Crystal Dunn is technically a defender — except she’s hardly ever on defense.
She is a left back on the United States women’s national team, but she’s also a huge attacking threat.
She makes runs up the sideline, beating opposing defenders to deliver dangerous crossing passes or to create her own shots.
“When you talk about left backs, you don’t think, ‘Wow an exciting player,’ but she’s an exciting player,” said Paul Riley, the head coach of the Carolina Courage, Dunn’s club team.
Dunn plays forward for the Courage and is currently the second-leading goal scorer in the National Women’s Soccer League.
But for the talent-rich United States, the versatile Dunn will start on defense. And she will be asked to bring a forward’s attacking mindset with her.
“I know when I do play the attacking role, I annoy defenders,” Dunn said.
While wearing motion-capture sensors, she showed us one way that she beats the opposing defense …
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