“But I Don’t Love It”- USWNT Star Crystal Dunn Unhappy With Current Playing Role With National Team

USWNT soccer star spoke about her varying roles at the club and national team with GQ in November. GQ published the interview on Friday. It caused some stir as the star showed her unhappiness with playing in the defense with USWNT. 

The player returned last year after giving birth to her child in May last year. She scored an important winner against San Diego Wave in the semifinal playoff of the NWSL Challenge Cup, propelling Portland Thorns to the final. Thorns won the final against Kansas City Current, becoming NWSL Challenge Cup 2022. 

However, Dunn, who plays as an attacking midfielder at the club level, was made to play as a left-back with USWNT and has been performing at the top level in a different role. 

USWNT star unhappy at her role with the national team

Crystal Dunn, while speaking to GQ last November, said, “I no longer get to be Crystal who scores goals, assists, is this attacking player. I step into an environment where I have to be world-class in a position that I don’t think is my best position. But I’ve owned it. I’ve made it my own, and I’ve tried to create it in my most authentic way. But I don’t love it.”

She seemed unhappy at her new role as she thinks the player is the only one who has to do it. Dunn further added that she loves to play and compete. However, it is hard for her to see that no one else on the national team plays out of position, and she is the only one who does it. 

Dunn has mostly played as a midfielder and forward at her University soccer and club level. Yes, Dunn is a good defender. But her Golden Boot in the 2015 NWSL, making her the youngest ever to win, makes her a fearsome attacker, too. Her USWNT teammate Becky Sauerbrunn labeled her as a versatile player.

A glance at the career of Crystal Dunn

Dunn started her soccer journey at South Side High School in 2006. She played college soccer with North Carolina Tar Heels and won the NCAA Women’s Soccer Championship with the college team. The USWNT defender won the coveted Hermann Trophy in 2012.

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Dunn started her professional career with the NWSL side Washington Spirit and played for four seasons there. She also spent a year in England with Chelsea before returning to the US to play for North Carolina Courage. The 30-year-old currently plays for Portland Thorns. She made her debut for USWNT in 2013 and has 129 caps netting 24 goals so far. 

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Let us know your thoughts on the comments made by USWNT star Crystal Dunn over her role change on the national team.