UNC Soccer alums help USWNT win gold at the Paris Olympics
The US Women's National Team has won gold in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
🥇 OLYMPIC CHAMPIONS! 🥇
— UNC Women's Soccer (@uncwomenssoccer) August 10, 2024
Crystal Dunn, Emily Fox and the @USWNT are coming back from Paris as Olympic gold medalists! #GoHeels x #OlympiansMadeHere pic.twitter.com/8uUzAunbCY
Team USA has returned to its perch on top of women's world soccer, thanks in large part to two Tar Heels that anchor both edges of the defense. Crystal Dunn (class of 2013) and Emily Fox (class of 2020) started every single match in the Olympics. Dunn played out as a left-back when coach Emma Hayes deployed a traditional 4-3-3 formation, and as a left wingback when Hayes switched to a 3-4-3 formation against Germany and 3-5-2 against Australia. Fox played at right-back in the 4-3-3, and as the right-sided centerback in the Germany and Australia games.
Together, the two Tar Heels were excellent for Team USA, helping the Americans concede just two goals in the entire tournament (one each against Germany and Australia. Team USA kept four clean sheets, and won all of their knock-out games 1-0, showing a steely resolve at the back.
All of that experience and guile was needed against a game Brazil squad that made life difficult for the USWNT. Brazil got a shot on goal in the second minute of play, and looked dangerous in build-up and attack. Dunn and Fox were pulled wide to defend the wings, and Brazil found space inside, but US goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher was completely switched on and focused. She saved all four of Brazil's shots on targets, and was busy defending against 13 shot attempts, compared to USA's nine.
This gold medal will help salve some of the wounds from a comparatively poor showing in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics tournament (played in 2021 with no crowds). Crystal Dunn was on that team that won bronze against Australia, but dropped games against Sweden and Canada. Now she gets that elusive gold medal to put on her mantle.
For the younger Emily Fox, the going was a little easier. This was her first Olympic tournament, and she capped it with gold. Dunn and Fox will soon return to their professional clubs--NJ/NY Gotham FC and Arsenal, respectively--in the very near future. Congratulations to two great Tar Heels!