Right now, going into today's World Cup semifinal against Brazil, regular Jane might be the most important player on the U.S. team.
For a group that isn't supposed to have any weaknesses, the United States women's national team has looked surprisingly shaky in the back at times. We've seen collisions between defenders, opposing forwards running loose, dangerous back headers and back passes, even an own goal.
But Scurry, the 27-year-old keeper, a six-year national team veteran, has consistently remained cool back there, manning the goal line. Even when U.S. defender Brandi Chastain pushed a shot past her for that own goal Thursday night against Germany, Scurry didn't rant and rave.
Throughout this tournament, she has been in the right position. Opposing shooters finding an opening in the U.S. defense often get off a shot only to find Scurry waiting, barely needing to move to make the save. And when she had to get off her feet a few times against North Korea, she was up to the challenge, once knocking away a couple of point-blank shots in one sequence.
``In my opinion - I'm trying to be as objective as possible, and that's difficult - I think she's the best goalkeeper in this tournament,'' coach Tony DiCicco said.
* Scurry will be the only African American starter for the U.S. team today. She's used to it.
``I've always been very comfortable being the only one, probably because I've always been the only one,'' Scurry said. ``Ever since we moved out to Dayton, Minn., when I was 6 years old. The town was entirely white, completely and utterly. We were the only black family in a three- or four-town radius.''
Her parents were just looking for a house that would stay on its foundation. Before Scurry was born, her family moved from Huntsville, Texas, to Minneapolis after a hurricane demolished their home. Then another calamity forced another move. They picked up from Minneapolis to Dayton, 25 miles away, when their house starting sinking.
