FIFA World Cup Champion Crystal Dunn Flexes Her Game in These St. Lucia Photos

The USWNT member was a natural in her 2019 SI Swimsuit Issue feature.

Crystal Dunn was photographed by Ben Watts in St. Lucia.Ben Watts/Sports Illustrated

Just months before winning the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, U.S. Women’s National Team member Crystal Dunn took to the beaches of St. Lucia with photographer Ben Watts for a feature in that year’s SI Swimsuit Issue.

The North Carolina Tar Heels soccer alumna kicked up some sand during the photo shoot, clearly comfortable with a bright orange soccer ball at her feet.

Crystal Dunn was photographed by Ben Watts in St. Lucia.

Ben Watts/Sports Illustrated

She also took the time to reflect on how she stays positive amid hardship. “There was a period of time where I used to overstress,” she said. “Now I kind of just look at life like, ‘Things are going to happen. You’re going to have a crappy day. You’re going to have a crappy game, maybe, but you can’t dwell on difficult moments.’”

Crystal Dunn was photographed by Ben Watts in St. Lucia.

Ben Watts/Sports Illustrated

Dunn’s positive attitude extends to her opinion of equality in soccer. When it comes to disparities in the game, she just keeps pushing forward and trying to inspire young players to do the same.

“I think if I woke up one day and said, ‘I’m not treated the same as the men, I’m quitting,’ that is ultimately probably the worst thing that you could do,” she remarked. “What you can do is stay in this game and show the young ones who dream to be in this position that it’s hard work, but ultimately you have to fight for what you believe in.”

The soccer standout will take the field for her second FIFA World Cup later this month.

Crystal Dunn was photographed by Ben Watts in St. Lucia.

Ben Watts/Sports Illustrated

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