
Rangers' heart questioned as title hopes all but ended at Tynecastle
Rangers' title aspirations fade with a 2-1 defeat to Hearts at Tynecastle.
USMNT captain Tyler Adams and World Cup champion Crystal Dunn discuss the unseen support systems behind their success in soccer. They emphasize the importance of wellness, identity, and cultural grounding as the sport grows in the U.S.
Mentioned in this story
Haleon , For The Assist campaign
In an exclusive for TheGrio.com, the two stars reflect on wellness, identity, and the unseen support systems fueling their careers as soccerās cultural footprint expands in the U.S.
Long before the stadium lights come on, the real work is already happening. For U.S. Soccer stars Tyler Adams and Crystal Dunn, success isnāt just about what fans see on the field, itās rooted in the routines, relationships, and cultural grounding that keep them steady. Those āassists,ā often invisible to the public, are what make it possible to show up, perform, and represent at the highest level.
For Crystal Dunn, a 33-year-old World Cup champion and Olympic gold medalist, this chapter of her life is about the ultimate balancing act. A native of New Hyde Park, New York, Dunn has long been the pride of Long Island, carrying the energy of her upbringing into every match. Now, as a mother to a four-year-old son, her definition of an āassistā has evolved to include the discipline of self-care and the intentionality of raising a mixed-race child in a multi-cultural household.
Tyler Adams and Crystal Dunn highlight the importance of wellness routines and self-care as essential components of their success in soccer.
They reflect on their personal identities and the cultural grounding that shapes their experiences as Black athletes in soccer.
Crystal Dunn discusses the balancing act of motherhood and professional sports, particularly in raising a mixed-race child in a multicultural environment.
Adams and Dunn note that the increasing visibility and representation of Black athletes are contributing to soccer's growth and cultural significance in America.

Rangers' title aspirations fade with a 2-1 defeat to Hearts at Tynecastle.
Tyrod Taylor joins the Packers as a backup to Jordan Love for the 2026 season.
Eagles secure Jon Ferrari and Dom DiSandro with contract extensions as front office shifts occur.
UCL Semifinals: Is Kvaratskhelia the most fun player? What to expect?
Dodgers' Ohtani to Start Pitching vs. Mets, Will Not Hit
See every story in Sports ā including breaking news and analysis.
Tyler Adams, the 27-year-old captain of the U.S. Menās National Team and a defining face of modern American soccer, shares that New York grit. Raised in Wappingers Falls, Adams credits his motherās early sacrifices for his rise from the Red Bulls Academy to AFC Bournemouth in the English Premier League. His commitment to the region is permanent: he maintains strong roots in the Empire State as the owner of the Hudson Valley Hammers and a member of the ownership group for Westchester SC, which began play in 2025. For Adams, investing in local soccer is the ultimate way to provide a ladder for the next generation of players who look like him.
In an exclusive with TheGrio.com, both athletes opened up about what that support really looks like beyond the highlight reels and headline moments.
That idea sits at the center of a new campaign from Haleon, the consumer health company behind brands like Advil, Sensodyne, TUMS, and Centrum. In partnership with U.S. Soccer, the āFor the Assistā campaign highlights the smaller, often overlooked moments that lead to big outcomes whether thatās a game-winning goal or simply making it through a demanding day.
But for Adams and Dunn, the concept goes far beyond product placement.
āI think thereās so many more assists in my life that have helped me get to that moment,ā Adams said, pointing not just to physical recovery, but to his family, his upbringing, and even the setbacks that shaped him. āSome of them [are] being successful⦠some of them [are] making an error in a game and having to bounce back from itā.
That perspective shows up in how he leads. As a headman, Adams says his approach isnāt just about performance, but itās about connection.
āFor myself playing abroad right now, I know what itās like to be a foreigner⦠almost be a little bit of an outcast,ā Adams explained. Because of that, he views his role as an āassistā for the next generation of Black fans and players. āI know how much the game has to offer to underserved communities, to Black communities, to people that look like meā.
For Dunn, those āassistsā carry the same weight.
āTaking care of myself is really having a routine that I donāt stray from,ā she said, describing the discipline it takes to prioritize her health while balancing a global career. From daily habits to carving out personal time, sheās intentional about showing up for herself so she can show up for others. āIf I canāt be healthy and strong for myself, I definitely canāt be that for my kidā.
Thereās also a deeper layer to how both athletes think about support, especially as Black players navigating a sport that hasnāt always centered their communities. Dunn is particularly vocal about the specific pressures faced by Black women in the spotlight, where āstrengthā is often a requirement rather than a choice.
āBeing a woman of color, at times we have to pick and choose when and how we advocate for ourselves,ā Dunn shared. She noted that Black women are often unfairly tagged with labels like āaggressiveā or āangryā when they stand up for themselves. For her, the ultimate assist is making sure she isnāt the last one through the door. āThe most important thing of my career to achieve⦠is passing that baton and making sure you leave your space better than when you found itā.
That authenticity extends to how she presents herself to the world. Dunn points out that for many, the conversation around Black culture is centered around hair, an area where she loves to experiment. By pushing that culture to the forefront, she is showing up not just as an athlete, but as a Black woman who happens to play sports.
Adams echoed that sentiment, pointing to the visible shift in who is showing up to the gameāand who feels like they belong there. He sees the rise of style and identity, like the pregame ātunnel walk,ā as a way for players to express their true selves.
āWhen I see young Black girls and boys playing soccer, I just know now that this sport has really reached a different demographic,ā Dunn said. āItās tapped into communities that just needed an extra push to see this game growā.
As the sport continues to grow in the U.S., especially with major tournaments on the horizon and more culturally diverse cities like Houston embracing the game, this moment feels bigger than just soccer. Itās about visibility. Itās about access. And itās about redefining what support looks like at the highest level.
Both Adams and Dunn are evidence that no one gets there alone. Behind every big moment is a network of small, consistent efforts. The early mornings. The recovery days. The lessons learned from failure. The people who show up, day after day.
The assists.
More must-reads: