Five former Carolina student-athletes win the 2019 World Cup
Seven Tar Heels competed in the tournament, representing three countries.
Update 7/7/19: The United States defeated the Netherlands 2-0 to win the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup. It is the second World Cup victory for Tar Heels Tobin Heath and Ashlynn Harris, and the first for Crystal Dunn, Allie Long and Jessica McDonald.
The U.S. Women’s National Team at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup had a significant tint of Carolina blue to go with the red and white.
Five alumnae who played at Carolina for legendary coach Anson Dorrance were on the team’s roster of 23 players. Carolina led all American colleges in 2019 U.S. World Cup selections.
Forward Tobin Heath ’10, who participated in her third World Cup, and goalkeeper Ashlynn Harris ’10, who joined for the second time, defended their title from the 2015 World Cup in Canada. Heath’s goal in the Vancouver final helped America capture its third World Cup title with a 5-2 victory against Japan.
Three Tar Heels — defender Crystal Dunn ’14, midfielder Allie Long ’09 and forward Jessica McDonald ’10 — played in their first World Cup.
Two other Tar Heels represented their home countries in France.
Defender Lucy Bronze, who played for the Tar Heels in 2009 and led Carolina to a national championship that season, played for England for the second time at the World Cup. She was named to the All-Tournament Team in 2015.
Katie Bowen ’16 played for New Zealand. She also made her second World Cup appearance. Bowen helped Carolina win its 21st NCAA championship in 2012 and played for New Zealand at the 2015 World Cup before her senior season in Chapel Hill.
The Women’s World Cup began in 1991. Half of the players on that first American team, which Dorrance coached, played for Carolina.
Update 7/4/19: The U.S. Women’s National Team will play against the Netherlands on Sunday. The five Tar Heels from the United States will go against another former Carolina student-athlete Sarina Wiegman, who coaches the Netherlands.
