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Washington Spirit and USWNT forward Crystal Dunn has signed with Chelsea Ladies FC. Dunn signed a contract that lasts until 2018. She will not be returning to the Spirit next season.
The Spirit drafted Dunn in 2014 and she has excelled for the club, particularly in 2015 when she scored 15 goals. While Dunn didn’t make the 2015 World Cup roster, she was part of the 2016 Olympic squad.
Dunn’s departure is the latest in a series of trades and exits that have stripped the Spirit of many key players that helped lead the club to the NWSL Championship last fall. There have been widespread reports of player discontent with club ownership. In an interview with Washington Post’s Steven Goff, Dunn denied that discontent was an impetus to her exit.
“Of course it hurts to lose such a talented player,” said Washington Spirit head coach and general manager Jim Gabarra. ”But this is professional sports, and every time there’s a roster spot open it creates opportunities for others."