The United States women's national soccer team is the dominant force in international women's soccer. It has won four Women's World Cup title titles, four Olympic golds medals, nine CONCACAF Gold Cups, and four Women's World Cups. But, discrimination and poor pay plague the women's team. Here are some of the problems facing the team. Many issues confront the USWNT including discrimination and low wages in the NWSL.
Four gold medals were won by the U.S. women’s team soccer team
The U.S. women’s soccer squad has won four golds medals in a row. This includes four World Cups and an Olympic tournament. The team's biggest triumph came on May 18, when they won the Equal Pay Games, beating France, Canada and Japan in the semifinals. They are now looking forward for the World Cup next season, where they will try to win another gold medal.
Since 1996, the U.S. women's soccer team has made the podium in six games, including the 2008 and 2016 Olympics. They have won four medals: one gold, one silver, one bronze. In Atlanta 1996, the USWNT beat China 2-1 to earn its first gold. They were awarded silver in Sydney, Australia. However, they lost to Norway in semifinals. In London, they had won three straight games.
It's the best international women's football team.
For over half a century the United States women’s national team soccer team has dominated women’s soccer. The team won four World Cups, numerous Gold Cups and numerous Olympic medals. Its dominance was spurred by Title IX, which forbids discrimination based on gender in federally-funded educational institutions. The 1999 World Cup triumph was a significant moment for women's sports in the United States. Also, it was the first Olympic gold medal won by a woman's national soccer team.
The Women's World Cup is a major part of the international soccer industry. Teams from all parts of the globe participate in major events. In 1991, the tournament took place in Germany. The U.S. program led the way and is still the most lucrative in international women's soccer. But, the United States has made significant progress in women's soccer but other countries have lagging behind.
It earns less money than the NWSL males
The US women’s team in soccer earns less than the NWSL male counterparts. The league has a hybrid payment system. 17 players are on a full time contract with USSF. The hybrid pay system means that players will receive their salary regardless of whether they are disabled or taking parental leave. However, the league's non-contract players receive only a portion of the salary.
The reason for the gender pay disparity is not unjust, but it is due to the structure of the game and the players' wages. From 2010-2018, U.S. Soccer paid $34.1 million to women's soccer players in game bonuses and salary. Men earned $26.4 million. In addition, the women's team operates under separate collective bargaining agreements and pay structures. As a consequence, the pay of the women's group is lower than the men's.
It is subject to discrimination in World Cup payments
The US women’s soccer club faces allegations of gender discrimination and will sue California's U.S. District Court. The suit claims that USSF is complicit and promoting gender disparate pay. USSF has yet to comment on the details of this case, although it is fighting the lawsuit under the guise of equal pay.
Federal judge denied Equal Pay Act claims against the US women's football team. The USSF argues that the women's team's Equal Pay Act claims have been dismissed because of the disparity in pay. The team earned $24.5 million over 111 games compared to $18.5 million for men. The team claims playing on artificial turf is gender discrimination. However, the judge disagrees.