Islander to Islander, it was a position shift on the field that changed the trajectory of Emily Zurrer鈥檚 soccer career.
鈥淚t was Ian [Bridge] who moved me from striker to the back,鈥� said Zurrer.
It turned into a good move.
That鈥檚 where Zurrer began to thrive, and will line up today, if called upon by coach John Herdman when sa国际传媒 opens the 2015 FIFA women鈥檚 World Cup against China at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton. It is her third career World Cup.
The 27-year-old from Crofton was a forward coming up through Lower Island Metro and Cowichan High. It wasn鈥檛 until she got to the national U-20 team in 2004 that then-Canadian coach Bridge of Victoria saw more potential in her from the back line.
Which made sense, since it was as a defender that Vic High-grad Bridge made it as a NASL and European pro player and in Canadian colours all the way to the 1986 World Cup in a much-capped career.
鈥淓mily is fast, athletic and terrific in the air,鈥� noted Bridge, who has a keen eye for back-line play.
鈥淪he has pace, strength, athleticism and competitiveness . . . which is everything you need in a central back.鈥�
Bridge, who was known in his career to sneak up on set plays, saw a double-whammy possibility.
鈥淏eing a former striker, Emily is a bonus up front on set pieces,鈥� he added.
Bringing Zurrer up for free kicks and corners is something Herdman could use to good effect in the World Cup.
Zurrer has 83 caps and is a two-time Olympian with a bronze medal from London 2012, although she was injured midway through the Games, after a quarter-final appearance at Beijing 2008. The former Nanaimo FC senior player, and three-time All-American and Big Ten first-team all-star with the University of Illinois Fighting Illini, has played pro in the U.S., Germany and Sweden.
World No. 8 sa国际传媒 opens today amid excitement, anticipation and expectation mixed with more than a little pressure to perform at home.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a once-in-a-lifetime dream to play in a World Cup at home,鈥� said Zurrer, in a recent interview.
鈥淚t鈥檚 the most excited I鈥檝e ever been for a major tournament. We鈥檝e [also] talked a lot about the pressure [that comes with playing at home]. We can use that adrenaline to motivate and inspire us.鈥�
sa国际传媒 continues pool play against New Zealand on Thursday, also at Commonwealth Stadium, and June 15 against the Netherlands at Olympic Stadium in Montreal.
The 2015 World Cup final will be played July 5 at sa国际传媒 Place.
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