Crystal Dunn retires at 33 after World Cup, Olympic gold and NWSL MVP career

Crystal Dunn, a cornerstone of the USWNT’s recent era, announced her retirement on Jan. 29, 2026, ending her career at 33. She revealed the decision through an Instagram post and a statement provided by U.S. Soccer. Dunn leaves the game as a World Cup winner, an Olympic gold medalist and a former NWSL MVP.

At club level she starred for teams including the Washington Spirit, North Carolina Courage, Chelsea, Gotham FC and Paris Saint-Germain. Across more than a decade with the national team, Dunn earned 160 caps and scored 25 goals while often deployed out of position at left back. Her defensive reliability and big-game performances were key to the 2019 World Cup triumph and the U.S.

gold-medal run at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she played nearly every minute. At club level Dunn burst onto the scene with the Washington Spirit, winning NWSL MVP and Golden Boot honours in 2015, and later helped capture three league titles with the North Carolina Courage and Portland Thorns.

She signed with PSG in January 2025 but made only one appearance during the 2025–26 season. In a statement provided by U.S. Soccer Dunn said, "I leave the game with a sense of peace and deep fulfillment for all that I’ve accomplished," and noted she is ready to prioritise family life with her husband, Pierre Soubrier, and their three-year-old son, Marcel.

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