U.S. women's soccer tries to overcome its past lack of diversity

https://www.npr.org/2023/01/12/ [login to see] /u-s-womens-soccer-tries-to-overcome-its-past-lack-of-diversity
Crystal Dunn was often the only Black girl on her youth soccer clubs, and even when she finally made it to the national team, she did her own hair and makeup for photo shoots because "there wasn't someone set up for me."

While the U.S. national team has steadily become more representative, Dunn says there's still work to be done. That starts with making sure young women of color feel included all the way down to the youth level.

"I had very supportive parents who explained to me that, 'This is OK, you are still welcome in this sport. And just because there aren't many people that look like you, this is still your game,'" Dunn said. That support was key to her success "because honestly at the end of the day, it's pretty lonely to feel like you're the only one in this space and to not feel as if you belong."