CARY – The North Carolina Courage will induct women’s soccer legend Crystal Dunn into its 2026 Ring of Honor.

Dunn, who retired from professional soccer earlier this year, will be celebrated July 11 following the Courage match against the Washington Spirit. 

Dunn will be on hand for the match, starting with a pre-match autograph session and a meet-and-greet in FanFest. Exact details on the timing will be shared later. She will then be officially inducted into the Ring of Honor in a post-match ceremony on the field. All fans are encouraged to move to the west-side stands following the final whistle to watch the ceremony.  

Dunn played for the Courage from 2018-2020, helping the team to back-to-back doubles of NWSL Championships and NWSL Shields in 2018 and 2019. She was a member of the NWSL Best XI in 2018, helping the Courage establish one of the greatest single seasons in league history, setting then-records for most wins, most points and most goals scored.  

“We are elated to enshrine Crystal Dunn into our Ring of Honor and celebrate all she contributed to our club and community. Crystal’s talent, work ethic, passion and demeanor helped establish the Courage way. She deserves our club’s highest honor and her permanent place in our club’s history,” Courage CEO and Chairman Steve Malik said.

Dunn was a standout performer at University of North Carolina, earning the 2013 Hermann Trophy while leading the Tar Heels to a national championship, before a legendary career for both club and country.  

She played in 167 professional matches across six clubs, spanning three countries, including four NWSL sides. She began her career with the Washington Spirit before a stint with Chelsea. She returned stateside with her iconic run with the Courage before stints with the Portland Thorns and Gotham FC. She finished her club career with Paris Saint-Germain. Dunn netted 45 goals in her club career. 

Dunn will join Sam Mewis (2024) and Jessica McDonald (2025) as the third member of the exclusive Ring of Honor.

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