Crystal Dunn finds her voice, embraces union role

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — There was a time only a few years back when just playing the game was enough for Crystal Dunn.

But a combination of factors — from the unrest following the shooting of Jacob Blake last year to the pandemic to the national team’s ongoing fight for equal pay — have made Dunn intent on speaking out and taking action.

She’s taken a role as vice president and secretary of the U.S. Women’s National Team Players’ Association and is active in negotiations for a new labor contract.

“When I was a young player on the national team, it was really hard to balance chasing my dreams, wanting to earn my right to be on this team, but at the same time, be as heavily involved as I wanted to be. I think I just matured and came into my own over time,” Dunn said. “Now I’ve been in this space where I can balance both. I can balance being a professional athlete alongside being involved making decisions that obviously are going to better the national team and women’s professional soccer across the board.”

Dunn feels it’s important to speak out as a woman of color, and to use that voice at the negotiating table. But it’s definitely taken her out of her comfort zone.

“I think at times I’ve wanted to just stay behind the scenes and kind of just do my thing, play the sport that I love without distractions and other things going on,” she said. “But I think 2020, like the rest of the world, has made us realize that it’s OK to hit pause and actually focus on other things and narrow in on other things that you’re passionate about.”

It’s been an evolution for Dunn, 29, who was disappointed when she was among the last cuts for the 2015 Women’s World Cup. Rather than mope about being left off, Dunn poured herself into her club team, the Washington Spirit, scoring 15 goals in 20 games and winning the Golden Boot award and Most Valuable Player that year.

Jill Ellis, then the national team coach, took notice and named Dunn to one of 18 spots on the 2016 Olympic team. Dunn has been a regular ever since, and was on the squad that won the 2019 World Cup final.

With the union, Dunn is having to navigate something way different from playing time. The current collective bargaining agreement expires on Dec. 31.