Chat Reel: Julie Murray

Julie Murray is a forward with Bay Area CyberRays.

Welcome to today's WUSA chat with Julie Murray. Welcome, Julie. Thanks for being here.
Julie_Murray: Hi to everyone. I'm glad to be on here and answer everyone's questions.

From Marty3: Hello Julie, describe what winning the WUSA Championship would mean to you?
Julie_Murray: I think when the final whistle blows it'll be a tremendous feeling. It'll be a sense of relief that we got the first year under our belts.

From TishaFan: Julie, do you like American TV? What's your favorite show?
Julie_Murray: I love American TV. Some of my favorites are Will and Grace and Friends but unfortunately I don't watch a lot because I'm always training.

From Kate in NJ: What was your biggest fear of playing in the WUSA?
Julie_Murray: I guess it wasn't a fear but I just hoped that I would be as competitive as the likes of Sissi and just perform at my best.

From Kate in NJ: You scored 2 awesome goals on Saturday! What was going through your mind when you scored the winning goal?
Julie_Murray: I was obviously very, very excited not just for myself but for the whole team. Just knowing that all of the hard work that we put in all year paid off and I was able to contribute in that way.

From Bob from Walnut Creek, CA: Julie: We first noticed you in the games as the player who was constantly getting knocked down. This really started to bother us, so your "victory dance" after each goal seems very natural to us - it's payback. Of all the fullbacks in the WUSA, which teams/players have been the hardest for you to get around?
Julie_Murray: Tough question... Unfortunately I didn't score against San Diego so I felt at the time that we played them that they were very physical. I would probably have to say San Diego was most difficult for me -- and Washington. But overall I thought the defense in the league was quite good.

From Nancy from San Jose, CA: Do you mentally rehearse your after-goal celebration or does it just come naturally?
Julie_Murray: The only thing that I mentally rehearse are the plays themselves. I guess a combination of excitement and relief brings about my goal celebration. I don't rehearse it.

From raysrock: How will it be for you to play against the Atlanta Beat knowing that they play very physical?
Julie_Murray: I guess because I am used to the physical part of the game it won't be a problem. But in the series against Atlanta I have only played 20 minutes and that was in the first match. That could definitely be to my advantage.

From Patti from Sioux Falls, SD: How do soccer fans in the U.S. differ from those in Australia?
Julie_Murray: Firstly there are more fans in America. I think it's because of the profile of female soccer players in America like Mia and Brandi that you have a much bigger following.

From Stacey: Do you think that playing NY in the semi-final gives your team an advantage since both NY and Atlanta play a very physical style of defense?
Julie_Murray: Yah, I was happy to play NY in the semi-finals and I think that was the most important game of the season -- and also our best performance. We'll have to continue that in the finals versus Atlanta, whether they are physical or not.

From Rita: What's your favorite memory from this season?
Julie_Murray: One of my greatest memories and most special was in the inaugural match walking out in front of 36,000 people and finding myself getting goose bumps listening to the American National Anthem and watching the eagle fly over.

From Kristy from Yorba Linda, Calif.: What are some of the things you love most about your day-to-day lifestyle other than soccer?
Julie_Murray: I hang out with Sissi who is my housemate and we often visit a Brazilian restaurant right near our apartment and we relax.

From Bob from Walnut Creek, CA: Will you be coming back to play for the CyberRays next year?
Julie_Murray: I would love to play for the CyberRays next year.

From Stacey: What's the craziest practical joke that Katia has pulled this season?
Julie_Murray: I remember at before a game in Philadelphia she was injured and during training we all turned around and she was dressed up in a very big wig. She had big hair and it looked like she was wearing a dress. She just looked completely different. We had no idea who it was.

From TheresaWagnerFan: What do you think of Gro's gutsy performance on Saturday after sustaining two broken fingers and a bloodied head?
Julie_Murray: I think that that's a testament to her strength of character and passion to keep playing at any cost and I have great admiration for her performance last Saturday.

From Rita: Who's the best cook on the team?
Julie_Murray: Me! (Laugh, laugh, laugh). Kim Clark's mother cooks good southern food. And Thori's [Staples Bryan] mother is a good cook. I'm laughing because I can't remember ever going to anyone's house for dinner. We always go out and eat.

From Kelly from Omaha, Neb.: Hi Julie! I hope that you guys win this weekend! I am rooting for you all the way. How many brothers and sisters do you have? Are you oldest, middle or youngest?
Julie_Murray: Thanks for your support. We need all we can get. I have two brothers and I'm in the middle.

From Wendy from Sacramento, CA: Julie, do you share your father's interest politics?
Julie_Murray: Not on a daily basis but I have a lot of interests in my future regarding that so while I'm not actively involved, I'm certainly very interested.

From hey: What do you plan to do after your soccer career is over?
Julie_Murray: I would love to maybe stay in the US and get into some broadcasting or perhaps have my own athlete/event marketing company. I'd like to have my own business.

From Kate in NJ: What's the most common question you get asked?
Julie_Murray: Does it hurt when I get hit?

From JCoop in Atlanta: What's the best part of playing with superstars like Katia and Sissi?
Julie_Murray: There are many, many fantastic reasons why I enjoy playing with them so much. Mostly we share the same passion for soccer and Sissi is always smiling and enjoying playing.

From Soccerchicka: If I'm vacationing in Australia what do I have to check out?
Julie_Murray: Absolutely the Great Barrier Reef. Take a tour of Sydney Harbor Bridge. How old are you? -- Because I would encourage you to check out the wineries.

From JCoop in Atlanta: What was the key to the Cyber Rays' turnaround after a slow start?
Julie_Murray: Mostly I think the inclusion of Dianne Alagich into the defense. She was a major contribution to the turnaround. And also all areas of the field were performing at the same time.

From ljrocks: I tried your chicken broccoli recipe on WUSA.com, it was great! Are there any others that you plan to share in the future?
Julie_Murray: Yes, I'll have to give my mom a call for that.

From Rita: What has been your favorite food you've tried here?
Julie_Murray: Good question. I love Chevy's restaurant. It's Mexican. And fat free waffles.

From kidssoccercoach: Which do you find more effective overall, a 4-3-3 or a 4-4-2?
Julie_Murray: For our team specifically the 4-3-3 works very well.

From san: Does the team ever party at Brandi's house?
Julie_Murray: I'll tell you what, there will be one very big party on Sunday when we bring back the championship trophy!

From cscott: Can you tell us how Di's [Dianne Alagich] surgery went?
Julie_Murray: It went very well. She is walking with no crutches. And she'll be back next year, absolutely.

That's all the time we have with Julie Murray. Thanks for spending some time with us, Julie.
Julie_Murray: It has been my pleasure. I'll have to chat with all of you again.