By Samantha Cortes, Olivia Winstock, Ani Gutierrez, and Winnie Hohan.
The U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team was named the victor of the 2023 SheBelieves Cup on Wednesday, marking a historic win since the passage of the Equal Pay for Team USA Act in December.
The act, which requires all athletes representing the United States in global competitions to receive equal pay in their sport, came after the Women’s National Soccer Team sued the U.S. Soccer Federation for equal pay in 2019.
The team’s claims that they were systematically underpaid by the U.S. Soccer Federation were initially shot down in 2020, marking a contentious legal battle between the entities that would ensue for the next two years.
The Women’s National Team settled with the U.S. Soccer Federation for $24 million last February, but negotiations on equal pay in all global competitions had not been finalized yet.
A collective bargaining agreement was reached by the unions of the men and women’s teams in May. The terms state that the teams will pool money together and share an equal percentage of the prize paid for by FIFA for their performance in the World Cup.
The Equal Pay for Team USA Act was signed into law by President Biden on Jan. 5, ensuring that all athletes representing the United States in global competition are paid equally, regardless of gender. This includes events like the World Cup, Olympics and Paralympics.
“From here on out, when women win, they no longer have to worry that a men’s team will still somehow be paid more,” said Washington Senator Maria Cantwell, who sponsored the legislation.
The U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team home win against Brazil in the SheBelieves Cup, an annual tournament for women’s soccer teams worldwide, marks their first home victory in an international tournament since the act was passed.
The team defeated Brazil 2-1 in their final match of the tournament, with goals from forwards Alex Morgan and Mallory Swanson. Canada was the runner-up in the tournament, with Brazil and Japan trailing behind.
The team’s 3-0 sweep this year marks their fourth consecutive win of the SheBelieves Cup, a major feat heading into the World Cup this summer.
“I think honestly it’s been a good run,” said Swanson in an interview with ESPN. “I’ve really just tried to focus on being present and just taking it day by day, game by game.”
Other women’s sports teams have called for their countries to follow suit and pass equal pay laws for athletes, including The Canadian Women’s National Soccer Team, who threatened to strike due to federation funding cuts ahead of the World Cup.
The Canadian team members wore purple shirts donning the words ‘Enough is Enough’ before their opening match of the SheBelieves Cup. Team USA wore purple wristbands to show their solidarity.
Members of the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team have said they hope to keep pushing for equity in women’s sports, but are proud of the legislation that has passed thus far.
“We can move forward in making soccer the best sport we can in this country and set up the next generation so much better than we ever had it,” said U.S. Women’s National Soccer team member Megan Rapinoe in an interview with Good Morning America. “We’re just very excited to have arrived here after a very long and arduous road.”
