The United States women's national team does not share the idea that its best days are behind it and welcomes the increased level of competition it is seeing globally, defender Crystal Dunn said Saturday.
The most successful team in the history of international women's soccer struggled to create chances in its 2-0 loss to Mexico in the group stage of the Concacaf Gold Cup W on Monday, raising fresh concerns that they were falling behind the rest of the world.
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“We don't talk a lot about external narratives that people want to take control of,” Dunn told reporters before Sunday's quarterfinal match against Colombia in Los Angeles.
“We live in a world where we forget that multiple truths can exist. As members of the US women's national team, we always enter this environment doing our best, raising the bar and pushing this game forward.
“At the same time, we are very excited about the growth of the game and are always challenging other federations to also invest resources in their national teams.”
The four-time World Cup champion had her worst performance in a Women's World Cup last year, being eliminated in the round of 16. Her mainstays Megan Rapinoe and Julie Ertz have since retired.
Last year, the team appointed veteran Chelsea FC coach Emma Hayes to lead the team into a new era, a role she will take up in May, two months before the Paris Olympics. Until then, Twila Kilgore will continue to coach the team on an interim basis.
“The DNA of this team is very similar,” Dunn, 31, said.
“We have new players, yes, but at the end of the day we are always chasing success, always harnessing new momentum.
“We are very excited about this quarterfinal against Colombia and we also know that they are going to give their best.
“That's to be expected and we're going to do the same.”
Reuters reporting contributed to this report.
