Julie Foudy, once labelled the "quintessential American soccer player", left a remarkable legacy through a career that saw her win the FIFA Women's World Cup in China in 1991 and again on home soil in 1999, as well as Olympic gold as captain of the USA team in 1996 and 2004.

The talented midfielder who collected an amazing 271 caps retired from competition in 2004, though her passion remained undiminished after retirement, when she continued to strive for the development of women's football through various projects, including the Julie Foudy Sports Leadership Academy.

Speaking exclusively to FIFA.com, Foudy revealed the sweetest memories of an amazing career and discussed the potential of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2011 as a tool to promote women's football around the globe.

FIFA.com: What does football mean to you?
Julie Foudy: Do you have a couple of days for that one? It's been everything in my life. Besides the obvious benefits, like being healthier, fitter and stronger, the biggest thing for me is what you get emotionally and confidence-wise. That's why we've all been such advocates of women's football in the US, because we want all these young girls to be playing and reaping all these other benefits, like learning how to work with the group and overcome setbacks. These are all things that I apply daily in life. I'm just very grateful to be involved.

Was it because of that you decided to run a football academy?
It was because of all the things I mentioned. I wanted kids to focus not just on winning or losing and becoming a better soccer player, but actually on becoming a better person through soccer. I use soccer as a medium. Half of the day is soccer and half is leadership training in which we talk about a lot of the things I learnt through soccer and I applied off the field. It's just for girls, though, because young girls between 13 and 18 face a lot of self-esteem issues.

You are a FIFA World Cup winner and an Olympic champion? How do they compare?
I think they are different. There are so many different athletes and countries at the Olympics, and the World Cup is the pinnacle of your sport. People ask me that all the time which means more. I think you can't answer that. Both are different and equally special.

What's your most amazing football memory?
Probably the FIFA Women's World Cup 1999 because there were so many people and reporters in the United States questioning whether it would do well and whether people would come, and it did so well in terms of TV ratings and everything else. We also believed it could happen.

What does the name Steffi Jones mean to you?
Steffi has been a legend in soccer in Germany and in the US. I joked with her once asking if she was sure she didn't want to come to play for the US because her father is American. We were obviously delighted to have her playing in the league and have watched her for many years with Germany. I've never played with her personally, but I have a lot of friends and team-mates who have, and they say she was always trying to help better the game. She's an incredible ambassador for the sport, not just for Germany but worldwide. It was perfect that she was chosen as a president of the 2011 World Cup [Organising Committee].

That was our next question. How do you see Steffi Jones' appointment as President of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2011 Organising Committee?
She is definitely the right person because she is a great ambassador.

Do you think that events like the FIFA World Cup can concretely promote the development of women's football worldwide? To what extent is it also important to set up strong national leagues?
The World Cups are vital because they are so visible and especially in countries where they don't traditionally get a lot of women's soccer. Look at the 1999 World Cup. We had players all the time coming to us and saying: "If it weren't for that World Cup, my federation would never have supported women's soccer". The World Cup is critical but you need more than something every four years. We're trying to get a league back in the United States that is going to start in 2009. It's just vital that people can start following players and stay engaged, and not just in the World Cup or Olympic years.

How can the FIFA Women's World Cup 2011 contribute to the further development of women's football?
Once people get exposed to women's football in other countries we will gradually see an attitude change towards it, although some people won't change their minds overnight. My husband is English and I see a gradual attitude change in England towards women's football.

Would you say that media exposure is perhaps the main way the FIFA World Cup can contribute to further develop the game?
Exactly. That's what happened in 1999. Media coverage of the Women's World Cup has been growing. The thing is to reach as many corners of the globe as you can and expose different cultures to it.

Some of the German players who won the World Cup in 2007 will have the opportunity to play a World Cup in front of their crowd in 2011. Does it make a big difference to win a big tournament at home?
Winning it at home is the best; there's nothing like it. Being a world champion is great in itself, but winning it on your home turf is the greatest feeling in the world.

Is it not an additional pressure?
No, I don't think so. For the 1999 US team it was more like a privilege, a great opportunity. You think about the lift you get from your crowd and that's worth the pressure.

The golden generation of US players featuring you, Mia Hamm, Joy Fawcett and Brandi Chastain are no longer playing. How do you rate the US' chances in 2011?
It will be a strong team, but the Germans are going to be tough on home soil. I think Pia (Sundhage), the new USA coach, is doing a great job. And I was amazed at how well Brazil did last year, given that they haven't been playing together very long. When you have Marta you can do great things.