2011 FIFA Women's World Cup: Brianna Scurry's Take on the Competition
The 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup is only days away, and the USA Women's National Team, under manager Pia Sundhage, are looking to challenge the likes of Germany, Brazil and North Korea for the richest prize in the women's game.
Ahead of the USA's final World Cup tuneup against Mexico, Bleacher Report's Jo-Ryan Salazar talked with former Women's National Team goalkeeper Brianna Scurry on the contenders, pretenders and players to watch.
The USA...a Major Contender for the Crown
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One of the favorites to lift the Women's World Cup trophy at the Commerzbank-Arena in Frankfurt, Germany, on July 17 are, of course, the United States.
"I feel that this year’s World Cup team is a team that’s…interesting," Scurry said. "I will phrase it this way: it could be possibly one of the greatest teams ever if they are in it together and persevere under incredibly difficult circumstances."
An impressive home-field advantage for Germany is what awaits the Red, White and Blue when they begin group play on June 28 against North Korea at the Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion in Dresden. The USA will then take on Colombia on July 2 at Sinsheim's Rhein-Neckar-Arena before closing group play against Sweden on July 6 at the Volkswagen-Arena in Wolfsburg.
Still, the sky is the limit for this USA outfit.
"It’s not an easy thing to do: to go into a country like Germany and win a World Cup over the reigning champions," Scurry said. "Since many teams, to be completely honest, can’t do that—to go into Germany and win that World Cup championship—I think if the USA can do that, then they will be heralded, in my opinion, as one of the greatest teams to attempt to do that. Because it is not an easy task: to go into hostile territory and win the World Cup."
Germany: Mistresses of Home-Field Advantage?
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Silvia Neid's team are no pushover. In fact, defending champions Germany have an excellent chance to defend their home turf.
"I feel that Germany is not a heavy favorite, but definitely a favorite for several reasons," Scurry argued.
Well, actually, two big ones.
"One: they’re the reigning champions," Scurry remarked. "Two: they’re a passing team, incredibly organized. I agree that they have that home-field advantage that I think people underestimate. Having the energy of 75,000 people wanting to see what they’re trying to do…is an incredible force...I would think that they definitely are a favorite for that."
Germany open their FIFA Women's World Cup defense on June 26 against Canada at the Olympiastadion in Berlin. They will then take on Nigeria on June 30 at the Commerzbank-Arena before wrapping up group play against France on July 5 at Borussia-Park in Mönchengladbach.
Brazil: Marta and Company Return to the Show
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Jorge Luis Barcellos's Brazil are another challenger to the title and will be looking for payback from four years ago in China.
"You never count (Brazil) out," Scurry said of As Canarinhas. "They haven’t played a bunch of games this year, but when it’s tournament time—when it’s time for the Olympics or World Cup—Brazil always comes to play. And they are an interesting team to follow in that you just know what you’re gonna get with them."
One thing is for sure: fans will get to see the playmaking ability of players like Fabiana, Daniela, Cristiane and Marta, who will be highlighter later in this slideshow.
Brazil begins their Women's World Cup run on June 29 against Australia at Borussia-Park. They continue group play on July 3 against Norway at the Volkswagen-Arena before concluding play against African champions Equatorial Guinea on July 6 at the Commerzbank-Arena.
Canada: Underrated Side with Glory in Mind
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Carolina Morace's Canada come into the FIFA Women's World Cup as an underrated team, according to Scurry.
"My dark horse actually is Canada," Scurry said. "They have won several tournaments last year. They have entered in whatever they have entered and won. So I think that they are underrated."
It won't be easy for Christine Sinclair and company to make their move, though.
"Obviously, they play Germany first," Scurry added. "A big test for them."
Canada will then take on France on June 30 at Bochum's Ruhrstadion before wrapping up group play against Nigeria at the Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion in Dresden.
Sweden: Are They Really All They're Cracked Up to Be?
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You can scratch Thomas Dennerby's side from the list of challengers to make it past the group stages of the FIFA Women's World Cup, says Scurry.
"I think the most overrated team is Sweden, personally," Scurry remarked. "A lot of people have chosen to get out of their group. I personally don’t see them getting out. I think it will be USA and North Korea that go through that group."
Then again, Sara Larsson, Caroline Seger and Therese Sjögran might have something to say about that...
Sweden opens up group play against Colombia on June 28 at the BayArena in Leverkusen. They continue group play against North Korea on July 2 at the Impuls Arena in Augsburg before wrapping up action against the United States on July 6 at the Volkswagen-Arena.
Keep an Eye out For: Abby Wambach
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Abby Wambach and the USA Women's National Team seem to be a match made in heaven. Since first donning the shirt of the Red, White and Blue in 2003, Wambach has scored 118 goals in 156 appearances.
"Abby Wambach is really a main player, a scorer here for the US team," Scurry said. "It’s gonna be key for her to be productive and actually score goals and create goals."
Keepo an Eye out For: Hope Solo
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A championship contender requires a goalkeeper that can deliver defensively for her side. The USA's Hope Solo will look to make up for a missed opportunity four years ago in the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup semifinals, which saw her benched in favor of Scurry.
"Hope Solo is going to be a pivotal part of this team," Scurry said. "No team’s going to win a World Cup championship without a good goalkeeper present. In the years I’ve spent as a goalkeeper, (good goalkeeping) always factors into a Final. So Hope’s going to have to have a great game. She’s one to watch."
Since 2000, Solo has made 94 appearances in goal for the USA women.
Keep an Eye out For: The USA Youth
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A fresh set of new faces will be on the pitch for the USA. Defender Becky Sauerbrunn, midfielders Kelley O'Hara and Tobin Heath, and the forward trio of Amy Rodriguez, Lauren Cheney and Alex Morgan could be seeing playing time for Pia Sundhage's side.
"This team has a lot of youth," said Scurry. "So as a collective, I think the first-timers are going to have to come in and really step up their game. And I think that some of them are gonna actually adore the world’s stage and flourish in it."
Keep an Eye out For: Marta
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You don't have to follow the women's game to know that the Western New York Flash's Marta Vieira da Silva is what makes Brazil a dangerous opponent. Okay, maybe a little. But Brazil's No. 10 is looking to add a FIFA Women's World Cup to her already growing list of accomplishments.
"Marta is clearly a fan favorite," Scurry said. "Has always been, will always be...has been for several years. Brazil has made the final of the last two major events, so Marta is always a great player to watch. She’s very exciting, very creative. It’s amazing what she can do with the ball at her feet, and she’s a great player to watch."
Marta has scored 56 goals in 55 appearances for Brazil.
Keep an Eye out For: Lisa De Vanna
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Australia's Lisa De Vanna has been forced to eat some humble pie after being dismissed from a training camp ahead of the Matildas' FIFA Women's World Cup campaign.
Still, with 23 goals in 62 appearances for Australia, De Vanna remains a threat to opposing defenses and will hope that she can reconcile with her coach, Tom Sermanni, in time for group play.
"I think De Vanna is very fast," Scurry said, "(and) could be a leading scorer in the first round of games, depending on how the games go. So I think fans have to watch out for her."
A Fearless Prediction from Brianna Scurry
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So, who does Brianna Scurry have as the two sides to make it to the Final? And what about the result?
"Well, I’ve recently gone on the record as saying that I think it will be a Brazil-Germany final," Scurry said. "And I think I believe I said that it will be 2-1 in favor of Germany."
However, the former US goalkeeper did provide a word of caution.
"I wouldn’t put anything against the US, either," Scurry added.
