Meet the two Long Islanders playing in the World Cup
Credit: Doug Pensinger
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. Here's a look at what you need to know about the two hometown heroes:
Crystal Dunn
Position: Defender
Number: 19
Hometown: Rockville Centre
Date of birth: July 3, 1992
Crystal Dunn #19 of United States looks to cross the ball against South Africa during their International Friendly at Levi's Stadium on May 12, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. Credit: Getty Images/Robert Reiners
High School: South Side (2010)
College: University of North Carolina with a degree in Sociology
Pro team: North Carolina Courage
Personal: Daughter of Vincent and Rhonda Dunn, has one brother, Terry.
United States midfielder Allie Long is introduced during a send-off ceremony ahead of the FIFA Women's World Cup after an international friendly soccer match against Mexico, Sunday, May 26, 2019, in Harrison, N.J. The U.S. won 3-0. Credit: AP/Julio Cortez
Twitter: @crysdunn_19
Instagram: @cdunn19
Career highlights:
- In high school, Dunn won state titles in 2006, 2007 and 2009. She missed the 2008 season to play in the FIFA U-17 World Cup, where Team USA took silver. Dunn was named to Newsday’s All-Long Island girls soccer first team three times and was Newsday’s player of the year in 2009. She also won New York State Gatorade High School Player of the Year award that season.
- Earned a scholarship to North Carolina, where she wore Mia Hamm’s retired number 19 at the request of Hamm herself.
- Finished her college career with 31 goals and 25 assists in 80 games, and won the 2012 Hermann Award, given annually to the top women’s and men’s college soccer players.
- Led the Tar Heels to a national title in 2012 and is the only player to win both ACC offensive player of the year (2013) and ACC defensive player of the year (2012, 2010). She also was the first player since Hamm to win ACC player of the year honors three times.
- Was the first overall pick by the Wasington Spirit in the 2014 National Women’s Soccer League draft.
- This is Dunn's first appearance in the World Cup. She was the last player cut from the national team before the 2015 World Cup.
- Played for the U.S. team in the 2016 Olympics.
Allie Long
Position: Midfielder
Number: 20
Hometown: Born in Huntington, raised in Northport
Date of birth: Aug. 13, 1987
High School: Northport High School (2005)
College: University of North Carolina with a degree in Exercise and Sports Science
Pro team: Reign FC
Personal: Daughter of Jim and Barbara Long, has a younger brother, Patrick.
Twitter: @ALLIE_LONG
Instragram: @allie_long_
Career highlights:
- Was Newsday's player of the year in 2004 and 2005 while at Northport High School. The Tigers were undefeated in the regular season during her four years.
- Won a national championship as a senior at UNC.
- Won two titles with the Portland Thorns FC in the National Women's Soccer League.
- Played for the U.S. team in the 2016 Olympics. This is Long's first appearance in the World Cup.
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