Consolidated USWNT star arrives to raise PSG's profile | OneFootball

That next stage of Crystal Dunn's career has taken flight across the waters at Paris Saint-Germain. The all-versatile, 32-year-old USWNT player will have left NJ/NY Gotham FC to head back to European soccer, giving reinforcements to an advancing PSG trying to close out with Lyon for contention on a neutral basis within the UEFA Women's Champions League.

Experienced, versatile, and a proven winner, Dunn brings with her a wealth of experience that will transform PSG and make her stand out in European soccer, just like her USWNT teammate Lindsey Horan.

Crystal Dunn's impact at PSG

PSG didn't sign Crystal Dunn by accident. Clearly, the club understands that something more is needed in order for the team to fight back against Lyon and Paris FC and survive on the European arena. In addition, the USWNT star can act both as a fullback and midfielder.

The rare trait about Dunn is her adaptability without losing effectiveness. In the United States, she was an integral part of a few NWSL clubs that used her as a midfielder, fullback, and even a forward, depending on the need for tactical flexibility. At PSG, her versatility could be an asset.

However, those qualities shine through in Dunn. Her time at Chelsea in 2017/18 already showed she was good for European soccer; now, more mature, the move to Paris feels like a natural fit.

But why PSG?

After all, she could have stayed in NWSL. She was a starter at Gotham FC, had won titles with Portland Thorns, and her career in the United States already made her a reference in women's soccer. What then led her to accept this new challenge?

Maybe the answer is in the international factor. PSG is on the rise, and it is a team that regularly plays in the UEFA Women's Champions League, something the NWSL does not. A chance to play at the elite level of European soccer might have been a determining factor in Dunn's decision, given she has won everything in the United States and now looks for a challenge to extend her legacy even more.

With Crystal Dunn, can PSG fight for titles? The arrival of Dunn will elevate PSG to a higher level, but there are doubts about how much the team will actually be able to fight with Lyon, an isolated leader of the French league and a longtime reference to women's soccer.

The experience of a multi-time USWNT champion would be very important during those moments. Dunn has won NWSL titles and is a FIFA Women's World Cup champion with the USWNT, so she does know her way around high-pressure soccer. If she settles into French soccer right away and ends up becoming the key piece, then yes, PSG might indeed take that step forward.