Crystal Dunn, three-time NWSL champion, three-time NWSL Shield winner, two-time Olympian, member of the U.S. Women’s National Team, and NWSL MVP, has inked a multi-year contract with Gotham FC that runs through 2026.
“I am so excited to join Gotham and return back home!” said Dunn. “This place is one that I hold close to my heart. I am looking forward to playing alongside top players that will bring out the best in me, as we all work together to push this club to achieve even more success this upcoming season and beyond.”
Dunn, a long island native, returns to her home state of New York to embark on her 10th professional season. She can look back on an incredible career marked by several NWSL Best XI awards (2015, 2018), the 2015 NWSL MVP award, the 2015 NWSL Golden Boot, and three NWSL championships (2018, 2019, 2022).
Dunn is a two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup participant and Olympic medallist for the USWNT. She won the World Cup in 2019 and participated in every game in the 2023 competition. Due to her outstanding performance for both club and nation, Dunn was also nominated for the 2023 U.S. Soccer Female Player of the Year award. She played in all 14 of her starts for the USWNT in 2023, logging 970 minutes in the process. She also contributed to one of the team’s strongest defensive seasons to date, as the team allowed the fewest goals per game (0.17) of any year in program history (minimum of 10 games).
Dunn was most recently a member of the Portland Thorns from 2021 to 2023. She led Portland to second place in the regular season rankings last season after starting 17 of her 19 regular-season matches, collecting 1,311 minutes, scoring five goals, and adding two assists. Prior to joining the Portland Timbers, Dunn was a key player for the North Carolina Courage (2018-20), Chelsea FC (2017-18), and Washington Spirit (2014-16).Dunn played collegiately for the renowned University of North Carolina, where she helped the Tarheels win their 21st NCAA National Championship. She was selected as the first overall pick in the 2014 NWSL Draft by the Washington Spirit. Dunn was also named All-American and received the MAC Hermann Trophy as the greatest player in collegiate soccer in the country for her junior season.
“Crystal is an exceptional player who can play anywhere at any time and have an incredible impact on the game,” said Gotham FC Head Coach Juan Carlos Amorós. “We are excited to have a player of her quality join us for this upcoming season as we look to continue to build upon the success of last season.”
Dunn played collegiately for the renowned University of North Carolina, where she helped the Tarheels win their 21st NCAA National Championship. She was selected as the first overall pick in the 2014 NWSL Draft by the Washington Spirit. Dunn was also named All-American and received the MAC Hermann Trophy as the greatest player in collegiate soccer in the country for her junior season.
“Crystal is a high-caliber player and champion who brings amazing energy to everything she does, both on and off the field,” said Gotham FC General Manager and Head of Soccer Operations Yael Averbuch West. “Adding an incredible player like Crystal to our championship roster is an exciting step forward for the club and our fans.”