U.S. women’s national team, U.S. Soccer reach historic pact

The U.S. Soccer Federation and women’s national team have made history, reaching an equal pay agreement. Both sides announced the deal early Tuesday morning.

U.S. Soccer agreed to solve the women’s national team’s equal pay claims for $24 million. The agreement will be settled by the district court after the sides reach a new collective bargaining agreement.

As part of this settlement, U.S. Soccer agrees to give the U.S. women’s national team and the men’s national team an equal pay rate in all friendlies and tournaments, including the FIFA women’s and men’s World Cups.

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This landmark settlement sends an important message for girls and boys everywhere: equal pay for equal work. The deal settles the claims of the women’s national team in a lawsuit that had been pending since March 2019.

“We are pleased to announce that, contingent on the negotiation of a new collective bargaining agreement, we will have resolved our longstanding dispute over equal pay and proudly stand together in a shared commitment to advancing equality in soccer,” the sides announced in a joint statement. “Getting to this day has not been easy.

“The U.S. Women’s National Team players have achieved unprecedented success while working to achieve equal pay for themselves and future athletes.”

U.S. women’s national team set world standard

With legendary figures such as Michelle Akers and Mia Hamm all the way down to Abby Wambach, Carli Lloyd, Hope Solo and Alex Morgan, the U.S. women’s national team has long been considered the world’s women’s soccer power.

The U.S. has won four FIFA Women’s World Cups, including the last two in 2015 and 2019. The U.S. has also won gold medals at four Olympic women’s soccer tournaments – 1996, 2004, 2008 and 2012.

Conversely, the U.S. men’s national soccer team has failed to reach the Olympics in the last three cycles. Even worse, the U.S. men failed to reach the last FIFA World Cup.

Recognizing rich history

“Today, we recognize the legacy of the past USWNT leaders who helped to make this day possible, as well as all of the women and girls who will follow,” the women’s national team and U.S. Soccer said in a statement. “Together, we dedicate this moment to them.

“We look forward to continuing to work together to grow women’s soccer and advance opportunities for young girls and women in the United States and across the globe.”

As part of the settlement, the sides have asked the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit to remove from the schedule the oral arguments that were scheduled for March 7, 2022, on the appeal.

Today is a great day and the work will always continue! To those of us fighting tirelessly within our workplace for equity, equality and respect, thank u! I’m proud to be a 👌🏽 part of this powerful group!

“USWNT and US Soccer Settle Equal Pay Lawsuit.” https://t.co/fpI4iKX5ji

— Ali Krieger (@alikrieger) February 22, 2022

U.S. Soccer will pay the players who were part of the lawsuit a combined $22 million in the case. The money will be distributed as the players proposed, which the district court approved.

The other $2 million in the settlement will be put in a fund to benefit the USWNT players’ “post-career goals and charitable efforts related to women’s and girls’ soccer. Per the agreement, each player who was part of the lawsuit can apply for up to $50,000 from that $2 million fund.

“Today is a great day and the work will always continue!” Ali Krieger tweeted. ”To those of us fighting tirelessly within our workplace for equity, equality and respect, thank u! I’m proud to be a ?? part of this powerful group!”