SHARON McCurtry

Sharon McMurtry, named the first-ever U.S. Soccer Female Athlete of the Year in 1985, was a creative and fearless midfielder whose playmaking ability left a lasting mark on the women’s game. Before joining the inaugural USWNT, she starred for the Tacoma Cozars, excelled in basketball at Seattle University, and even played professional basketball in the Netherlands. 

McMurtry was recognized among Washington’s Top 50 Women Players in 2016, a testament to her influence on and off the field. Her combination of technical skill, vision, and competitive fire made her one of the most respected players of her generation. 

“The Italians didn’t really believe we played soccer in America. But we heard that, and we were like, ‘You know what? We’re going to show them.’ When they saw us play, they started screaming ‘USA! USA!’ It was incredible,” she says.