Crystal Dunn experienced success and played at the highest levels across the globe in a 12-year pro career that took her from Washington to London and Paris, among other major cities.
But Dunn, who had been to Tallahassee before to play against Florida State, took in Florida’s Capital City in a different capacity on Saturday, June 27.
A World Cup winner and Olympic gold medalist with the U.S. women’s national team, Dunn was on the sidelines for the TLH Reckoning’s 2-0 win over Fort Lauderdale United in the USL-W league season finale as a supporter.
Her connection with the Reckoning’s founder, Ashlee Fontes, drew her to Tallahassee.
Fontes drafted Dunn out of North Carolina to the NWSL’s Washington Spirit in 2014 when she was the general manager. It was the launchpad for Dunn, who won an NWSL MVP, multiple Golden Boots, and played both domestically and in Europe with some of the biggest clubs before her retirement in January.
“It’s something that I’m really excited I’ve got to experience, not just as a player playing against FSU. It is a community-driven city. Everyone is built on relationships. It’s about taking care of each other, looking after one another,” Dunn said of Tallahassee. “I think that’s why this project is so fitting for this environment, and the girls need it.”
Dunn, alongside her husband Pierre Soubrier (who currently serves as the High Performance Advisor for the club), stayed in constant contact with Fontes and wanted to support the Reckoning − a pre-professional club and academy that works to develop local and collegiate soccer players.
“Phenomenal character, and a really, really good person. We just kept in touch over the years,” Fontes said of Dunn. “When I first started this in 2023, Pierre was the first person I called… he’s been involved since then. Crystal has been finishing tying up her career and has been following along through the process, and the timing is now right.”
Dunn was treated to a dominant attacking display by the Reckoning against Fort Lauderdale. The club created multiple chances in the win, and got goals from Kendall Sadberry, a penalty kick, and Lily Kiliski, a long-range effort that bounced off the crossbar and in.
Sadberry has been with the Reckoning since its inception, when she was entering her freshman year at Chiles. Fresh off her sophomore season with the Timberwolves, Sadberry has become the face of the Reckonings’ commitment to growing local soccer, playing for both the academy and pre-professional team, and she capped off her strong performance with a goal in front of her idol.
“Kendall, that happens to be her favorite player, and she was so nervous she couldn’t even talk to her, ” TLH Reckoning head coach Izzy Cotto said. “For her to step up and take the PK as a 15-16 year old and bury it, so impressed and proud.”
It’s a moment for Sadberry to cherish, and one that reminds Dunn why she feels it is important to continue investing in and growing the sport at the grassroots level.
Dunn sees how the Reckoning is opening doors for the local soccer community, and she praised Fontes for her drive and commitment to the club. Dunn’s involvement with the club will continue, as it has since 2023, and she said she’s excited to see what’s ahead.
“Soccer has given me so much; it’s given me an education and some of my very best friends that I have now with me in my life. To see the girls train and play and work hard and give everything to the sport… it brings me so much joy knowing that they are working really hard to make sure they have all that they need to live out their dreams,” Dunn said.
“There is a massive gap still that I think needs to be filled. I think Ashlee has done an incredible job of raising awareness about that, but on top of that, doing something about it. Tallahassee Reckoning is only the beginning. I’m happy the girls are enjoying it, but there is still so much to be done.”
Liam Rooney covers Florida State athletics for the Tallahassee Democrat. Contact him via email at LRooney@gannett.com or on Twitter @__liamrooney.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Women’s soccer legend Crystal Dunn sees TLH Reckoning finish strong
Reporting by Liam Rooney, Tallahassee Democrat / Tallahassee Democrat
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Liam Rooney, Tallahassee Democrat | USA TODAY Network
