rystal Dunn is the Vice President and Secretary of the United States Women's National Soccer Team Players Association (USWNTPA) and is currently a player on the 2023 Fifa World Cup squad. Dunn is a versatile fullback that plays for Portland Thorns FC, and has been outspoken in the past about athletes and their ability to use their voices to create positive change. Dunn most notably spoke out against those who said athletes should “stick to sports” as well as being a prominent supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement.

In 2020, Dunn was an avid endorser of the BLM movement in the fight against racial injustice and police brutality. Dunn helped rally her team, the North Carolina Courage, to wear Black Lives Matter t-shirts and kneel in solidarity along with their opponents.

“This wasn't about what North Carolina wanted to do or what Portland wanted to do," Dunn said to Sports Illustrated. "This was about collectively having that very powerful message displayed on TV. For us to all be unified and putting out the same message was really, really important to us.”

Dunn became Vice President of the USWNTPA in 2021 and found a new perspective on taking action and standing up for what she believes in.

“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,” Dunn told NBC Sports. “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.”

As Vice President, Dunn has her sights set on earning equal pay for the U.S. Women's National Team, a side that has seen unparalleled success in women's soccer. Dunn knows the path to equal pay is going to be long and challenging, but she is ready for any obstacle that may come her way.

"I think through negotiations, it’s actually been incredible to make the proper steps forward and actually raise the bar and obviously not settle for anything other than equality,” Dunn said.

Photo credit: U.S. Women's National Soccer Team's Instagram