Dunn Is Not New to USA Soccer
While 2019 marked Dunn’s first time playing in the World Cup, she’s been in the fold with USA soccer for several years. Dunn first appeared with Team USA on the under-17 squad and later on the U-18 and U-20 teams. She was one of the driving forces behind the U.S. clinching the Under-20 World Cup title in Japan back in 2012.
“One thing that Crystal has proven is that she’s been a winner at every single level,” former USWNT defender, now ESPN soccer analyst Kate Markgraf told The Huffington Post. “I first saw her at the U-20 World Cup, and she was the MVP for me.”
Dunn would make her first appearance with the senior team in February of 2013. But she would be left heartbroken when narrowly missed the cut for the 2015 World Cup in Canada.
“I wasn’t really anticipating not being a part of the World Cup,” Dunn said in 2016. “I was upset and pissed.”
She would use the snub for motivation. After a big year playing for the Washington Spirit of the National Women’s Soccer League, Dunn would be named to the 2016 Olympic Team. Before this year’s World Cup, Dunn played in 86 games for Team USA—scoring 24 goals.
