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U.S. women’s soccer team files gender discrimination suit

The lawsuit against U.S. soccer claims the women were subject to "institutionalized gender discrimination" for years.

Alex Morgan #13 of United States and Carli Lloyd congratulate Megan Rapinoe #15 after a goal in the second half against the Mexico at BBVA Compass Stadium on April 8, 2018 in Houston, Texas.
Alex Morgan #13 of United States and Carli Lloyd congratulate Megan Rapinoe #15 after a goal in the second half against the Mexico at BBVA Compass Stadium on April 8, 2018 in Houston, Texas.
Tim Warner/Getty Images

On Friday, a lawsuit was filed against the United States Soccer Federation (U.S. Soccer) by the members of the reigning world champion U.S. women’s national team. The suit claims the women were subject to “institutionalized gender discrimination” over the course of several years. This legal step is the culmination of a years-long fight for pay equity by the athletes. Their lawsuit seeks to address discrepancies in coaching, training and medical care. And as Marketplace’s Scott Tong found out, it paints a stark contrast between the pay and bonuses of the women’s national team and the men’s team, both employed by U.S. Soccer. 

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