After narrowly missing 2015 World Cup, Crystal Dunn is ready for France

Crystal Dunn was the final player cut from the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team prior to the 2015 World Cup.

The news was a painful blow to Dunn, who watched from home as the U.S. went on to win the tournament for the third time.

"I was in a low, low place," she told AOL.com of the days following the decision.

The forward didn't let her sadness keep her down, though. She still had a season to play with the North Carolina Courage and preparations to make for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

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"I went out and really tried to get back to the basics and perform for my teammates," Dunn said. "It was important for me to just reset and regroup."

Four years later, that hard work paid off, and Dunn is heading to her first World Cup to help the U.S. defend its title. The tournament is being held in France from June 7 to July 7. After a disappointing showing in Rio, where the U.S. failed to advance to the gold medal game for the first time ever, Dunn is looking forward to a different style of competition.

"There's nothing like a World Cup," she said. "This moment is what girls dream of."

The team heading to the tournament this year, Dunn emphasizes, is a fun group to watch due to their creativity on the field and attractive style of play. The roster is rounded out by popular stars including Carli Lloyd, Julie Ertz, Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe.

Once the whistle sounds to start the team's first match come June, it will be a rush of relief for Dunn and a culmination of four years of hard work to make it to that cherished moment.

"It's important to go out and not take it lightly," she said of the World Cup. "Whenever I wear the U.S. crest, I always feel like it's such a true honor."

See more from Dunn's career: