Gotham FC has mutually agreed to part ways with Crystal Dunn, the team announced Tuesday.
The USWNT midfielder had joined Gotham as a free agent ahead of the 2024 season, with the split coming just one year into a three-year contract.
NWSL sources, speaking anonymously as they were not authorized to publicly discuss trade talks, told The Athletic that Gotham initially explored trading Dunn within the league, including discuissions with the Seattle Reign. Ultimately, no deal ever materialized due to the club’s asking price for the versatile veteran.
“I can’t even find the words to express how incredibly sad I am,” Dunn, 32, wrote in an Instagram post about the news. “Though my journey continues elsewhere, I am at least grateful to have played at home in front of my friends and family for even a short while. I’ll carry those memories with me always.”
Dunn was among several marquee acquisitions made by Gotham on the back of its 2023 NWSL title. She, along with USWNT teammates Rose Lavelle, Tierna Davidson and Emily Sonnett, added considerable quality to the defending champs, helping lead them to a third-place finish in the season-end standings and a run to the semifinal. Gotham lost on penalty kicks against eventual runners-up Washington Spirit.
Dunn was also part of…
