United States (Women's Football)

Even with the 2020 Summer Olympics delayed until 2021 due to the coronavirus, Carli Lloyd believes she will be ready to compete.

The 37-year-old explained on KYW In Depth that she's getting in some "really really good training" despite the ongoing pandemic due to her lightened schedule. Her age will also not be a problem as she tries to continue her career.

"There's a lot of people who are obviously talking about my age," Lloyd said. "...But another year is not a problem for me. I feel that I'm playing some of the best soccer of my career."

Lloyd saw a reduced role with the United States women's national team during the 2019 World Cup, but she still made a significant impact as a reserve, scoring three goals for the eventual champions. It was the veteran's second World Cup title in her fourth appearance in the international competition.

The production has continued through 2020, including at the SheBelieves Cup, and Lloyd thinks she can keep this up throughout next summer.

"No doubt in my mind I'm going to be ready and firing on all cylinders," she said.

Her career after that is more in doubt, but Lloyd noted that it's unlikely she competes for another cycle with the national team.

"Most likely that will probably be it for me," she said of the Tokyo Olympics.

Lloyd had previously said she would be willing to retire if her team was able to win the gold.

"Now I have the opportunity to stick around for another year and it would be a dream come true to win gold with my teammates," she said in March, per Kevin Baxter of the Los Angeles Times. "That would be satisfying enough for me to officially retire."

The United States Soccer Federation has altered language in its court filing that previously stated being a male soccer player required more skill than being a female player.

Per ESPN's Graham Hays, U.S. Soccer lawyers "softened the language and omitted references to skill, effort and responsibility" in a federal court filing March 16.

The players' attorneys filed a memorandum Tuesday that stated: "The parties have significantly narrowed the issues to be tried by way of discovery and briefing. 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."

Carlos Cordeiro resigned as president of U.S. Soccer on March 12.

Per CNN's Lauren M. Johnson, the federation said in a March 9 court filing that male players have "more responsibility" and require "a higher level of skill" than female players.

"A reasonable juror could conclude that the job MNT player requires materially different skill and more responsibility than Plaintiff's job does, while also taking place under materially different working conditions," the original filing read.

Following Cordeiro's resignation, the USSF hired new legal representation and named Cindy Parlow Cone as its new president.

The U.S. women's team continues its ongoing legal battle for equal pay, though Hays noted a new filing Tuesday by U.S. Soccer laid out explicit differences that suggest there is no difference in total or per-game pay between the men's and women's squads. The filing reads:

"The undisputed facts show that the WNT and MNT are both geographically and operationally distinct. 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."

The U.S. women's soccer team filed a gender discrimination lawsuit against U.S. Soccer in March 2019. The women's squad is seeking roughly $67 million in back pay under the Equal Pay Act.

United States women's national soccer team forward Alex Morgan said it was the "right decision" to postpone the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo until 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Morgan, who was planning a rigorous training schedule so she could play in Tokyo despite a due date in April for her first child, told Macaela MacKenzie of Glamour delaying the Games is the "best decision to level the playing field for all athletes in all events."

"Overall it's just the right decision," she said. "I tried to look at it more from a team perspective, but I couldn't help but think of myself with all of the stress that's going on from the coronavirus on top of trying to get back in shape in such a short amount of time."

Morgan said she was questioned about starting a family with her husband, Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Servando Carrasco, at the height of her career with the Olympics on the horizon.

"Casual fans of the game were just like, 'Why would she do something like that during the peak of her career?'" she told MacKenzie. "It's not like women can't do both—our bodies are incredible—it's the fact that this world isn't really set up for women to thrive. That was one thing where I was like, 'Do I want to be public with this?' This is my body, my family, my life."

She added: "I thought to myself, 'I have the support in place to be able to come back. There's no reason for me to stop just to start a family.'"

Now the 30-year-old California native will have an extra year to prepare for the Games after the International Olympic Committee announced they are now scheduled to start July 23, 2021.

Morgan has helped the U.S. win three major tournaments—the 2012 Olympic gold medal and the 2015 and 2019 World Cup titles—during her decorated career. She's recorded 107 goals, which is tied for fifth in USWNT history, in 169 international appearances.

Along with the national team, she also plays for the Orlando Pride of the National Women's Soccer League.

While a Japanese Olympic Committee official who tested positive for the coronavirus was at the United States Women's National Team's She Believes Cup game on March 5, U.S. Soccer does not believe any players were put at further risk through direct interactions. 

Nancy Armour of USA Today shared the governing body's statement:

"As we gather more information, we do not believe at this time that there was any direct interaction between the president of the Japan Football Association and any player, coach or staff member of the United States Women's Soccer Team. Presently, no one associated with U.S. Soccer is displaying symptoms, and all players are currently at their homes, dispersed throughout the nation. Our medical staff is contacting the players and all involved, and we will continue to assess the situation closely. The health and safety of all employees with U.S. Soccer is our top priority and we will continue to take all appropriate precautions while continuing to follow CDC guidelines."

Tom Schad of USA Today reported Kozo Tashima, who is the president of the Japanese Football Association in addition to his responsibilities with the Japanese Olympic Committee, revealed Tuesday he tested positive for the coronavirus.

"I pray that the Olympics and all sports can be performed safely in Japan and around the world," Tashima said in a statement.

The United States defeated England 2-0 in the She Believes Cup group stage on March 5.

The Americans also defeated Japan 3-1 to win the competition on Wednesday behind goals from Megan Rapinoe, Christen Press and Lindsey Horan.

Rapinoe and Press each scored in the first half, while Horan's created some much-needed breathing room after Japan's Mana Iwabuchi pulled her side within one goal with a second-half tally.

The United States women's national team just keeps collecting hardware.

On Wednesday, the USWNT defeated Japan 3-1, winning the 2020 SheBelieves Cup with three victories in total by a combined score of 6-1.

Megan Rapinoe and Christen Press scored first-half goals for the USWNT, while Mana Iwabuchi made things interesting with a 58th-minute goal for Japan. But Lindsey Horan's goal in the 83rd minute put the contest out of reach.

Rapinoe's goal was a thing of beauty, as the superstar winger struck on a free kick in the seventh minute.

MEGAN RAPINOE GOLAZO 😤 pic.twitter.com/Ep08QLBoso

— espnW (@espnW) March 12, 2020

Squad goals, and we don't say it lightly. Look at the bench after that Pinoe goal. Your squad could never. pic.twitter.com/WUKz2mv1eR

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) March 12, 2020

Nineteen minutes later, Press shocked Japan with a crafty turn on the edge of the box and an inch-perfect chip over the goalkeeper to double the Americans' lead.

OH. MY. CHRISTEN PRESS 😱 pic.twitter.com/xBPbHI0SeB

— ESPN (@espn) March 12, 2020

Japan came out looking like a different team in the second half, pressing the issue and eventually cracking the United States goal. But Horan sealed the deal late in the contest with a fantastic header:

Say it with me now,

death, taxes and @LindseyHoran headers. pic.twitter.com/VDmxyZyNpR

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) March 12, 2020

The subtext of the game was as much the story Wednesday night as the game itself, however.

The Americans came out before the game with their warm-up kits turned inside-out, in clear protest of the U.S. Soccer Federation's court filing that stated that the USWNT's schedule and rigor of play are less demanding and that the players lack the skill of the men's game.

The USWNT has taken the field with their warm up jerseys inside out, hiding the US Soccer crest.

This is in response to the latest legal filings by the US Soccer Federation in the gender discrimination lawsuit filed by 28 US players. (@espnW) pic.twitter.com/BTZgYeeNMD

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 12, 2020

The filing was in response to the players' gender-discrimination lawsuit against the federation, as the USWNT seeks equal pay to the USMNT. And on Wednesday, the USWNT possibly took its anger out on Japan.

https://twitter.com/itsmeglinehan/status/1237895444102963201

As I was saying.

— Jonathan Tannenwald (@thegoalkeeper) March 12, 2020

At the end of ESPN's broadcast of the game, USSF President Carlos Cordeiro issued an on-air apology for the filing. Moments later, the USWNT lifted its trophy. The irony of that timing was hard to ignore.

The United States women's national soccer team wore their warm-up uniforms inside out ahead of Wednesday's clash against Japan at the SheBelieves Cup.

The USWNT has taken the field with their warm up jerseys inside out, hiding the US Soccer crest.

This is in response to the latest legal filings by the US Soccer Federation in the gender discrimination lawsuit filed by 28 US players. (@espnW) pic.twitter.com/BTZgYeeNMD

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 12, 2020

https://twitter.com/itsmeglinehan/status/1237887096158748672

https://twitter.com/caitlinmurr/status/1237893567319695361

Ahead of tonight's #SheBelievesCup Final against Japan the @USWNT are wearing their warm-up jerseys inside out in response to the U.S. Soccer Federation's sexism.

— Sarah Spain (@SarahSpain) March 11, 2020

The decision to wear the kits backward comes after the U.S. Soccer Federation's response to the players' gender-discrimination lawsuit was released publicly. In the March filing, the USSF said that the women's team isn't as skilled as the men's team and its schedule and workload are less demanding.

Megan Rapinoe spoke out about the issue Wednesday, per ESPN.com's Graham Hays:

"The team was very upset, obviously. We have sort of felt that those are some of the undercurrent feelings that they've had for a long time, but to see that as the argument—sort of blatant misogyny and sexism as the argument against us is really disappointing.

"I just want to say it's all false. To every girl out there, to every boy out there, who watches this team, who wants to be on this team or just wants to live their dream out, you are not lesser just because you are a girl. You are not better just because you are a boy. We are all created equal and should have the equal opportunity to go out and pursue our dreams."

One of the section titles in the filing read "WNT and MNT Players Do Not Perform Equal Work Requiring Equal Skill, Effort, and Responsibility Under Similar Working Conditions."

The response from USWNT spokesperson Molly Levinson was that the filing was sexist:

https://twitter.com/itsmeglinehan/status/1237443751921975299

USWNT's decision to turn their warm-ups inside out was a direct response to that filing.

The United States Soccer Federation claims that the United States women's national soccer team does not deserve equal pay as the men's team because the teams' work isn't equal.

That's according to court filings relayed by ESPN's Graham Hays, who noted that the USWNT is seeking over $66 million in back pay and damages from the USSF.

"The overall soccer-playing ability required to compete at the senior men's national team level is materially influenced by the level of certain physical attributes," the defense motion said in part, per Hays. "Such as speed and strength, required for the job."

The USSF also said that the level of competition between the men's and women's teams contributes to the pay differences.

"There is also evidence that MNT players face tougher competition, even on a relative basis," the defense motion stated. "There is a significantly deeper pool of competition in men's international soccer than there is in women's international soccer, even when assessing the issue in relative terms."

In response to the USSF's arguments, Molly Levison, a spokesperson for the women, said:

"This ridiculous 'argument' belongs in the Paleolithic Era. It sounds as if it has been made by a caveman. Literally everyone in the world understands that an argument that male players 'have more responsibility' is just plain, simple sexism and illustrates the very gender discrimination that caused us to file this lawsuit to begin with. So [I'm] looking forward to trial on May 5."

A trial between the USWNT and USSF is slated to begin May 5 in federal court in California.

Per Andrew Das of the New York Times, the USSF would like the lawsuit dismissed by a judge before the case hits trial.

R. Gary Klausner of the United States District Court for the Central District of California is the judge presiding over the case, and per Das, "both the players and U.S. Soccer expect him to allow the case to proceed to trial rather than pick a winner now on one side's terms."

Das also explained the USWNT's determination in seeking over $66 million, specifically:

"Saying the federation's actions were in clear violation of federal law, specifically the Equal Pay Act and Title VII, an expert hired by the players calculated an award of back pay and damages of $66,722,148, 'with more to be sought in punitive damages at trial in May.'

"The figure was reached, the players' expert said, by taking the women's performances, schedules and match results and calculating what they would have earned under the separate compensation schedule in place for the United States men's national team. Calculations like those, U.S. Soccer has long argued, are inaccurate — and unfair — because they include World Cup bonuses paid by FIFA, the sport's global governing body, for the far more lucrative men's World Cup."

Per ESPN, a total of 28 women's players are taking part in the lawsuit, which was filed under the Equal Pay Act and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.

United States women's national team star Megan Rapinoe is not pleased with the letter U.S. Soccer Federation President Carlos Cordeiro released Saturday.

"I think it shows the distance between us," she said of the letter regarding the USWNT's lawsuit about pay inequality, per Jonathan Tannenwald of the Philadelphia Inquirer. "That was disappointing for sure."

She also pointed to Sunday's holiday while saying, "If that's how you want to celebrate International Women's Day, and, you know, show support for not only your players but for, you know, potentially future players and girls all over the place, that's one way to do it," per Jeff Kassouf of The Equalizer.

Cordeiro stressed that FIFA and not U.S. Soccer is responsible for prize money at the World Cup and said the USWNT has "repeatedly declined our invitation to meet" because his organization will not make up the difference in prize money between the men's and women's World Cups.

"Last month, we offered the WNT Players Association multiple contract options, which we strongly believe address the team's goals as they have been presented to us by the players and their representatives," he wrote. "In particular, we have offered to provide identical compensation to our women's and men's players for all matches controlled by U.S. Soccer."

Kassouf passed along a response from Molly Levinson, who is a spokesperson for the USWNT players, that said the letter "is riddled with falsehoods."

Of note was Levinson's contention that the "USSF did not and has never offered equal pay to the women players."

Molly Levinson, spokesperson for the #USWNT players, says "USSF did not and has never offered equal pay to the women players." Full statement in reply to Carlos Cordeiro's letter: pic.twitter.com/vTj30wUauR

— Jeff Kassouf (@JeffKassouf) March 8, 2020

Roger Gonzalez of CBSSports.com summarized the situation, noting 28 players from the USWNT are part of a class-action lawsuit that was filed in a Los Angeles federal court last year alleging gender discrimination by the USSF when it comes to paying the women's team and men's team.

In February, the union representing the men's team released a statement of support saying the USSF has "been working very hard to sell a false narrative to the public and even to members of Congress" and suggesting the women's team "were due at least triple what our expired deal was worth in player compensation."

The USWNT has won four World Cups, including the last two. The men's team did not even qualify for the 2018 World Cup.

The USWNT made it two wins from two in the 2020 SheBelieves Cup after beating Spain 1-0 at the Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey, on Sunday.

An 87th-minute header from Julie Ertz proved enough for the FIFA Women's World Cup holders, who were outplayed for large portions of the game by a Spain side accomplished in possession.

Ultimately though, the U.S. did enough to follow Thursday's 2-0 win over England with another noteworthy result and now have six points from six.

The first half offered an intriguing clash of styles, with the U.S. content to play a more direct game while Spain moved the ball efficiently on the deck.

Paris Saint-Germain's Irene Paredes was using neat distribution to help Spain build from the back, but it was the U.S. who took a quicker route to goal. In a precursor of things to come, Ertz was inches away from turning in a corner from Megan Rapinoe after making a smart run to the near post.

However, Spain fashioned an even better opportunity when Jennifer Hermoso headed against the upright. While the finish was errant, the approach play involving Hermoso and Barca team-mate Alexia Putellas was exceptional.

Spain were also defending well from the front, with the tactic denying Carli Lloyd and the gifted Rose Lavelle space between the lines:

Spain coach Jorge Vilda screaming out to his front line to drop off early, like in the 2019 round-of-16 game. Spain's asking the USWNT to break them down in possession.

— Jeff Kassouf (@JeffKassouf) March 8, 2020

The U.S. stepped up the intensity after the break, with Lavelle firing over after a well-worked quick free-kick routine. Sam Mewis was the next to go close, drawing Sandra Panos into a solid save.

While the USWNT were pressing for a breakthrough, most of the quality in possession was still coming from Spain. Paredes, Putellas and Co. were continuing to recycle the ball with guile and technique, choosing the right options and rarely making any superfluous touches.

Little more than an hour into this one — and it’s a darn shame Spain won’t be at the Olympics! #USWNT

— Dan Lauletta (@TheDanLauletta) March 8, 2020

Frustrated by watching his team forlornly chase the passes, Vlatko Andonovski reacted by withdrawing Lloyd and Rapinoe for Christen Press and Tobin Heath. Lindsey Horan then entered the fray in place of Mewis soon after.

The changes did little to alter the pattern of play initially, with Real Sociedad midfielder Marta Cardona lifting a shot narrowly over the bar.

https://twitter.com/caitlinmurr/status/1236786367520051201

Yet for all Spain's enterprise, it took just one lapse in concentration for the U.S. to take full advantage. Ertz had been a menace from set pieces, and her energy and power showed up again when she met a delivery from Press and planted a thumping header out of Panos' reach.

While the late goal was hardly deserved based on the run of play, the USWNT had once again proved resourceful enough to withstand pressure and find a winning edge even when below their best.

If Spain can find the same characteristic, this team will quickly become the main threat to USA's dominance.

     

What's Next?

Spain will meet the Lionesses at the Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas on Wednesday, with the U.S. facing Japan at the same venue a day later.

The USWNT can slow the momentum of table-topping Spain when the two meet at the 2020 SheBelieves Cup in Harrison, New Jersey, on Sunday.

Fresh from beating holders England 2-0 on Friday, the U.S. will feel confident about taking top spot at Red Bull Arena, despite Spain's impressive start. Thursday's 3-1 win over Japan showcased the attacking quality in Spain's ranks, with Athletic Club Bilbao's Lucia Garcia helping herself to a brace.

It will be tough for Garcia and Co. to match the firepower of the U.S. Carli Lloyd and Christen Press were on the scoresheet against the Lionesses, and there are plenty of other match-winners in Vlatko Andonovski's squad.

                 

Date: Sunday, March 8

Time: 5 p.m. ET/9 p.m. GMT

TV Info: ESPN, BBC Four Red Button

Live Stream: ESPN

                      

Lloyd's excellent strike in Orlando, Florida, offered a reminder of the 37-year-old's enduring class. Her technique and keen eye for goal still provide an outlet for the creativity in the U.S. ranks, a quality best summed up by Lindsey Horan's deft through ball to tee up Lloyd:

when it comes to @CarliLloyd and scoring, it's bangers only thank you. pic.twitter.com/tw446gw8yw

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) March 6, 2020

Despite how well Lloyd and Co. played, Andonovski challenged his players to do more. He said, per Julie Poe of Pro Soccer USA: "I'm so happy for the win. We're happy about it. But we know when we go into game review tomorrow, the players don't want to hear how good we did. [It's] what can we get better at."

Espousing a demanding message is good preparation ahead of facing a Spain team likely to move the ball quicker between the lines than England. Garcia offers a natural focal point in the final third, but it's Barcelona No. 10 Jennifer Hermoso whose vision, movement and guile will pose the most problems to the U.S. defence.

Hermoso was on the scoresheet when these two teams met in the last 16 at the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup. It was a game settled by two Megan Rapinoe penalties, but Hermoso still impressed.

The 29-year-old's game is based on dropping off the front and exploiting pockets of space with neat touches while creating room for runners from wide areas to break through the middle.

Controlling Hermoso's movement will demand another strong game from Horan in midfield, while Julie Ertz's positional sense will also be key. If the back four is protected, the U.S. will have a strong enough base to overpower Spain.