CRYSTAL DUNN

Dunn rose through soccer's ranks as a creative midfielder, and that's what she's been for some of the world's most successful clubs. By virtue of her versatility, though, and out of USWNT necessity, she broke into the national team as a fullback. She spoke honestly, emotionally and introspectively about how "it's been a massive burden on me to switch who I am." He simply explained that, whereas fullback is the USWNT's position of gravest need, its midfield is rather crowded. As long as he doesn't step out of line, pull Dunn aside and tell her to watch her words, there is no controversy here, no drama.

The Portland Thorns have fired their athletic trainer after an outside investigation found he illegally distrubted a controlled substance to players, the National Women’s Soccer League said.

The United States women's national team beat New Zealand 4-0 in its first friendly of 2023.

While the U.S. women's national soccer team has steadily become more representative, players say there's still work to be done. That means ensuring young women of color feel included in the sport.

If there’s any role model takeaway in this story — and society loves to position women as constant role models — it’s that maternity leave should be the standard. FIFA, the sport's governing body, in 2020 mandated at least 14 weeks of maternity leave paid at a minimum of two-thirds of a player's full salary. World Cup champion Sydney Leroux said she had planned to have a baby in March 2019 and play most of the NWSL season. About the Current: The Current, whose franchise formerly played in Utah, is in its second season in Kansas City. Goalkeeper Adrianna Franch and defender Hailie Mace made the Second Team.

It dribbled out to Dunn at the edge of the penalty area in the 93rd minute of a playoff semifinal. It left players "horrified, and heartbroken, and frustrated, and exhausted, and really really angry," as Thorns captain Becky Sauerbrunn said. That bond is what made the Thorns a destination for NWSL stars, and the league's most commercially successful franchise. She hit the winner, and ignited an "explosion of emotions for the whole stadium, the whole city," as Rodriguez said. But again and again, the players of this flawed but potent league find a way to be just that.

Crystal Dunn came off the bench and scored in stoppage time to give the Portland Thorns a 2-1 victory over the San Diego Wave in the first of two semifinal matches Sunday in the National Women's Soccer League. The Thorns will face the winner of the late game between OL Reign and the Kansas City Current in the league championship game next weekend in Washington. Dunn, who also plays for the U.S. national team, has been easing her way back after giving birth to a son five months ago.

LONDON — (AP) — Ten weeks after conquering Europe, England women proclaimed themselves ready for even more after beating the world champion United States 2-1 in a friendly at Wembley Stadium on Friday. England stopped the Americans' 13-game winning streak and 21-match unbeaten streak dating to a 1-0 defeat to Canada in a 2021 Olympics semifinal. “There's a lot of preparation now for the World Cup. A report this week into the scandals that erupted in the National Women's Soccer League last season found emotional abuse and sexual misconduct were systemic in the league. The draw for the World Cup will be in Auckland on Oct. 22.

LONDON — (AP) — Ten weeks after conquering Europe, England women proclaimed themselves ready for even more after beating the world champion United States 2-1 in a friendly at Wembley Stadium on Friday. Lauren Hemp and Georgia Stanway scored to help England beat the U.S. for the first time since 2017 and less than 10 months before the Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. “There's a lot of preparation now for the World Cup. A report this week into the scandals that erupted in the National Women's Soccer League last season found emotional abuse and sexual misconduct were systemic in the league. The draw for the World Cup will be in Auckland on Oct. 22.

Crystal Dunn was determined to pay it forward, she said, “because I know what it’s like to struggle.”

(NCD)LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A Kentucky woman who won the lottery decided to give back by handing out gift cards to strangers with some of her winnings. >> Read more trending newsCrystal Dunn played the “Bank Buster Jackpot Instant Play” game online, wagering $20 on July 8, lottery officials said in a news release. Dunn said that she knew she wanted to pay it forward, and after depositing the check at the bank, stopped at a Meijer grocery store to buy $2,000 in gift cards, WDRB reported. She then walked around the store, handing the cards to unsuspecting strangers. “A few were taken back, thinking I was wanting something in return,” Dunn told lottery officials.

Carli Lloyd is headed to her fourth Olympics.

The coronavirus outbreak brought significant disruption to women’s soccer around the world with some players going without competition for as many as 250 days.

The United States sits atop the SheBelieves Cup standings with two wins. But not only a goal, the way we played our attack in the first 20 minutes," Brazil coach Pia Sundhage said. It was Press' 10th goal in her last 13 national team games and 59th international goal. Alex Morgan made her first start for the national team since giving birth to daughter Charlie last year. The U.S. beat Canada 1-0 in its SheBelieves Cup opener on Thursday, while Brazil beat rival Argentina 4-1.

AdNichelle Prince had a pair of good chances for Canada early in the second half but couldn't convert. "We created some good opportunities after a good build-up, or we were able to break them down with good creativity. The United States will be seeking its fifth gold medal in seven Olympic tournaments. The United States improved its record in the series to 51-3-7. Earlier Thursday, Brazil defeated Argentina 4-1 in the tournament's opening match.

U.S. national team players Megan Rapinoe, Tobin Heath and Christen Press have opted out of the National Women's Soccer League tournament kicking off this weekend in Utah. Heath and Press, who played with Rapinoe on the champion World Cup team last summer in France, cited concerns about the coronavirus for their decisions not to play. Among the national team players taking part in the tournament are Chicago's Julie Ertz, U.S. Soccer's Player of the Year, and teammate Alyssa Naeher, North Carolina's Crystal Dunn and Portland's Becky Sauerbrunn. The league was rocked by the announcement Monday that the Orlando Pride were dropping out of the tournament after six players and four staff members tested positive for COVID-19. Like all NWSL players, she was given the option to participate.