USWNT legend Crystal Dunn explains surprise retirement decision

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USWNT legend Crystal Dunn explains surprise retirement decision

USWNT legend Crystal Dunn explains surprise retirement decision

Seth Vertelney, USA TODAY · USA TODAY Sports

Tue, Feb 17, 2026 ·

2 min read

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U.S. women's national team legend Crystal Dunn surprisingly announced her retirement from soccer last month.

At age 33, Dunn was at a point in her career when many players still have several years left before hanging up their boots.

But in an interview with FIFA's website , Dunn said she felt the time was right to call time on a decorated 12-year career — even with the chance to play at a third World Cup next summer in Brazil.

"Obviously a year out from a World Cup in a sense, [the decision] took people by surprise but it felt like a really good time," she said. "I've always been highly valuing family, friends, closeness with people who have really supported me in my career. I think basically there was a moment where I couldn't give to the sport in the way that I wanted to, the way I know that is needed to remain at the highest level.

"While it was a difficult decision, I am happy that it was my decision and I was able to walk away when I felt like I had maybe a little bit more to give, but at a time when I have done enough."

Brandi Chastain celebrates after kicking the winning game-winning penalty shot to win the 1999 Women's World Cup final against China at the Rose Bowl on July 19, 1999.
(Roberto Schmidt, AFP)

July 10, 1999: U.S. players react as Brandi Chastain takes the winning penalty kick during the Women's World Cup Final at the Rose Bowl.
(DAN MACMEDAN, USA TODAY)

July 10, 1999: Goalkeeper Briana Scurry knocks away a penalty shot by China's Liu Ying preserving helping the USWNT beat China in the Women's World Cup Final at the Rose Bowl.
(Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY Sports)

June 19, 1999: A crowd of more than 78,000 watch the opening ceremonies at the opening game of the Women's World Cup Soccer at the Medowlands in New Jersey. The U.S. beat Denmark, 3-0, in the opening game of the 1999 Women's World Cup.
(DIANE WEISS, USA TODAY)

Aug. 26, 2004: U.S. players listen to their national anthem before the start of the gold medal match against Brazil at the Olympic Games.
(ODD ANDERSEN, AFP)

Aug. 26, 2004: Abby Wambach and Mia Hamm celebrate the Olympic gold medal win over Brazil in Karaiskaki Stadium in Piraeus, Greece. Wambach scored the game winning goal in overtime play to defeat Brazil, 2-1. It marked the second time that the USWNT won gold in the Olympics.
(Jack Gruber, USA TODAY)

Aug. 26, 2004: Julie Foudy, Joy Fawcett, Mia Hamm, Kristine Lilly and Brandi Chastain receiving their Olympic gold medal beating Brazil 2 -1 in overtime at Karaiskaki Stadium.
(Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY)

Aug. 29, 2004: At the Closing Ceremony for the 2004 Summer Olympics, Julie Foudy, Joy Fawcett, Mia Hamm, Kristine Lilly and Brandi Chastain -- also known as the "fab five" of the U.S. women's soccer team -- have their photo taken.
(Jack Gruber, USAT)

Aug. 21, 2008: U.S. players show off their gold medals on the the podium after winning the women's soccer gold medal game against Brazil at the Workers Stadium in Beijing, China.
(Jeff Swinger, USAT)

Aug. 9, 2012: U.S. players celebrate with their gold medals after defeating Japan in the gold medal match during the London Olympic Games at Wembley Stadium.
(Christopher Hanewinckel, USA TODA)

July 5, 2015: Carli Lloyd scores her second goal in a 5-2 win over Japan in the World Cup final at BC Place in Vancouver, Canada.
(Dennis Grombkowski, Getty Images)

July 7, 2015: U.S. coach Jill Ellis addresses the crowd at the 2015 Women's World Cup champions celebration at L.A. Live in Los Angeles.
(Kirby Lee, USA TODAY Sports)

July 7, 2015: Abby Wambach kisses the World Cup trophy at the championship rally at L.A. LIVE in downtown Los Angeles.
(ROBYN BECK, AFP/Getty Images)

July 10, 2015: Megan Rapinoe celebrates with the Women's World Cup trophy during a ticker tape parade in New York.
(Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY Sports)

Jul 15, 2015: Members of the U.S. women's soccer team, winner of the 2015 World Cup, pose on the red carpet during the 2015 ESPY's award show at the Nokia Theater. The USWNT won the ESPY for outstanding team.
(Jayne Kamin-Oncea, USA TODAY Sports)

April 7, 2019: Members of the 1999 World Cup championship team pose for a photo at halftime of the USWNT vs. Belgian game at Banc of California Stadium in Los Angeles.
(Katharine Lotze, Getty Images)

July 2, 2019: Alex Morgan celebrates after scoring a goal against England in the semifinal of the Women's World Cup in Lyon, France. The U.S. won the game, 2-1.
(JEAN-PHILIPPE KSIAZEK, AFP/Getty Images)

July 7, 2019: Megan Rapinoe hoists the World Cup trophy and celebrates with teammates after defeating the Netherlands in the championship match of the Women's World Cup at Stade de Lyon.
(Michael Chow, USA TODAY Sports)

July 10, 2019: USWNT forward Megan Rapinoe celebrates with teammates at City Hall after the ticker-tape parade for the World Cup champions down the canyon of heroes in New York City.
(Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports)

Feb. 24, 2021: The USWNT celebrates their SheBelieves Cup victory with a trophy presentation following a 6-0 win over Argentina at Exploria Stadium.
(Reinhold Matay, USA TODAY Sports)

Feb. 22, 2023: USWNT players celebrate after winning the 2023 SheBelieves Cup with a 2-1 defeat of Brazil at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas.
(Chris Jones, USA TODAY Sports)

Aug. 6, 2023: United States players Andi Sullivan (17), Naomi Girma (4), Lynn Williams (6), Julie Ertz (8) and Crystal Dunn (19) react as Sweden wins a penalty shootout during a Round of 16 knockout game at the 2023 World Cup at Melbourne Rectangular Stadium in Australia. The loss marked the USWNT's earliest exit ever at a major tournament.
(Jenna Watson, USA TODAY Sports)

Aug. 10, 2024: Team USA celebrates winning the gold medal match against Team Brazil during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Parc des Princes.
(Yukihito Taguchi, USA TODAY Sports)

For Dunn, soccer had become less of a priority than spending time with her husband Pierre Soubrier and 3-year-old son Marcel.

"I have missed so many moments in my child's life already and I felt like the moment was perfect," the New York native said. "I spoke to a lot of my friends who are retired and they always say, 'No moment is really perfect when you have dedicated so much of your time and life to a sport.'

"But this was the most perfect time with so many soccer moments on the horizon. Now I get to be a fan of this sport that I've given so much to."

Even with a career that didn't last as long as other USWNT greats, Dunn put together a resume that ranks her among the very best to wear a national team jersey.

Dunn earned 160 caps, scored 25 goals and was integral to the 2019 World Cup-winning side as well as the team that brought home a gold medal at the 2024 Olympics.

Despite playing as an attacker for most of her club career, Dunn excelled at the unfamiliar position of left back for the majority of her USWNT career.

At the club level, Dunn won the NWSL Golden Boot and NWSL MVP honors in 2015 with the Washington Spirit, who selected her first overall in the previous year's draft.

The New York native went on to win three NWSL titles, two with the North Carolina Courage (2018, 2019) and one with the Portland Thorns (2022).

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: USWNT legend Crystal Dunn explains surprise retirement decision

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USWNT legend Crystal Dunn explains surprise retirement decision

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