Crystal Dunn: My Favorite 2019 World Cup Player

Crystal Dunn was the last player cut before the U.S. squad headed off to Canada in 2015 Women’s World Cup.

She could have easily let it crush her.

In an interview with Sports Illustrated, she recalled feeling embarrassed, “like I’m useless, worthless.” Many people say that it is not your failure that defines you, it’s the way you recover from that failure.

Her recovery was inspiring. She is inspiring. That is why Crystal Dunn is my favorite World Cup player.

After her loss, she got great advice from her soon-to-be husband who told her, “Life’s too short and [you] don’t have time to waste with negative thoughts.”

He reminded Crystal how talented she is and advised her to use the adversity as a learning experience.

“That’s what saved me,” Crystal says in Sports Illustrated, “knowing that life goes on – there’ll be a couple of months where you feel left behind, but then you realize; I’m valuable. And I can work on ways to improve.”

Three months after her U.S. teammates lifted the World Cup trophy, Crystal won the MVP award in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), she made the 2016 Summer Olympic team and played overseas for Chelsea.

She learned to get better as a soccer player, seeing the field better and becoming more active without the ball. Now, she’ll be the USWNT’s first choice left back in France (and don’t be surprised if she plays in the midfield or up top too).

Crystal sees the pain of 2015 now as a blessing, “[It] was just the beginning of my story…Who’s to say [all of this] would have happened if I were at the World Cup [in 2015]?”

Right on, Crystal! You took something that could have defeated others and turned it into a launching pad for your game and your life. This is why you’re my favorite player at this year’s World Cup.

Let’s all stand up and cheer for this 5’1” package of girl power, determination, and resilience!

Photos via Instagram @cdunn19

_

GIRLS SOCCER NETWORK: YOUR SOURCE FOR GIRLS SOCCER NEWS