Briana Scurry runs onto the field during the game against Russia during the Women's International Soccer League at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Md.
Goalie Briana Scurry, a two-time Olympic gold medalist and one of the first black players on the U.S. women’s national soccer team, has been named to the National Soccer Hall of Fame Class of 2017.
Dr. Joe Machnik also earned election on the Builder Ballot. Details for the induction ceremony have yet to be announced.
Scurry, one of the first openly LGBTQ soccer players, played every minute of every game in backstopping Team USA to Olympic gold medals in 1996 and 2004. She also played every minute in three FIFA Women’s World Cups, including the iconic 1999 final against China that came down to her final save in penalty kicks followed by Brandi Chastain’s epic World Cup-winning shot.
“I remember watching the Olympics on the couch with my parents at 8 years old, dreaming of becoming an Olympian myself,” Scurry said in the official Hall of Fame release. “It was with their help — and that of my coaches, teammates and countless others — that I was blessed to not only become an Olympian, but an Olympic and World Cup champion.”
A native of Anoka, Minnesota, and a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, Scurry joined the U.S. women’s team in 1994 and made 175 career appearances with 159 starts, earning a record of 133-12-14 with 72 shutouts.
“Soccer had already given me so much more than I could possibly give back,” she added. “Now, to be inducted alongside the likes of Michelle Akers, Mia Hamm and Kristine Lilly — I am truly humbled. And though my mother and father have passed, I can feel their pride swell. Thank you for letting me play for you, and thank you all for this incredible honor.”
Scurry retired from soccer as the most decorated U.S. women’s goalie after suffering a concussion in 2010. She is an advocate for concussion and traumatic brain injury awareness, and a motivational speaker.
Machnik was a player, coach, referee, instructor, match commissioner and now a broadcaster for Fox Sports. He was an assistant coach of the U.S. men’s team that broke a 40-year drought by making the 1990 World Cup.
Gary R. Blockus is a journalist from Allentown, Pennsylvania who has covered multiple Olympic Games. He is a freelance contributor to TeamUSA.org on behalf of Red Line Editorial, Inc.