“Sometimes success looks like this, collecting trophies,” began Mary Earps, “sometimes it’s just waking up and putting one step in front of the other. There’s only one of you in the world, and that’s more than good enough. Be unapologetically yourself.” These powerful words from the English goalkeeper, delivered while accepting the 2023 FIFA Best Women’s Goalkeeper award, may have touched the soccer world. But what many overlook is how they quietly echo the journeys of those who often go unseen, yet carry an outsized impact. The goalkeeper’s role, in particular, is one that frequently faces bias and underappreciation. And while USWNT legend Briana Scurry would likely agree, she can’t overlook her own kind of struggle she faced—one that went a step further, rooted in a deeper and more painful form of discrimination
Well, it dates back to the 1999 World Cup final. Yes, the American ladies’ second triumph in the prestigious tournament, where they defeated China in an emphatic penalty shootout following a stalemate end to the 90 minutes.
It was Scurry’s crucial save that saw the hosts win the shootout contest 5-4. But talk about injustice. “As a goalkeeper who saves a penalty kick versus a field player who takes the penalty kick, it’s a little bit different in particular about the order,” began the 53-year-old while speaking on the RE—INC podcast, co-hosted by USWNT veterans Christen Press and Tobin Heath. Well, this shouldn’t be a surprise.
In a battle between a goalie who’s a pen and a forward who nets the final kick, there’s always a difference in who gets called the hero of the game. Not to mention, Briana Scurry was seen by some as the villain of that final, with many criticizing her for stepping slightly off the line during her crucial save. The most ironic part? In the post-game interview, the focus was more on her “crossing the line” than on her actual achievement—saving the shot.
It wasn’t something the Minneapolis, Minnesota native minded—until the next moment when Scurry felt completely crushed. “After the game, when I watched the replay several weeks late, the camera showed me going up into the stands to meet my girlfriend. Then once the camera saw it was a female… cut away!” We repeat, “followed me all the way up and then cut away!”
Briana Scurry is a true icon.
We loved every second of you on The RE—CAP Show with Tobin Heath & Christen Press! pic.twitter.com/WtgVAjNisb
— re—inc (@re__inc) April 29, 2025
Throughout her career, Scurry felt it was because of the position she played that she didn’t see herself get as much accolade, press attention, sponsorships, or endorsement deals, compared to other girls who played outside the 18-yard box. However, the reason was completely different from what she anticipated. “It wasn’t until later on that I realized, no, it wasn’t about the goalkeeper at all; it was about either A—being a woman of color or B—being out and being gay,” admitted Briana.
Shocking, right? Well, so it was for the former Washington Freedom No. 1, who couldn’t be more disheartened over learning such a kind of discrimination. “The truth is, I was devastated when I realized what it was because I didn’t ever want to be that person that ever felt I was hindered in any way shape, or form because of that,” she added.
She eventually came to understand who was truly responsible for painting her in such a light. “It took me a while to realize that it wasn’t my issue; it was the media’s issue,” concluded Briana.
As if feeling sidelined for receiving less limelight as a goalkeeper wasn’t enough, Scurry’s race and sexuality only pushed her further, not just out of the public eye, but into a harsh, often negative one. While it’s unfortunate to hear this, the iconic goalkeeper didn’t let it overshadow her memories of the 1999 World Cup.
Briana Scurry unapologetically takes credit for USWNT success
It’s true that the 1991 World Cup victory is often seen as the moment the USWNT began to unlock its true potential. However, Briana Scurry thinks otherwise, insisting that it was the 1999 tournament that truly ignited the rise of women’s soccer in the United States. Bouncing back from their quarterfinal exit in 1995 was one challenge—but going the extra mile to rally fan support required a whole new level of effort from every player, and it was no easy task.
“The whole leadup to 99, we were essentially educating about our game, selling our game to our country — ‘Please come and watch us’ — for several years, we did that,” she said in the same podcast. But talk about their influence; their initial group stage win over Norway saw over 76,000 fans turn up at Giant Stadium, something that left the entire team emotional and even shedding tears.
That’s not all, 3/3 wins in the group stage, followed by a masterclass performance in the quarterfinals and semifinals only boosted Team USA’s confidence. What started as a tournament aimed at getting the USWNT to win over their home crowd quickly evolved into something far greater, culminating in a packed Rose Bowl Stadium in Los Angeles with over 90,000 fans for the final. Surely, a daunting atmosphere for any player to stay focused in.
But she did alright, Scurry. In fact, the former Atlanta Beat goalie takes pride in the crucial role she played in the semifinal, during which Brazil had put the USWNT’s defense through a grueling test. “I had done the majority of my job in the semifinal, getting us there,” she said, explaining that her other teammates weren’t at their “normal selves” and that she had to carry more than “1/11th” of the responsibility.
Well, this is the least that Briana Scurry has to reflect on her time with the USWNT. Other than that, it has been nothing but facing a lack of media recognition for reasons that are beyond deplorable.
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