UNC Soccer

Podcast: Anson Dorrance’s dynasties

UNC Women's Soccer coach Anson Dorrance discusses how his two dynasties come together at the World Cup — when former Carolina student-athletes represent their countries on the world’s biggest stage. He also discusses the Tar Heels' return to campus after playing home games at Finley Fields for two years while a new stadium was under construction. (UNC.edu)

The 1999 U.S. women's national team: Instant icons, lasting legends

Mia Hamm: "What I think is unique is that we had certain standards that were unwavering. You had to be tough. You had to be fit. You had to be committed to working hard. But we celebrated everyone being who they were. And you didn't have to fit in a certain mold as a player as long as you bought into our core principles as a team." (ESPN.com)

Crystal Dunn Will Attack From Everywhere

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. Dunn plays forward for the Carolina Courage. (New York Times)

Anson Dorrance Q&A, part two: On coaching the national team and World Cup predictions

Anson Dorrance: "To be excellent in anything is actually mundane. It’s basically about grinding. It’s about putting more quality time into that exercise, or that discipline, than anyone else. And that’s the way you become extraordinary. So it’s a question of commitment, time, intensity, and focus. It’s not a trick. There’s nothing complex about excellence." (Daily Tar Heel)

Meet Crystal Dunn and Allie Long, the two Long Islanders playing in the World Cup

Two players on the U.S. women's national team began their soccer journeys on Long Island. Crystal Dunn grew up in Rockville Centre and starred at South Side High School, and Allie Long was a four-year star at Northport High School. Both figure to see significant playing time in the World Cup in France. This is Dunn's first appearance in the World Cup. (Newsday)

Anson Dorrance Q&A: UNC legend discusses team-building, new edition of his book

Anson Dorrance: "You don’t develop in a recreational environment. You develop when someone’s pushing you. You develop psychological strength when you compete, and you develop a standard for your own excellence if someone else is trying to compete against you. That’s the environment we wanted to structure, and that’s what separates our culture." (Daily Tar Heel)

Tobin Heath's nutmeg was the highlight of Team USA's dominant Women's World Cup opener

The U.S. Women's National Team got off to a fiery start at the Women's World Cup, seemingly scoring at will during their opening match against Thailand. While many of the goals were impressive in their own right, the highlight of the first half came from Tobin Heath, who sent a defender to the ground with a devastating nutmeg while attacking Thailand's goal. (Business Insider)

A guide to the seven Tar Heels taking part in the Women’s World Cup

Five of the seven Tar Heels in the Women's World Cup are members of the USA roster. Those five are Crystal Dunn, Ashlyn Harris, Tobin Heath, Allie Long, and Jessica McDonald. Dunn and Heath both have been regular starters for the United States over the past couple months and probably will be in the starting eleven against Thailand at 3:00 ET on Tuesday. (Tar Heel Blog)

Women's National Soccer Team Star Crystal Dunn Says She's 'Excited' Ahead of Her First World Cup

It’ll be the first World Cup for Crystal Dunn, who was the last player cut from the previous World Cup team in 2015 and is now looking forward to joining her new teammates in France. “I’m really excited,” she tells PEOPLE. “I’m just prepared for whatever — it’s a really long tournament so I’m just staying focused on what’s in front of me.” (People)

U.S. forward Tobin Heath at top of her game ahead of third World Cup

Tobin Heath burst onto the world soccer stage in 2008, making a name for herself with her technical ability and flair on the ball. But that flair didn’t always translate into her getting on the scoresheet. That has changed over the last three years. The 31-year-old forward has scored 30 goals in 150 career appearances for the United States Women's National Team. (Oregon Live)

Crystal Dunn readies for Women's World Cup after getting cut in 2015

Crystal Dunn was among the last cuts from the U.S. national team roster for the 2015 Women’s World Cup in Canada. That just made her all the more determined to get to France. Dunn is expected to start for the defending champions, one of 24 teams competing in this year’s tournament. The Americans open play Tuesday with a match against Thailand. (Associated Press)

Allie Long and her journey to her first Women’s World Cup

Allie Long was on the bubble. As speculation grew earlier this year about who would be on coach Jill Ellis’ squad for the Women’s World Cup, Long was busy rehabbing a knee injury and hoping to get a chance to be on the US team that would play in France. When the callups international friendlies were announced, Long’s name was no where to be found. (Tacoma News Tribune)

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