Even as Anson Dorrance Officially Retired, Women’s Soccer Carried UNC’s Olympic Torch

By David Glenn

 

On the same weekend when legendary North Carolina soccer coach Anson Dorrance announced his retirement, the university’s athletic program was at risk of a rarity: being shut out of gold medals at the Summer Olympics.

Eighteen athletes represented the Tar Heels in France, yet as the weeks-long competition entered its final days, they had earned only a single (bronze) medal. Naya Tapper, a 2016 UNC graduate who didn’t even play a varsity sport (only on club teams) during her time in Chapel Hill, won a bronze with Team USA in rugby sevens.

As Dorrance was stepping down, though, two of his former players were stepping up — for both their country and their alma mater.

Former UNC stars Crystal Dunn (2010-13) and Emily Fox (2017-20), both starting defenders for Team USA at this year’s Olympics, helped the Americans defeat Brazil 1-0 on Saturday in the women’s soccer gold medal match. The Americans finished 6-0 in France, compiling a 12-2 scoring margin.

Crystal Dunn of the United States, right, celebrates after defeating Brazil during the women’s soccer gold medal match between Brazil and the United States at the Parc des Princes during the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024, in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco)

The next day, as Dorrance held his retirement press conference, two of his earliest and ultimately greatest UNC superstars were among the first to congratulate him on social media.

Mia Hamm (1989-93) and Kristine Lilly (1989-92) symbolize both the collegiate dominance and the international impact of Dorrance’s teams and players. Hamm and Lilly were four-time national champions during their time in Chapel Hill, and both later were inducted into the United States Olympic Hall of Fame as three-time Olympians who helped their country claim two gold medals (1996, 2004) and one silver (2000).

 

Overall, Dorrance’s UNC teams won 21 of 42 NCAA championships (once the NCAA started sponsoring women’s soccer in 1982), and his Carolina players have populated literally every American squad that has competed at the Women’s World Cup (created in 1991) and the Summer Olympics (which added women’s soccer in 1996).

Dunn and Fox continued an amazing UNC “forever” streak (see below for complete list) at this year’s Olympic Games. Fun fact: Two additional members of the American team in France, team captain Lindsey Horan and forward Jaedyn Shaw, committed to the Tar Heels as high school prospects but ultimately jumped directly to the professional ranks.

In a sport that allows only 18 players on an active roster, Carolina has provided at least two — and as many as seven — on-field competitors for Team USA at every Summer Olympics.

“Anson is an all-time soccer, coaching and Tar Heel legend,” UNC athletic director Bubba Cunningham said Sunday. “The numbers and accomplishments are staggering and will be hard for any coach or program to replicate or exceed. His impact on the development and growth of women’s sports across the country and around the world has been profound.

“Not only did he elevate women’s sports in the NCAA, but he also led the early dominance of the United States Women’s National Team. With Anson at the helm, numerous Tar Heels raised trophies in the World Cup and later in the Olympics.”

UNC At Summer Olympics
(Women’s Soccer)

1996—Atlanta

Gold: USA
Silver: China
Bronze: Norway

Mia Hamm
Kristine Lilly
Carla Overbeck (captain)
Cindy Parlow
Tiffany Roberts
Tisha Venturini
Staci Wilson

2000—Sydney

Gold: Norway
Silver: USA
Bronze: Germany

Lorrie Fair
Mia Hamm
April Heinrichs (head coach)
Kristine Lilly
Siri Mullinix
Carla Overbeck
Cindy Parlow

2004—Athens

Gold: USA
Silver: Brazil
Bronze: Germany

Mia Hamm
April Heinrichs (head coach)
Kristine Lilly
Heather O’Reilly
Cindy Parlow
Cat Reddick
Lindsay Tarpley

2008—Beijing

Gold: USA
Silver: Brazil
Bronze: Germany

Lori Chalupny
Tobin Heath
Heather O’Reilly
Lindsay Tarpley

2012—London

Gold: USA
Silver: Japan
Bronze: Canada

Tobin Heath
Heather O’Reilly

2016—Rio de Janeiro

Gold: Germany
Silver: Sweden
Bronze: Canada

Crystal Dunn
Whitney Engen
Tobin Heath
Meghan Klingenberg
Allie Long

2021—Tokyo

Gold: Canada
Silver: Sweden
Bronze: USA

Crystal Dunn
Tobin Heath

2024—Paris

Gold: USA
Silver: Brazil
Bronze: Germany

Crystal Dunn
Emily Fox

David Glenn (DavidGlennShow.com, @DavidGlennShow) is an award-winning author, broadcaster, editor, entrepreneur, publisher, speaker, writer and university lecturer (now at UNC Wilmington) who has covered sports in North Carolina since 1987.

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