Bryan grew up in Joppatowne, Maryland and played soccer for the Columbia Crusaders for five years.

[2] In 1992, her first season with North Carolina State University, she started all 22 games and was named the ACC Rookie of the Year in 1992.

During her time at North Carolina, she was a three-time All-Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and All-South Region selection.

Bryan was nominated for the Missouri Athletic Club National Player of the Year award in 1994 and 1995.

[5][6] Bryan made her first appearance for the United States women's national soccer team on March 11, 1993 in a game against Denmark.