doesn't mean they won't be expansion cities in the years to come.
From Maria: Are you ever "freaked out" at how much fans know about you and your teammates?
Briana Scurry: Sometimes! (laughs) Sometimes it's a little interesting to know that complete strangers know certain things about certain players. But it all goes along with the spotlight and the fame. It's just something that goes with the job description.
From Sherry Ellison in Atlanta, Ga.: What is the Women's Soccer Challenge? I heard it's coming to Atlanta this week. How do I buy tickets?
Briana Scurry: The Women's Soccer Challenge is the World Cup team and the Olympic team playing indoor soccer against the best players from around the world. We are going to be in Atlanta on November 19th at Phillips Arena at 6:00 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at Ticketmaster and ya better get 'em now cuz they're going fast!
From Bri: Do you like indoor soccer as much as outdoor? I know it's a totally different game. What aspects do you like better and which don't you like as much?
Briana Scurry: I definitely like outdoor soccer better. The whole idea of ... I like a large goal, so I can do my thing. There's a lot more tactical aspects to the outdoor game as well. However as far as excitement for the fans goes, you can't beat the indoor game Lots of scoring and other interesting things happen indoors It can be a very humbling experience for a goal keeper
From Katchie Heduan in Durham, U.K.: I've got British University trials next week. How do you suggest I combat my nerves whilst in goal? It's lonely being the last line of defense.
Briana Scurry: I, over the years, try to use nervousness as a tool to help me play. I try not so much to worry about being the last line of defense, I try to stay in my game and I make the plays I can make, and a few of the ones I shouldn't, and deep breathing -- that also helps.
From uswntfreak1208: What is the weirdest/funniest thing a fan has ever done for you or a teammate of yours?
Briana Scurry: We've had fans follow us after practice. In the World Cup last year, we had a girl follow the bus. She must have ran a half mile and we were so impressed by her diligence that we signed a pair of shoes, got out of the bus and gave them to her!
From Gamesy: Do you think the Celtics have a chance in making the playoffs?
Briana Scurry: (Laughs) Unfortunately, I have not seen a single basketball game all year so I have no idea.
From Ross J.: What are you most looking forward to about playing soccer in Atlanta?
Briana Scurry: I am looking forward to it. I've always liked Atlanta. I love the city. I'm looking forward to something new, getting involved in the community, being able to play professionally and be a part of something that is home-grown -- great soccer fans in Atlanta too. I'm excited to see how our support pans out. I'm sure it will do well.
From Beth in Albany, N.Y.: Hey Briana! Congratulations on such a great career! How do you mentally prepare yourself for any game, especially a big game like the World Cup? And also for shootouts? Good Luck with the WUSA and the USWNT!
Briana Scurry: I'm not real superstitious. I just try to relax and be loose in the locker room and just focus on what I need to do for that game. And I just basically let everything happen. As far as incredibly huge moments like in the World Cup, I have to say that during that shootout... I experienced an almost indescribable calmness during that situation. Many people asked me about it. All I can say is that I always believed I would make at least one save. I guess you can call that being "in the zone" or divine intervention or whatever you want to call it.
From Kelsey Christianson in Lake Mills, Iowa: Are you excited for the games to start? How will it feel to be playing against your teammates?
Briana Scurry: (Laughs) I'm very excited to think that we have great support in Atlanta. We will do really well. We have great players. Already I have to say it's gonna be interesting seeing friends like Mia Hamm and Tiffany Milbrett come roaring at me a thousand miles an hour. It will be fun and competitive... just like practice and I hope I stuff 'em every single time they come after me!
From Maria: Bri- Do you get tons of fan mail? What do you do with the things fans send you? Do you write back to them?
Briana Scurry: Yes, I get tons of fan mail. Unfortunately they give it to me five or six months after they send it. That's the big problem. I try to respond as soon as I can. One piece of mail from the '96 Olympics didn't get to me until 1998. That won't happen in Atlanta though!
From Angie: Indoor is a "humbling experience" for goalkeepers in your words. Why? All the goals scored?
Briana Scurry: Yeah, there are a lotta goals scored and there are constant scorers coming at you from three yards away. It can be also exhilarating if you have a good game.
From Andrea: Which team do you think will win this year's Women's College Cup?
Briana Scurry: Oh, Women's College Cup! I hafta say I've always been a Notre Dame fan. I hope they have a great shot at it this year.
From uswntfreak1208: Do you think that playing goalkeeper is harder than playing on the field, or vice versa?
Briana Scurry: I think playing in the field is more difficult physically, but playing in the goal is an incredible mental advantage. There are a million things you have to process at the same time when the play is happening in front of you. Part of the battle is getting over the fact that goals will be scored, but you still have to be strong the rest of the game so the players don't have to worry about that as much.
CNNSI Host: That's all the time we have today with Briana Scurry. Thanks for joining us and good luck in the WUSA.
Briana Scurry: Thank you very much!
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