Briana Scurry was the first African-American woman player and goalkeeper to be inducted at the US National Soccer Hall of Fame? ⚽️
This is partially a reflection of the shorter history of women’s soccer in USA (first team in 1985) but this is also a reflection of the lack of diversity in the game, something that has only recently begun to be corrected with increased participation by black players at all levels. Once the only black woman, Briana helped pave the way for young black girls to envision themselves as top-level players who could one day represent their country or have a professional career. She is most well-known for making a crucial stop during the deciding penalties in the 1999 World Cup final against China, allowing the United States to ultimately win. She has also played in three World Cups and two Olympics (both resulting in gold medals) and was a founding member of the Women’s United Soccer Association.
She retired in 2010 with 175 caps and 72 career shutouts.