THERE was a time only a few years back when just playing the game was enough for Crystal Dunn.

But a combination of factors — from the unrest following the shooting of Jacob Blake last year, to the pandemic, to the national team’s ongoing fight for equal pay — have made Dunn intent on speaking out and taking action.

She’s taken on a role as vice-president and secretary of the US Women’s National Team Players’ Association and is active in negotiations for a new labour contract.

Dunn feels it’s important to speak out as a woman of colour, and to use that voice at the negotiating table. But it’s definitely taken her out of her comfort zone.

“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,” she said. 

“But I think 2020, like the rest of the world, has made us realise that it’s OK to hit pause and actually focus on other things and narrow in on other things that you’re passionate about.”

It’s been an evolution for the 29-year-old, who was disappointed when she was among the last cuts for the 2015 Women’s World Cup. Rather than mope about being left off, Dunn poured herself into her club team, the Washington Spirit, scoring 15 goals in 20 games and winning the Golden Boot award and Most Valuable Player that year.

Jill Ellis, then the national team coach, took notice and named Dunn to one of 18 spots on the 2016 Olympic team. Dunn has been a regular ever since, and was in the squad that won the 2019 World Cup final.

With the union, Dunn is having to navigate something different from playing time. The current collective bargaining agreement expires on December 31.

She joins players’ association President Becky Sauerbrunn and Sam Mewis, vice-president and treasurer, at the negotiating table. The group has three overarching goals: Equality and fairness in compensation, respect in the form of professional working conditions and balance between club and international duties.

US Soccer announced in September that it was offering the women’s and men’s senior national teams identical contracts. The men's contract expired at the end of 2018. The federation also proposed that the men and women hammer out the equitable distribution of World Cup prize money — a big sticking point.

Dunn, who plays professionally for the Portland Thorns, is hopeful a new contract can be reached by the end of the year.