Crystal Dunn announces departure from Portland Thorns after 3 seasons

Portland Thorns vs. San Diego Wave

Portland’s Crystal Dunn (19) looks on as the Thorns take on the San Diego Wave in an NWSL match on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023, at Providence Park in Portland.Howard Lao for The Oregonian/OregonLive

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Crystal Dunn will leave the Portland Thorns as a free agent this winter after three seasons with the club, she announced on Instagram on Thursday.

“This decision has weighed heavily on me for a while but I am ready for a new journey,” Dunn wrote. “To the fans: Portland is a special place and that is truly because of you. ... Thank you for your relentless support of the players as you continuously demand more, while pushing the boundaries that help this place grow. ... To my teammates: It has been an absolute honor sharing the pitch with you and hoisting some trophies along the way.”

Dunn, 31, helped lead the Thorns to a NWSL championship in 2022, with her late goal in the 2022 NWSL semifinal vs. San Diego etching itself into Portland sports lore. After training with the team well into her third trimester of pregnancy, Dunn came back following the birth of her son, Marcel, earlier that season. 2023 was her first full season postpartum.

A former NWSL MVP in 2015, Dunn appeared in 20 matches for the Thorns in 2023, scoring five goals and notching two assists. An attacking midfielder at the club level, she started as an outside back for the U.S. women’s national team throughout the 2023 FIFA World Cup. She has 140 career caps for USWNT.

A star on the field and inspirational figure as one of the architects of pay equity for U.S. players, Dunn’s activism and outspoken personality add to her status as an icon of the sport.

In the past year, Dunn’s relationship with the Thorns organization became untenable. Following the 2022 season, Dunn’s husband — Pierre Soubrier — was fired by the Thorns following an investigation. Dunn did not share whether that factored into her decision, but spoke of trust and accountability in her farewell message.

“Reflecting on the past three years, it is clear to me that trust and accountability are the basis for a strong and resilient culture,” Dunn said. “My time in Portland has held moments of great success and absolutely heartbreaking experiences. These moments have not only shaped some of the most challenging years of my career, but also me. I am walking away, knowing the woman, the mom, the teammate, and the friend I will forever be as I look ahead to my next chapter.”

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