SOCCER: World Cup winner and Olympic champion Dunn announces retirement

NEW YORK – Crystal Dunn, Olympic champion and World Cup winner, has announced her retirement from professional soccer, ending a remarkable career with 160 appearances for the U.S. women’s national team.

Dunn was a key figure in the United States’ 2019 World Cup victory and their 2024 Olympic triumph. She also won three top-flight NWSL titles—two with the North Carolina Courage in 2018 and 2019, and one with the Portland Thorns in 2022.

Known for her versatility, Dunn excelled both in midfield and forward positions, and became an essential part of the national team’s defense, particularly at left back, a role she embraced despite it not being her preferred position.

“I leave the game with a sense of peace and deep fulfillment for all that I’ve accomplished,” Dunn said in a statement. “I’m grateful for the incredible people I’ve had the privilege to work with, from teammates and coaches to family and friends, and all the amazing moments we’ve shared. I’m very much looking forward to my next chapter ahead.”

Dunn joins a list of high-profile players from the U.S. women’s modern golden era who have retired, having played alongside stars like Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan. Her leadership and consistency made her a cornerstone of the U.S. backline.

As one of the first Black stars to break through in a predominantly white U.S. women’s soccer program, Dunn has served as a role model for future generations.

“I first kicked a soccer ball at the age of four, never knowing it would change my life,” she said. “My journey wasn’t perfect, but it was beautiful.”

-Reporting by Amy Tennery in New York; Editing by Toby Davis/Reuters