The most dominant women’s soccer program of all time has produced another group of World Cup players.
It is well documented that North Carolina women’s soccer is the most dominant soccer team in college history, if not of all sports. They have won 21(!) national championships, 23 ACC titles, and 7 Hermann Trophy winners. When the Women’s World Cup rolls around, it is likely to include multiple former Tar Heels on different rosters. This coming World Cup will be no exception.
There are two North Carolina alumni playing for the United States.
Crystal Dunn: A truly dynamic athlete, Dunn can play any position in the field. She was a member of the 2019 World Cup team that won it all. In her six starts that tournament, she played every minute. Dunn played for North Carolina from 2010 to 2013, winning the prestigious Herrman Trophy and a national championship. She is among the many notable Tar Heel soccer players.
Emily Fox: A defender who played at UNC from 2017 until 2020, Fox will be playing in her first World Cup at the senior level. In college, Fox overcame injuries to be one of the best players in the country. She was a Herrman Trophy semifinalist and is now one of the best players in the NWSL.
Three former Tar Heels will play for England.
Lucy Bronze: A Tar Heel in 2009, Bronze won a national championship. She is one of the best players in the world. In 2020, that was confirmed when Bronze was named the Best FIFA Women’s Player in the World. She has starred for England and plays for Barcelona at the club level.
Alessia Russo: One of the most sought-after players in the world, Russo played for North Carolina from 2016 to 2019. Also a Herrman Trophy semifinalist, Russo was dominant throughout her junior year. She scored 28 goals with the Tar Heels and was always a threat. Russo received world record contract offers just this year from clubs trying to pry her away from Manchester United.
Lotte Wubben-Moy: Being teammates with Russo at North Carolina, Wubben-Moy played college ball from 2017 to 2019. A dominant defender, she has played for Arsenal since her departure. She will be playing in her first World Cup for the senior team.
With such a storied history, it is no surprise that the Tar Heels will have players representing in the World Cup. Both the United States and England will likely go far in the world’s greatest soccer tournament.
