The FIFA Women’s World Cup kicks off July 20 in Australia and New Zealand, and while all the action will be on the other side of the world, there are plenty of stars who’ve called the South home over the years. Cheer on these seven Southern standouts as the U.S. Women’s National Team goes for their third straight World Cup championship.
Crystal Dunn
Position: Defender
This will be the second World Cup appearance by the veteran defender and former University of North Carolina star. When Dunn joined the Tar Heels in 2010, it wasn’t lost on her that she was part of a program that churned out top talent—including Mia Hamm and Kristine Lilly, two of the all-time greats. She lived up to those expectations, leading UNC to the NCAA championship her junior year. At the World Cup, expect Dunn’s explosive approach to again make her one of the most important players on the pitch.
Emily Fox
Position: Defender
Born in Ashburn, Virginia, the star defender graduated high school early to pursue soccer at the next level at the University of North Carolina. Post-college, Fox was a number-one draft pick and now plays for the North Carolina Courage in Cary. Despite two major ACL injuries in her career, the twenty-five-year-old up-and-comer is expected to be a big contributor Down Under.
Emily Sonnett
Position: Defender
The USWNT announced their World Cup roster via a fun video featuring lots of famous faces. When it came time to give Marietta, Georgia, native and University of Virginia alum Sonnett a shout-out, it came from fellow UVA-er Tina Fey: “USA! UVA! Guess ‘Hoos’ going to her second World Cup? Congratulations Emily Sonnett on being named to your second World Cup roster.” If the team earns their third straight World Cup championship, you may even find Sonnett celebrating at Waffle House. The defender has shared that, fittingly, her favorite order is the All-Star Special.
Andi Sullivan
Position: Midfielder
The midfielder and captain of the D.C.-based Washington Spirit lives in Leesburg, Virginia, with her husband, Drew Skundrich, who is also a professional soccer player. In the off-season, the couple has been spotted at Schmidt’s Barbecue, a local favorite. Sullivan was raised in nearby Lorton, Virginia, and played for local soccer clubs before heading to Stanford, where she helped lead the team to a national championship.
Aubrey Kingsbury
Position: Goalkeeper
The goalkeeper for the Washington Spirit, Kingsbury was a captain at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where the three-time all-American holds the school’s record for shut-outs, goals against average, minutes played in goal, and number of games played and started. While veteran keeper Alyssa Naeher—who has helped lead the U.S. to two World Cup championships—is the clear starter, Kingsbury (along with Casey Murphy, a keeper for the North Carolina Courage), will be ready to get in the net if needed.
Solai Washington
Position: Midfielder
It’s been a big couple of months for the Chamblee, Georgia, teenager: not only was she designated the 2022–23 Gatorade Georgia High School Soccer Player of the Year after helping her high school win back-to-back state championships, but she was also named to Jamaica’s World Cup roster. While Jamaica is a huge longshot—2019 was the first year the “Reggae Girlz” qualified for the World Cup and they’ve yet to win a match—they hope to be more competitive this year with young talent like Washington leading the charge.
Isabella Pasion
Position: Midfielder
Sixteen-year-old Pasion is a star player at Lebanon Trail High School in Frisco, Texas, and among the youngest players to ever be named to a World Cup, tapped to represent the Philippines. And while she’s unlikely to get playing time unless there’s an injury amongst the starters, she’ll still have plenty to talk about when she returns to school in the fall.
