Crystal Dunn has announced that she is leaving the Portland Thorns after three seasons.
Dunn, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent, confirmed the news in a post on Instagram.
“My time in Portland has come to an end and I am extremely grateful for all the memories,” she wrote. “This decision has weighed heavily on me for a while but I am ready for a new journey.”
Dunn was acquired by the Thorns via trade from the North Carolina Courage ahead of the 2021 season. The 31-year-old was sidelined for the majority of the 2022 season due to pregnancy and giving birth to her son Marcel, but returned to help the team win the NWSL title.
Dunn’s time in Portland was filled with highs and lows. After becoming a mother and helping the Thorns win the 2022 NWSL title, the U.S. women’s national team star turned in a strong 2023 campaign that saw her score five goals and add two assists in 19 games.
But there was also the personal hardship of seeing her husband Pierre Soubrier fired as Thorns trainer after violating NWSL rules on controlled substances.
There has also been plenty of controversy around the franchise as a whole. The Thorns have been embroiled in scandal surrounding the actions of disgraced former coach Paul Riley, and executives who were found to have not been fully transparent in exposing his behavior.
Thorns owner Merritt Paulson is currently in the process of selling the team over his actions surrounding Riley. The Yates investigation and joint NWSL/NWSL Players’ Association investigations found Paulson and other Thorns officials took steps to avoid scrutiny over the reasons the club dismissed Riley in 2015.
Dunn hinted that the tumult surrounding the franchise may have played a part in her decision to leave Portland.
“Reflecting on the past 3 years, it is clear to me that trust and accountability are the basis for a strong and resilient culture,” she said. “My time in Portland has held moments of great success and absolutely heartbreaking experiences.”
Dunn has been capped 140 times by the USWNT, starting every game over the summer as the U.S. crashed out of the 2023 World Cup in the round of 16.
