Meghan Schnur was debating whether to take a chance of a lifetime.

Her University of Connecticut teammates made sure her decision turned out to be an easy one.

Schnur, a 2003 graduate of Butler High School, was tapped as one of 19 players to represent the U.S. under-19 women's soccer team in a two-week tournament in China Aug. 1 to 14.

"She went back and forth with her teammates on what she should do," said Schnur's father, Jeff. "Then they told her, 'You're crazy if you don't do it.'"

Schnur didn't know if she wanted to take the semester off and not be able to play for the Huskies this fall.

"During the spring, I wasn't sure if I would do it," said Megan Schnur, who made her first appearance with the under-19 national team last year. "I wondered if I wanted to sacrifice the season and if my knee would be OK."

It was also difficult because the Huskies are going to play in Barcelona, Spain, during the pre-season.

"It'll be tough because I'll miss the team a lot. I love those girls," she said.

Of the 19 players on the U.S. team headed to China, 18 will get the chance to be part of the team that will play in the World Cup in Thailand in November.

The under-19 women's World Cup is played every two years. This year marks only the second time it has been held.

Four of the women competed in the 2002 World Cup, which the United States won when it defeated Canada for the title.

"The competition is so intense," said Schnur. "The girls are so good, which bodes well for the U.S. team."

Schnur has played with many of the players in other tournaments and in college games, so getting familiar with everyone's play shouldn't be a problem.

"It'll be so much easier when we play. I just want to go in with a good mentality," said Schnur. "I don't want to be the one eliminated."

Schnur played in her first tournament with the under-19 national team last May when the team played in a round-robin tournament in Texas. Teams from China, Japan and Canada took part.

If Schnur makes the squad slated to compete in the World Cup this fall, she'll have to miss the entire semester because of time constraints.

"U.S. Soccer puts a lot of money in the World Cup," said Schnur. "The schedule is rigorous.

"After the China event, we'll go to training camp. Then, we'll rest for a week at school or at home, go to another tournament, get a little rest, play in another tournament.

"It's two weeks on, one week off through the World Cup," Schnur added.

The training camp, as well as a couple of tournaments, might be played at the Home Depot Center in Los Angeles.

"I'm really thrilled for her," said Jeff. "She's made a decision to play soccer at this level.

"It's pretty much a full time, heavy commitment," he added.

Schnur is certainly up for the challenge, but she might have to overcome the language barrier.

"I have no idea. One of my good friends back home knows Japanese, but that doesn't help," she said, laughing.