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What Crystal Dunn’s position switch says about USWNT defense

Crystal Dunn plays in a different position for the USWNT than she does for her NWSL club. (Joe Petro/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The debate is raging once again about Crystal Dunn’s ideal role for the U.S. women’s national team after the midfielder for club and defender for country told GQ Sports that her dual roles take a toll on her mentally.

“I step into camp, and I feel like I lose a part of myself. I no longer get to be Crystal who scores goals, assists, is this attacking player,” she said in a wide-ranging intervies last week, highlighting the friction between her endless versatility and desire to hone one particular role.

Dunn also made a salient soccer point, which is that the U.S. is nearing the 2023 World Cup while likely relying once again on converted attackers and center-backs to fill the outside-back player pool. The reigning World Champions head into their final SheBelieves Cup game against Brazil undefeated, but issues with the approach have been visible in their first two games.

The risk and reward of Sofia Huerta

The USWNT doesn’t score their lone goal against Japan on Sunday without Sofia Huerta. In a two-pass, long-ball sequence, Huerta spotted Alex Morgan at midfield as the USWNT regained possession off a Japan corner kick. She lofted the ball toward Morgan, who passed it quickly to a streaking Mallory Swanson. Swanson brought the ball down beautifully, shot across her body and scored what would end up being the deciding goal.

That sequence showcased exactly what valuable skills Huerta brings to the U.S., and in a close game, she could be the difference between the team advancing and being eliminated in a knockout situation. The U.S. registered only five shots on Sunday. Japan swarmed defensively and made it very difficult for the USWNT to generate shots from their build-up play.

Japan’s success in creating overloads to pin the U.S. back also exposed the vulnerabilities Huerta has to overcome on the right side in a winner-take-all situation. Huerta grew into the game, but Japan’s four-player midfield caused problems for both the USWNT’s midfield and backline.

Thorns and Japanese midfielder Hina Sugita presented a particularly stiff challenge for Huerta on both ends of the ball, requiring forward Lynn Williams to take on defensive duties from an attacking position rather than focusing on combining to create chances on the other end.

After the game, head coach Vlatko Andonovski discussed the way the team adjusted their shape in the second half to give greater support to the wings. Still, Japan outlined the blueprint to make the USWNT sweat when they don’t have the ball. Huerta’s side of the pitch has been targeted before, a dynamic that can swallow up the defender’s best qualities and force her teammates into reactive roles. The 30-year-old has successfully figured out reactive defense that doesn’t concede goals, as in Sunday’s victory, so it’s a balance worth monitoring.

Dunn and Fox’s versatility locks them in

When Emily Fox began to rise through the USWNT ranks at left back in Crystal Dunn’s absence due to her pregnancy, it appeared Dunn might have the opportunity to move away from the position.

Fox plays the outside-back position similarly to Dunn, with an ability to defend 1v1 and combine with the midfield to progress the ball. She’s been an essential addition to the roster, with a versatility and calmness that have allowed the team to focus on other vulnerable areas of the pitch.

But in 2023, Fox’s presence hasn’t actually created a pathway for Dunn to move up the pitch because of a lack of depth not on the left side but the right. Against New Zealand and Canada, Fox took over the right-back position and Dunn slotted back in on the left, giving the defense a sense of stability on the wings that Andonovski will likely rely on during the World Cup.

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Emily Fox has become an asset to the USWNT at the right-back position. (Brad Smith/ISI Photos/Getty Images)

Kelley O’Hara’s return from a hip injury that has kept her sidelined for much of the last six months will offer some respite on the right side. But currently, Dunn and Fox might be the only two players Andonovski trusts to provide defensive cover, know when it’s appropriate to push forward and when to hold, and support the wingers on the attack. The U.S. likes to push outside backs forward to bring width to the attack, and Dunn’s ability on the ball is as much an asset as her mental fortitude to hold when necessary.

As it stands, Andonovski’s favored starting pair places Fox on the side opposite to her natural position and requires another year of immense mental focus from Dunn. This self-made situation dates back years, with the U.S. preferring to convert attackers than develop outside backs at the youth levels. But Dunn also seems to make Lindsey Horan most comfortable on the left side of the midfield, and Fox requires less help defense from the right-side wingers in front of her.

The U.S. could absolutely use Dunn’s skills in the midfield, which still does not look settled. But it’s also to Dunn’s credit that she’s still one of the team’s best options in a position she only hones in national team camp.

Claire Watkins is a Staff Writer at Just Women’s Sports. Follow her on Twitter @ScoutRipley.

‘The Late Sub’ Digs Into the Injury Report for NWSL and USWNT Star Trinity Rodman

A close-up profile of USWNT star Trinity Rodman looking out on the 2024 Olympic pitch.
Spirit star Trinity Rodman is away from the NWSL indefinitely with an ongoing back injury. (Harriet Lander - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

In this week's episode of The Late Sub, host Claire Watkins breaks down the newly reported indefinite absence of NWSL star Trinity Rodman from the Washington Spirit, with the 22-year-old attacker rehabbing an ongoing back injury that could reshape the prospects of both the Spirit and the USWNT.

Calling her "the face of the NWSL," Watkins details the Spirit star's long-term back injury, which has led Rodman to seek treatment with a team doctor in London — all while acknowledging that she doesn't think her "back will ever be 100%."

Watkins digs into the potential contributing factors to Rodman's current injury status, including the USWNT's heavy use of the forward during the 2024 Olympic gold medal-winning run in Paris — and whether the team will make different decisions going forward due to the fallout on players like Rodman.

"I'm really curious if [USWNT manager Emma] Hayes and her coaching staff will adjust the way they approach strikers in the future, or forwards in the future, or rotation — or if this is just one of those many stories of a player giving it all for the United States and living with the consequences," says Watkins.

As for Washington, Watkins note that — in the wake of copious injuries — the Spirit is still finding ways to win, with club owner Michele Kang and the coaching staff shrewdly managing the depleted roster.

"I think they would be a juggernaut if they were healthy, but they can win pretty, they can win ugly," notes Watkins.

'An NWSL breaking point'

Watkins also points out that she thinks Rodman's choice to seek treatment in London could be significant, as the forward is currently in a contract year.

With multiple NWSL standouts recently defecting to European clubs, Watkins argues that the US league is hitting a "breaking point" when it comes to retaining top players.

"I am just really, really curious if, by the end of this season, this situation has led Rodman back to the Spirit or if this is the beginning of a player having to progress forward in a different environment," Watkins sums up.

About 'The Late Sub' with Claire Watkins

The Late Sub with Claire Watkins brings you the latest news and freshest takes on the USWNT, NWSL, and all things women's soccer. Special guest appearances featuring the biggest names in women’s sports make TLS a must-listen for every soccer fan.

Follow Claire on X/Twitter @ScoutRipley and subscribe to the Just Women’s Sports newsletter for more.

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Mid-Table Contenders Square Off in Sixth NWSL Matchday

Seattle's Ainsley McCammon and Ana-Maria Crnogorevic warm up before a 2025 NWSL match.
Coming off a big win against Portland, the Seattle Reign face a key mid-table matchup this weekend. (Steph Chambers/NWSL via Getty Images)

There's a traffic jam in the middle of the NWSL standings, with this weekend's slate bound to create some distance among mid-table teams jockeying to break free from the pack.

Between rising underdogs and top-dog rivalries, expect the 2025 NWSL season's sixth matchday to leave it all on the field:

  • No. 10 Houston Dash vs. No. 11 Utah Royals, Friday at 8 PM ET (NWSL+): Tied up at four points apiece, the pair of struggling teams just below playoff contention on the NWSL table will battle for a boost above the cutoff line as the recently sold Royals take a trip to Texas on Friday.
  • No. 3 Washington Spirit vs. No. 4 Gotham FC, Saturday at 1 PM ET (CBS): This week's top-table showdown features two injury-struck East Coast rivals getting rowdy at Audi — can Gotham turn things around or will Washington keep persevering?
  • No. 9 Bay FC vs. No. 8 Seattle Reign, Saturday at 10 PM ET (ION): Seattle holds a slim tie-break over Bay FC as both teams hug the playoff line, with the Reign looking to build on last week’s Cascadia Clash victory over Portland.

This weekend has the potential to divide the contenders from the pretenders, while the league's top three clubs continue to hold court over the rest of the field.

Spirit, Gotham Stoke East Coast Rivalry Flames in Saturday NWSL Matchup

Washington goalkeeper Aubrey Kingsbury makes a save against East Coast rival Gotham during the 2024 NWSL semifinals.
The Washington Spirit knocked East Coast rival Gotham out of the 2024 NWSL Playoffs. (Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

Saturday's soccer lineup underlines a brewing East Coast rivalry, as the Washington Spirit hosts Gotham FC for the first time since knocking the Bats out of the 2024 NWSL semifinals.

"Just playing against them, you feel that fire," Spirit forward Makenna Morris told JWS this week, with Washington's Audi Field anticipating a large crowd for Saturday's match.

Both clubs know each other well, with 2021 NWSL champions Washington and 2023 trophy-winners Gotham seeing a number of big-name players migrating between New York and DC in recent years.

After finishing 2024 in the league's top four, both teams continue to lurk near the top of NWSL table this season, cementing the idea that the best rivalries blossom between winning sides.

"The [team] that poses the most challenge to you, it just makes you want to beat them so bad," said Washington midfielder Gabby Carle.

"You hate to play them because they're good, but you also love it because it's so competitive," echoed Morris.

Ultimately, familiarity is breeding healthy resentment between two of the NWSL's winningest sides, providing a little extra incentive to secure all three points in this weekend’s matchup.

How to watch NWSL rivals Washington vs. Gotham this weekend

The Spirit will host East Coast rival Gotham at 1 PM ET on Saturday, with live coverage of the 2024 NWSL semifinals rematch airing on CBS.

WSL Clubs Fight for Survival in Champions League Semifinals

Barcelona's Claudia Pina celebrates her goal by pointing at teammate Alexia Putellas during their first-leg 2024/25 Champions League semifinal win over Chelsea.
Chelsea will attempt to overcome a 4-1 deficit against Barcelona on Sunday. (Ruben De La Rosa/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

As the 2024/25 UEFA Women's Champions League (UWCL) wraps up its two-leg semifinals on Sunday, the English teams still in the running find themselves on the brink of elimination from Europe's most prestigious club competition.

Facing a 4-1 deficit against reigning champs Barcelona, Chelsea will aim to close the gap — and keep their historic quadruple hopes alive — at home this weekend.

Meanwhile, Arsenal will try to overcome a more manageable 2-1 deficit against eight-time Champions League winners Lyon, traveling to France to keep their UWCL campaign alive.

An English side hasn't won the UWCL since 2007, when Arsenal took home the WSL's lone European championship trophy.

"Huge respect for their history and what they have been doing and producing in the Champions League, in Europe," Arsenal manager Renée Slegers said of Lyon. "I think they're still a very strong side."

"Subconsciously, you always have that thing when you fall short, like last year," said Lyon midfielder and USWNT captain Lindsey Heaps, reflecting back on last season’s title loss to Barcelona. "You lose a game, you lose a tournament – the feeling is there until you're back in the the games that can fix that feeling."

How to watch the 2024/25 Champions League semifinals

Sunday's second leg of the 2024/25 Champions League semifinals kicks off with Chelsea vs. Barcelona at 9 AM ET, before Arsenal faces Lyon at 12 PM ET.

Both matches will air live on DAZN.

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