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The U.S. Women's Soccer Team Staged a Powerful Protest at Their Last Game


If you thought the U.S. Women’s Soccer Team was going to stay quiet about recent outrageous comments by U.S. Soccer regarding their equal pay lawsuit, you don’t know this USWNT.

In case you missed it, earlier this week court filings revealed some of the arguments U.S. Soccer (the team’s employer) is making as part of their argument that female players do not deserve the same pay as the men. (The USWNT sued the organization for gender discrimination in March 2019.) Among the U.S. Soccer claims are “biological differences” that they say prove the men’s team “requires a higher level of skill” and that “the job of a [men’s national team player] carries more responsibility within U.S. Soccer than the job of a [women’s national team] player.”

Megan Rapinoe and the rest of the women’s team had something to say about that. On March 11, the team was playing (ironically enough) for the She Believes Cup championship and chose to wear their warm-up shirts inside out during the National Anthem, hiding the U.S. Soccer crest in protest. “We just wanted to do something as team to show solidarity not only with ourselves but with all the little girls that those words were spoken to and the little boys and women out there as well who have been told that they are lesser than, just because of who they are,” Rapinoe said in The Guardian.

What was still showing, however, were the four stars representing the four World Cup titles the team has won. “We always feel like the most important and the most powerful thing is to play,” Rapinoe continued. “What we do on the field I think is the most powerful and inspirational, so it actually turned out that the only thing that was truly visible was our accomplishments, the stars on top, so that was a little unintended bonus. But we just wanted to show that that kind of rhetoric is obviously completely unacceptable. I know that we’re in a contentious fight but that crossed a line completely.”

Many fans on Twitter expressed their support for the women’s team.

Rapinoe talked about the damage caused by the information learned in the court filings. “It’s undertones and undercurrents, sometimes blatantly, that we’ve experienced before which is why we’ve filed the gender discrimination lawsuit,” she told The Guardian. “But for them to go that low and take it there in this lawsuit is not just disappointing for us, but more so for what it says to every other person in the country, every kid growing up, not only girls but the boys as well. You’re not lesser because you’re a girl and you’re not better because you’re a boy.”

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Apparently, U.S. Soccer took notice because as the She Believes Cup was ending, the organization’s president Carlos Cordeiro issued an apology. “On behalf of U.S. Soccer, I sincerely apologize for the offense and pain caused by language in this week’s court filing, which did not reflect the values of our Federation or our tremendous admiration of our Women’s National Team,” he said in a statement, per ESPN. “Our WNT players are incredibly talented and work tirelessly, as they have demonstrated time and again from their Olympic Gold medals to their World Cup titles.”

Cordeiro also said they are adding new legal counsel to their team. “I have made it clear to our legal team that even as we debate facts and figures in the course of this case,” he continued, “We must do so with the utmost respect not only for our Women’s National Team players but for all female athletes around the world. As we do, we will continue to work to resolve this suit in the best interest of everyone involved.”

Well, we suppose that’s a start.



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U.S. Soccer Argued Biological Differences Justify Paying the Women's Team Less, According to Court Filings


Last summer when the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team won the World Cup (their fourth) in France, the stadium erupted into chants of “Equal pay!” Despite the women’s team’s total dominance, they’re paid less than their male counterparts, an issue that came to a head in March 2019 when the players sued U.S. Soccer for gender discrimination.

Back in August 2019, we learned talks between the two parties had broken down—and a new court filing this week gives us insight, perhaps, into why.

Per Buzzfeed, the documents show one of the arguments against equal pay being made by U.S. Soccer lawyers is that, under the Equal Pay Act, “The job of a [men’s national team player] carries more responsibility within U.S. Soccer than the job of a [women’s national team] player.” Excuse me?!?

You remember the USWNT, of course, as the winners of last year’s World Cup which turned stars like Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan, and Ashlyn Harris into household names for people who’d never even watched a game before then. Unless you’re a big soccer fan, you’re probably less familiar with the men’s team who have had, well, a lot less success in recent years as the women’s team dominates.

But, wait, the court documents get worse. U.S. Soccer also argued that indisputable “science” and biological differences prove that women should be paid less because the men’s team “requires a higher level of skill.” We’re not sure anyone has argued that there aren’t biological differences between men and women—just that those shouldn’t matter when determining how much to pay someone for the same job.

Buzzfeed also accessed court documents which showed U.S. Soccer’s questioning of some of the women’s teams stars. “Do you think that the team could be competitive against the senior men’s national team?” one asked Carli Lloyd. “I’m not sure,” she said. “Shall we fight it out to see who wins and then we get paid more?” Another asked Morgan, “Do you think it requires more skill to play for the U.S. Men’s National Team than the U.S. Women’s National Team?” She replied, “No,” Morgan replied. “It’s a different skill.”

It’s quite infuriating to see the national governing body of a sport be so dismissive (and regressive) in defense of their antiquated position that women deserve to be paid less for a job where they have proved they are quite literally the best in the world. But it’s not unsurprising, especially to any woman who has been faced with a similar situation in her own job where she has to be better and fight harder for the same rights and money automatically afforded a man.

We have no doubt the USWNT will keep pushing for what’s right—and that’s just one of the many reasons to celebrate them.



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Rihanna Attended a Football Match Carrying a $3,500 Inflatable Soccer Ball as a Purse


Rihanna attended a soccer match in Turin, Italy, wearing an accessory only she could pull off: a Louis Vuitton ball-shaped purse.

The beauty mogul attended the Juventus vs Athletic Madrid UEFA Champions League match with her brother earlier this week, and all eyes were on her very appropriate accessory.

According to Page Six, the limited-edition piece, featuring the signature brown LV monogram pattern and a leather shoulder strap, was originally created in the late ’90s to celebrate the 1998 World Cup in France. And it wasn’t actually even designed to be a purse. Instead, it’s an inflatable ball that comes with a tip to blow air in it like a real soccer ball.

It’s not clear how much the vintage “bag” costs, but pre-owned versions are available online starting at $2,800 and up to $3,500.

To complete her look, Rihanna wore a monochromatic brown outfit—all pieces from her Fenty clothing line—and accessorized it with sunglasses, a scarf, and Louis Vuitton ankle boots.

During the game, she also posed for photos with a Juventus jersey that had “Riri” printed on the back. It even featured the number 20, likely chosen in honor of her birthday on February 20.

Giorgio Perottino/Getty Images
Rihanna attends the UEFA Champions League soccer match
Giorgio Perottino/Getty Images

Talk about winning the (high-fashion) game.



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This Girls Soccer Team Was Penalized for Wearing 'Equal Pay' Jerseys


The fight for equal pay reached new heights this summer thanks to the U.S. Women’s National Team, led by Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan, who are suing the U.S. Soccer Federation over unequal pay. And girls in sports have been taking notes.

This weekend, a team of high school girls in Vermont took a stand for equal pay by taking off their soccer jerseys on the field to reveal custom t-shirts that read “#EQUALPAY.”

“I was really inspired after watching the U.S. Women’s National Team’s performance in the World Cup and Megan Rapinoe’s whole thing with equal pay,” said Maggie Barlow, a Burlington High School player, in a video. “It got me thinking that we should do a team dress up day where everyone wears shirts that say #EQUALPAY and spreads the message throughout school.” The girls team connected with an organization called Change the Story VT, which works for women’s economic equality in Vermont. “This is something that’s really affecting a huge population in the world and a lot of girls at our school and will effect us later,” added Lydia Sheeser, another player on the team.

To comply with the school district’s bylaws, the players wore the #EQUALPAY jerseys underneath their regular soccer uniforms, according to Good Morning America, but after they scored a goal with just three minutes left in the game, some of the players took off their jerseys—a Brandi Chastain-worthy celebration for the age of equal pay. The fans went wild, chanting “Equal pay!” like the Burlington girls had just won the World Cup.

But the celebration was cut short when refs issued yellow cards—i.e., penalties—to four of the players for “unsportsmanlike conduct.” The penalty was also reminiscent of the USWNT. The women dominated in the World Cup but were repeatedly dragged for their on the field celebrations. (Tea-gate, anyone?)

If anything, the penalty may have only helped to further their message. The girls went viral on Twitter and even earned shoutouts from Billie Jean King and Mia Hamm.

So far, the team has sold hundreds of #EQUALPAY jerseys, the profits of which will help to support girls soccer in Vermont. Men are asked to pay 16 percent more for a jersey—the size of the pay gap between men and women in Vermont.

“It was really empowering to know that we have people behind us that will support us in this,” Sheeser said. “It shows that we can actually make change.”





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Prince William and Kate Middleton Took Prince George and Princess Charlotte to a Soccer Match


On Saturday, the royal family partook in a tried-and-true fall Saturday outing: watching a soccer match. But all eyes were squarely on Prince George who unequivocally won the sporting event thanks to his, shall we say, more than enthusiastic celebrations.

The 6-year-old was spotted in the stands clapping, waving and cheering on Aston Villa (who also happens to be his dad’s favorite team) as they took on Norwich City. While Princess Charlotte watched quietly while seated next to Kate Middleton (Prince Louis did not seem to be in attendance) George was enthralled with every moment, turning to Prince William to share in his excitement.

The future king of England quickly began trending on Twitter for his over-the-top expressions — it’s what the rest of us look like watching Bachelor in Paradise.

Here’s George strategizing the team’s next moves with his dad:

Stephen Pond/Getty Images

And waving to his adoring subjects:

Prince George red tshirt waving soccer match
Mark Leech/Getty Images

Watching intently, as to not miss a goal:

Prince George watching soccer match
Stephen Pond/Getty Images



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Pay Negotiation Talks Between U.S. Women's Soccer Team and U.S. Soccer Break Down


It’s only been a little over a month since the U.S. Women’s Soccer team won the World Cup. While these women (deservedly) took some time to celebrate in incredible fashion, they’ve also never lost sight of their off-the-field goals, which include closing the gender pay gap in their sport.

In March, the team filed a gender discrimination lawsuit against U.S. Soccer over pay equity, as well as working conditions. “I think to be on this team is to understand these issues,” Megan Rapinoe told the New York Times at the time. “And I think we’ve always — dating back to forever — been a team that stood up for itself and fought hard for what it felt it deserved and tried to leave the game in a better place.”

According to the Times, both sides came to the table this week for mediation talks in New York City this week, but that those talks broke down.

“We entered this week’s mediation with representatives of U.S.S.F. [United States Soccer Federation] full of hope,” Molly Levinson, a spokeswoman for the players, said in a statement to the paper. “Today we must conclude these meetings sorely disappointed in the federation’s determination to perpetuate fundamentally discriminatory workplace conditions and behavior. It is clear that U.S.S.F., including its board of directors and President Carlos Cordeiro, fully intend to continue to compensate women players less than men. They will not succeed.”

U.S. Soccer then responded with a statement of their own. “We have said numerous times that our goal is to find a resolution, and during mediation we had hoped we would be able to address the issues in a respectful manner and reach an agreement,” U.S. Soccer said. “Unfortunately, instead of allowing mediation to proceed in a considerate manner, plaintiffs’ counsel took an aggressive and ultimately unproductive approach that follows months of presenting misleading information to the public in an effort to perpetuate confusion.”

This morning, Rapinoe and teammate Christen Press appeared on the Today show to discuss what happened with Savannah Guthrie. “When they’re ready to have a serious conversation about equal pay, I think the conversations will go better,” Rapinoe said. “We didn’t feel like they were there, or willing to get there.”

When asked if there was a particular sticking point in the negotiations, Press expanded on what Rapinoe said. “I think, unfortunately, it was just the concept of paying us equally. We never even got past that,” she explained. “We were very hopeful in our discussions with them that they were going to take our proposals and our positions seriously which is simply that every game that we play, we get compensated the same way a man would for playing or winning that game. And it broke down right there.”

“I think it’s fair for us to ask that when we play a game and we win that game, or we tie that game or we lose that game, that we should be paid the same as our male counterparts and I don’t think that’s an unrealistic or unreasonable ask, to have equality,” Rapinoe continued. She also said that while she doesn’t think anybody wants this case to go to trial, the women are “confident” in their case—and they’re doing this for more than just themselves.

“This is about so much more than just our case…Just from a social perspective, from leaving the game in a better place for women everywhere. If it’s not equal, there’s no deal that we can get to. This isn’t bargaining. You either value us equally and show that, or you don’t.”



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