USWNT stars Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe stopped by Good Morning America on Tuesday, addressing the settlement that the USWNT players and US Soccer reached regarding the equal pay lawsuit.
“This is such a monumental step forward in feeling valued, feeling respected and just mending our relationship with U.S. Soccer that [has] really been full of tension and very far apart from each other for about six years now,” Morgan said. “With the leadership of Cindy [Parlow Cone], it’s great to just take that step forward. I not only see this as a win for our team, or women’s sports, but women in general. It’s an incredible day.”
.@robinroberts: “Is this considered a win for everyone involved?” @alexmorgan13: “It really is. This is just such a monumental step forward in feeling valued, feeling respected and just mending our relationship with U.S. Soccer.” #USWNThttps://t.co/kWY5S6eOU4 pic.twitter.com/hLJKoxjKMq
— Good Morning America (@GMA) February 22, 2022
The settlement ends a six-year, often-contentious legal fight over equal pay between the two sides. An appeals hearing had been scheduled for March 7.
“I’m so proud of all the hard work that all of us did to get us here,” said Rapinoe. “Obviously the players on the team and the players this lawsuit represents, and our extended team that has helped us. But it’s a really amazing day.”
She also spoke on what the settlement means for the future of soccer in the United States.
“I think we’re gonna look back on this day and say that this is the moment that US Soccer changed for the better,” she continued. “Obviously we can’t go back and undo the injustices that we faced but the only justice coming out of this is that we know something like this is never gonna happen again and we can move forward in making soccer the best sport we possibly can in this country and setting up the next generation so much better than we ever had it.”
South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley, who has been open about how the USWNT inspired her to fight for more money in her own contract extension, called it “huge.”
“US Women’s Soccer National Team thank you for your perseverance, patience and fight for EQUAL PAY!” she wrote. “Systemic change is on the rise… let’s make it happen in every profession.”
NJ/NY Gotham FC and USWNT defender Ali Krieger called it a “great day.”
“To those of us fighting tirelessly within our workplace for equity, equality and respect, thank u!” she wrote. “I’m proud to be a part of this powerful group!”
