April 1 – US Soccer has toned down its legal language in new federal court filings in the equal pay dispute with members of the American’s national women’s team.
On Tuesday, US Soccer and members of the USWNT outlined their cases in new filings at court as the lawsuit will move to the trial phase next month. “USSF no longer disputes that the jobs of the WNT and MNT players require equal skill, effort and responsibility — and therefore have necessarily conceded that they perform equal work,” stated the filing from the players’ lawyers.
In the filings US Soccer argued that were not paid less than their male counterparts in total or on a per-game basis. “The undisputed facts show that the WNT and MNT are both geographically and operationally distinct,” said the U.S. Soccer filing.
“The WNT and MNT play in different venues in different cities (and often different countries), and participate in separate competitions against completely different pools of opponents. In addition, the day-to-day functions and operations of the team are overseen by separate coaching staff, technical and medical staff, and Team Administrators.”
However, the filing stopped short from arguing that women’s players didn’t perform equal work. In previous filings, US Soccer claimed that women’s players were physically inferior and that they carried less responsibility. Those arguments resulted in a strong backlash from players, sponsors and fans and ultimately led to the resignation of Carlos Cordeiro. Parlow Cone succeeded Cordeiro and immediately struck a different tone.
“I don’t think a trial is good for either party or for soccer, both in this country or internationally,” said Parlow Cone in a media call last week. “Obviously, our women’s team is the best team in the world and I’m hopeful that we can find a resolution before this goes to trial.”
Both the softened tone in the new filing and the conciliatory words from Cone suggest US Soccer is shifting strategy in a last-ditch attempt to find a settlement with the players.
The trial is set to begin on May 5.
Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at moc.l1734880999labto1734880999ofdlr1734880999owedi1734880999sni@o1734880999fni1734880999