On February 24th, 2021, Christen Press, a Black woman from California, scored her 60th goal. She’s the highest scoring Black woman to ever play for the national team, and the 9th highest scoring player overall, as well.

That game, the US Women’s National Team’s match against Argentina had six Black women on the roster: Midge Purce, Christen Press, Lynn Williams, Sophia Smith, Crystal Dunn, and Casey Krueger. It was a record-breaking amount for the team, and for many young Black women all across the country watching, it was life-changing, as well.

There’s more work to be done, but those six women were on the roster in large part because of one woman in particular, paving the way for Black girls who dream of playing on the USWNT someday: Kim Crabbe.

Kim Crabbe grew up in Virginia, and played as a forward for the George Mason Patriots. In 1985, Crabbe and the Patriots battled the now famed soccer coach, Anson Dorrance, and the University of North Carolina Tar Heels in the NCAA championship. The Patriots won 2-0, and Crabbe won the respect of Dorrance, who would remember her versatility, tackling ability, and “tremendous pace” when he took over the coaching job for the 1986 USWNT.

Crabbe was called up a few months later, the first Black woman to receive a call up. But interestingly, she was called up as a full back, something that many current USWNT fans have witnessed and expressed their thoughts about with Crystal Dunn and now Midge Purce. Both pacey and clinical finishers, like Crabbe, who for some reason only are rated as fullbacks for USWNT coaches.

Crabbe later said she was “overwhelmed” by the whole experience, but thrilled nonetheless, and “embraced the opportunity,” knowing that she was blazing trails for Black women to come. She is also proud to have been a pioneer in the game, and hopes to see more representation going forward.

Kim Crabbe, while becoming the first Black woman to get a call up, did not cap. That honor went to Sandi Gordon, who became the first Black woman to get capped the following year. Crabbe played with the team until 1988, representing the team in several cups and friendlies but never an official cap, and today, coaches and does community outreach in Wilmington, North Carolina.

Catch Kim’s amazing and insightful interview from Alliance of Protagonist Pods member:
For the Culture Podcast (Episode 63: Part 1)