USWNT’s Crystal Dunn, Gotham FC agree to mutually part ways

Gotham FC has mutually agreed to part ways with Crystal Dunn, the team announced Tuesday.

The USWNT midfielder had joined Gotham as a free agent ahead of the 2024 season, with the split coming just one year into a three-year contract.

NWSL sources, speaking anonymously as they were not authorized to publicly discuss trade talks, told that Gotham initially explored trading Dunn within the league, including discuissions with the Seattle Reign. Ultimately, no deal ever materialized due to the club’s asking price for the versatile veteran.

“I can’t even find the words to express how incredibly sad I am,” Dunn, 32, wrote in an Instagram post about the news. “Though my journey continues elsewhere, I am at least grateful to have played at home in front of my friends and family for even a short while. I’ll carry those memories with me always.”

Dunn was among several marquee acquisitions made by Gotham on the back of its 2023 NWSL title. She, along with USWNT teammates Rose Lavelle, Tierna Davidson and Emily Sonnett, added considerable quality to the defending champs, helping lead them to a third-place finish in the season-end standings and a run to the semifinal. Gotham lost on penalty kicks against eventual runners-up Washington Spirit.

Dunn was also part of the United States squad for the Olympics, starting in their victorious gold medal match against Brazil. Dunn’s involvement with Gotham was minimal following the summer tournament, logging just 165 minutes in the month of September and no game action after a win against Utah Royals on September 22. Dunn was not on the substitutes bench for their postseason games against the Portland Thorns and Washington.

Dunn concluded her Instagram post by teasing that her career will continue, albeit with little hint as to where she’ll play next.

“As I turn the page and prepare for a new chapter, I am filled with excitement for what lies ahead,” Dunn wrote. “The journey continues and I am committed to reaching new heights and pushing myself to be the absolute best version of who I am. Everything happens for a reason, and I’m ready to embrace this next phase of my career with passion, grace, and JOY”

Dunn has made 155 appearances for the USWNT, scoring 25 goals, and was part of their wins at the 2019 Women’s World Cup and last summer’s Olympics. She also won the NWSL Championship with the North Carolina Courage in 2018 and 2019, as well as the Portland Thorns in 2022.

This article originally appeared in The Athletic.

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