Crystal Dunn [Soubrier] hails from New Hyde Park and recently completed an outstanding professional and international soccer career. Dunn was honored for her efforts by the North Carolina Courage of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) when she was inducted into the 2026 Ring of Honor.
Dunn, a versatile midfielder, played for both club and country. She played in the NWSL for the Washington Spirit, North Carolina Courage, Portland Thorns, and Gotham FC. She crossed the pond to play for Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain. Dunn’s international career representing the United States spanned from 2008 to 2025.
The Long Island native took her skills to Chapel Hill, where she spent four years as a Carolina Tarheel, winning the National Championship and Hermann trophy in 2012. Dunn amassed 31G-25A-87PTS through 80 games in the baby blue. The midfielder is one of the only players in ACC history to win Defender of the Year twice, while also winning the Offensive Player of the Year award once. In the championship run, Dunn scored five goals in the tournament.
Dunn was the first overall pick in the 2014 NWSL college draft, having been picked by the Washington Spirit. She won MVP and the Golden Boot award the next season.
During Dunn’s time in the pros, she won three NWSL championships. Two came with the Courage, along with two NWSL shields, and one title came with Gotham. Dunn spent the second-to-last season of her career closer to home when she signed with NY/NJ Gotham FC.
The USWNT pipeline runs deep. Typically, if you don’t start young, you probably won’t make the team when you’re older. Dunn’s first stint with the program came at the youth level from ‘08 to ‘12. She received her first call-up to the senior team in 2013. In 160 caps for the national team, Dunn scored 25 goals, won the World Cup (‘19), won bronze in Tokyo, and gold in Paris.
Crystal Dunn is small in stature, only standing at a mighty 5’2”, but size has never been an issue for her. Dunn’s speed has always been an integral part of any team she’s been on.
“I think for me, it was the training days and how difficult they were. But we pushed each other to be at our best. That ultimately helped us be as successful as we were, that fight in each other every single day. The starters versus non-starters scrimmages were probably the hardest of my entire life,” said Dunn in an interview before the induction ceremony.
Dunn became the third player to be inducted into the Ring of Honor for the Courage, now having her own banner alongside former teammates Jessica McDonald and Sam Mewis. The Ring of Honor cements Dunn’s legacy as a permanent part of the club’s history. For club and country, the American put forth her best efforts to help the team win.
Congratulations to Crystal Dunn on a phenomenal collegiate, professional, and international soccer career. Now recently retired, she’s starting a new chapter off the field with her husband and son. Thank you for making Long Island proud!
