United States (Women's Football)

United States Soccer president Cindy Parlow Cone told reporters Tuesday that the federation can't meet USWNT financial demands that include $66 million in damages, as a part of their equal pay lawsuit, because "to make up the difference in FIFA prize money is untenable, and would likely bankrupt the Federation."

Parlow Cone continued:

You all know that largest hurdle is the massive and frankly unfair difference in FIFA World Cup prize money for men and women, a funding source that U.S. Soccer does not control. It's solely controlled by FIFA. As it stands, the women's team wants U.S. Soccer to pay for past and future discrepancies in FIFA prize money. This is well over $50 million for the past two World Cups and an unknown amount for the future.

Here's how the prize pools compared at the last men's and women's World Cup, and the expected prize pools for the upcoming events:

• 2018 men's World Cup: $400 million in total bonus money, $38 million for champions France. 
• 2019 women's World Cup: $30 million in total bonus money, $4 million for champions United States.
• 2022 men's World Cup: $440m in total bonus money.
• 2023 women's World Cup: $60 million in total bonus money.

The difference in money allotted in the men's and women's game is staggering, and it's one of financial obstacles the USWNT faces. The USMNT has never won the World Cup or Olympics and missed the 2018 World Cup entirely. 

The USWNT, meanwhile, has four World Cup titles and four Olympic gold medals and is the most dominant force in the women's game. 

A spokesperson for the United States women's players, Molly Levinson, released the following statement regarding the showdown between the sides:

As all eyes are on the USWNT preparing to compete on behalf of the USA at the Olympic Games, USSF is back at it, using tactics like blaming FIFA, holding press conferences, and hiring lobbyists in phony attempts to make unequal pay seem like it is equal pay. It is not and players, fans, sponsors, lawmakers know better—and have stood with the USWNT in demanding an end to USSF's discrimination. If USSF is committed to equal pay, then there is nothing stopping them from paying the women players equally.

That showdown seems unlikely to resolve quickly or quietly, with the collective bargaining agreement between the USSF and the women's players expiring after this year, creating another potential point of conflict. The players are also seeking to have the equal pay portion of their lawsuit reinstated after U.S. District Court Judge R. Gary Klausner tossed it out in May 2020.

As for a settlement over the damages the players were seeking, Parlow Cone said: "If we can find creative ways to come to resolution on [the bonus money], I'm very hopeful."

The United States Women's National Team looks ready for the Olympics.

The Americans handled Jamaica in a commanding 4-0 victory in Sunday's international friendly at BBVA Stadium in Houston. They wasted little time getting started with first-half goals from Carli Lloyd, Lindsey Horan and Margaret Purce and put things on cruise control in the second half before Alex Morgan buried the final goal in stoppage time.

It was more dominance for the Red, White and Blue, who extended their unbeaten streak to 41 consecutive matches. They have also won 17 straight at home and are 8-0-1 on the year with a 27-1 goal differential.

90+2' | IN STOPPAGE TIME! @alexmorgan13! 🙌

🇺🇸 4-0 🇯🇲 | #SummerSeries x @ATT pic.twitter.com/eoJbUAvEsW

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) June 14, 2021

They have also controlled the series against Jamaica and are now 4-0 all-time against their fellow Concacaf side.

Sunday's win was more convincing than Thursday's 1-0 victory over Portugal, which did not see the United States break through until Samantha Mewis scored in the 76th minute.

Perhaps with that close finish in mind, the Americans were aggressive from the start. 

Lloyd scored the second-fastest goal in USWNT history when she buried a shot following a Rose Lavelle cross 23 seconds into the game. The 38-year-old also became the oldest player to score for the USWNT with the opening strike:

23 seconds 🔥⏰
The second-fastest goal in #USWNT history.@CarliLloyd did THAT 🐐 pic.twitter.com/680WGwNitK

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) June 14, 2021

Age has nothing on @CarliLloyd

With that 🔥 goal tonight, @CarliLloyd now holds the record as the oldest goal scorer in 🇺🇸 history at 38 years and 332 days old. She takes over the honor from @KristineLilly. pic.twitter.com/KasKwECARs

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) June 14, 2021

Horan then pushed the advantage to 2-0 with a penalty in the seventh minute, and Purce made it 3-0 with a goal off a Christen Press cross. 

🔒 = @LindseyHoran from the spot pic.twitter.com/dLpi2JN593

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) June 14, 2021

Midge wasn't missing 😤@ChristenPress with the assist, @100Purcent with the finish. Firing on all cylinders ⚡️ pic.twitter.com/6OOx2QCjAh

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) June 14, 2021

The only downside for the Americans as they seized control in the first half came when Lavelle exited because of an apparent injury.

Other than that, there was no doubt who the better side was throughout the game. The USWNT finished with 19 shots to Jamaica's three, as goalkeeper Adrianna Franch was never under significant pressure while the game was still hanging in the balance.

The second half was largely an exercise of playing out the string in a game that was already decided, but the American defense ensured their shutout remained intact before Morgan added the exclamation mark with a header.

---

What's Next?

The United States will take on Nigeria in the final game of the Summer Series on Wednesday in Austin, Texas.

The United States women's national team turns its pre-Olympic focus to a continental foe Sunday.

The USWNT hosts Jamaica at BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston in the middle of a three-game set in Texas.

Vlatko Andonovski's side struggled to score Thursday in its 1-0 win over a pesky Portugal side that punched well above its No. 29 world ranking.

Even though the attack sputtered a bit in the first of three matches in Texas, the defense continued to play well.

The USWNT conceded once in eight matches in 2021, and it carries a 40-match unbeaten streak into Sunday's clash.

                            

USWNT vs. Jamaica Info

Date: Sunday, June 13

Start Time: 10 p.m. ET 

TV: FS1

Live Stream: Fox Sports app or FoxSports.com

Odds: Available odds can be found on DraftKings Sportsbook.

             

Preview

The USWNT has an easier matchup on paper than it did against Portugal.

Jamaica is 51st in the world rankings and has three losses in a trio of matches against the Americans.

The Reggae Girlz will be at even more of a disadvantage Sunday since they will not have Khadija "Bunny" Shaw available for selection. Shaw is recovering from a busy club season in France with Bordeaux.

Jamaica is coming off 1-0 win over Nigeria on Thursday. Nigeria is the fourth team participating in the three-game series in Texas.

No player on the Jamaica roster has more than 35 international appearances. Only nine members of the USWNT's 23-woman squad have 35 caps or fewer.

For the USWNT, Sunday's match serves as one more chance for the fringe players to make an impression on Andonovski before he names his 18-woman roster for the Olympics.

The biggest roster question comes at the No. 6 spot that Julie Ertz typically occupies. Ertz is recovering from an injury, and if she is unable to play in Tokyo, Andonovski needs to have trust in someone else to fill in at the position.

Lindsey Horan, Rose Lavelle and Samantha Mewis started in the midfield Sunday. Horan and Mewis would be the most logical options of the likely Olympic squad members to fill in for Ertz. Andi Sullivan could be given an opportunity to show what she can do at No. 6, while a few other midfielders need to impress to force Andonovski's hand.

Horan, Lavelle and Mewis should be locks for the 18-woman squad. Kristie Mewis and Catarina Macario are among the players on the edge of the roster selection.

Sophia Smith and Lynn Williams could receive the same opportunities up top, where Carli Lloyd, Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe appear to be locks to be in the Olympic squad because of their experience and form. Rapinoe scored in back-to-back games in April, and Morgan scored in the 6-0 rout of Argentina in February.

With only three days between matches, there should be some squad rotation to get the fringe players on the field for one final look.

After Sunday, the USWNT's last friendly prior to Olympic roster selection is Wednesday against Nigeria.

                     

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The United States women's national soccer team asked a federal appeals court to overturn a lower court's decision to dismiss their equal-pay lawsuit, according to the Associated Press.

The team is seeking to be provided with compensation equal to the men's national team.

"For each win, loss and tie that women players secure, they are paid less than men who play the same sport and who do the same work; that is gender discrimination," players' spokeswoman Molly Levinson said in a statement. "A pervasive atmosphere of sexism drove this pay discrimination."

The AP noted that USWNT players are asking the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to reinstate the part of the suit that U.S. District Judge R. Gary Klausner threw out in a partial summary judgment against them in May.

An appeal would go before a three-judge panel, but in general, oral arguments are scheduled 12-20 months following a notice of appeal and nearly a year after written briefs have been submitted.

Players originally sued the U.S. Soccer Federation in March 2019, arguing their pay is inequitable under the terms of their collective bargaining agreement compared to the men's and seeking over $66 million in damages. The USWNT cited the Equal Pay Act and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 in their arguments.

Per the AP:

Klausner threw out the pay claim last May, ruling the women rejected a pay-to-play structure similar to the one in the men's agreement and accepted greater base salaries and benefits than the men, who failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.

The sides reached a settlement Dec. 1 on working condition claims that Klausner approved Monday. The deal calls for charter flights, hotel accommodations, venue selection and professional staff support equitable to that of the men's national team.

The women's national team is currently off until an international friendly against Switzerland on May 30.

The United States women's national soccer team wrapped up its two-game European tour schedule with a 2-0 win over France on Tuesday at Stade Oceane. 

Team USA entered this international friendly coming off a disappointing draw against Sweden on Saturday.  

Saturday's result ended the Americans' winning streak at 16 games. The last team to beat them was France in January 2019. 

Coming out of Saturday's draw, Megan Rapinoe made a point of saying that was the kind of game the U.S. needed. 

“Even throughout the whole game, I was kind of thinking, ‘This is exactly what we need.’ We didn’t play well. We were very sloppy. Tactically we needed to be a lot better, and just individually,” Rapinoe told reporters. “But those are the games where you kind of have to dig in.”

Rapinoe wasted no time putting the U.S. in control with a penalty-kick goal in the sixth minute. 

OH MEGAN RAPINNNNNNOOOOE! 🎶 We love this song 😊@mPinoe from the spot for her 7th goal in 7 games this year. pic.twitter.com/pomvsyJ20s

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) April 13, 2021

The penalty was awarded when Alex Morgan was fouled inside the box. Rapinoe's goal extended her streak of consecutive penalty kicks to seven dating back to 2016:

Quick look at USWNT penalties since 2016:

- Rapinoe: 7-7
- Lloyd: 2-5
- Morgan: 2-4
- Brian: 1-1
- S. Mewis: 1-1

— Paul Carr (@PaulCarr) April 13, 2021

Team USA came out of the gate as the more aggressive side. They had three shots on goal in the first 30 minutes of the first half. 

Alex Morgan, who had one goal in the previous six games this year, put the U.S. up 2-0 in the 19th minute with a perfectly-placed shot on an assist from Christen Press.

Right foot or left foot, @alexmorgan13 gets it done 😤

Buries it for 7th career goal against Les Bleues 🔥 pic.twitter.com/djZwazVD0D

— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) April 13, 2021

France is sleepwalking and the USWNT is mad about Saturday. Not a good combo for Les Bleues! 2-0 U.S., with a great finish from Alex Morgan on a great feed from Christen Press.

— Jeff Kassouf (@JeffKassouf) April 13, 2021

The French team was rolling coming into this match. They are No. 3 in the FIFA world rankings and had won five consecutive matches by a combined score of 22-1.  

The Blues' offense could get nothing going against the United States. They only had one shot on goal on three total attempts.

https://twitter.com/caitlinmurr/status/1382061012912807941

France looked sluggish throughout, but it shouldn't be discouraged looking ahead to the Olympics in July. The Blues played this match without Amandine Henry, Wendy Renard, Delphine Cascarino because of a COVID-19 outbreak in their club team Lyon.   

https://twitter.com/caitlinmurr/status/1382076658308374528

This still wasn't a perfect performance by Team USA, despite the win. They committed eight fouls, including a yellow card for Carli Lloyd for a questionable tackle call late in the second half, and were called offsides five times. 

Even with some flaws in the match, the Americans were able to go on cruise control after taking an early 2-0 lead. They will be off for two months before resuming play on June 10 at the Tournament of Nations. 

After drawing with Sweden 1-1 on Saturday, the United States women's national team will take on France on Tuesday in the second of two friendlies in Europe this month.

The U.S. had earned 16 straight wins prior to the draw in Stockholm, which even seemed a fortunate result for Vlatko Andonovski's team after Megan Rapinoe's penalty kick in the 87th minute allowed the team to avoid a loss.

This is the first meeting between the USWNT and France since the quarterfinals of the 2019 Women's World Cup. In that contest, Rapinoe scored twice to lift the U.S. past the host nation before winning the trophy.

           

USWNT vs. France Viewing Info

When: Tuesday, April 13, at 3 p.m. ET

Where: Stade Oceane in Le Havre, France

TV: ESPN2

Live stream: WatchESPN

Odds (via DraftKings): USA (-120); Draw (+255); France (+260)

             

U.S. Preparing for Short-Handed France

Given that France is ranked No. 3 in the world, the pregame odds may seem awfully generous in the USWNT's favor. However, there's a simple reason for that.

Because of a recent COVID-19 outbreak within French club Olympique Lyonnais, Les Bleues will be without several key players. The list includes star defender Wendie Renard and midfielder Amandine Henry, two fixtures of the lineup.

Other absences of note are Amel Majri, Griedge Mbock Bathy and Sakina Karchaoui, who each have at least 39 international appearances. Delphine Cascarino (11 caps) is also unavailable.

France still has plenty of talent, though.

Most notably, the attacking group can be a handful for the USWNT back line. Expect to see a combination of Eugenie Le Sommer, Kadidiatou Diani, Marie-Antoinette Katoto, Valerie Gauvin and Viviane Asseyi for the hosts in Tuesday's friendly.

Asseyi and Katoto both scored in France's win over England on Friday, highlighting a 3-1 victory in which Sandy Baltimore also found the back of the net. Diani notched two assists, too.

Meanwhile, the U.S. is aiming to rebound from an unimpressive draw against Sweden—a result that Andonovski called "very good" for the team, per ESPN's Jeff Carlisle:

"I think that this is, I wouldn't say one of the best things that happened to us, but something that is very good for us. In fact, that's why we came here [to Europe]. We came here to play good teams. We came [to] Europe to play opponents, to some extent get exposed to different tactics, high-level tactics, organized teams and to try to overcome all that."

Regardless of the result, though, this is a challenging back-to-back sequence of games designed to prepare the USWNT for the Summer Olympics in Japan. On that stage, nothing but a win is good enough.

Considering the context of this friendly—France's absences—that should be the expectation for the U.S. on Tuesday, too.

           

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A court approved a settlement between the United States women's national team and U.S. Soccer on Monday regarding working conditions for the team, setting the squad up for its appeal regarding equal pay, per Cassandra Negley of Yahoo Sports.

Both sides released statements following the approval:

https://twitter.com/caitlinmurr/status/1381665951771361284

The approval comes after U.S. Soccer agreed in a December settlement to provide the women with similar accommodations to the men's team, including charter flights, venue selection, staffing and hotel accommodations.

"Finally, giving these athletes access to facilities, training, care, and professional support is the next step needed in the long and hard work to grow the game of women's football," spokeswoman Molly Levinson said in her statement.

The next step for the USWNT is to appeal the equal pay case, which was dismissed by Judge R. Gary Klausner in U.S. District Court in California in May 2020. 

The team is reportedly seeking $67 million in back pay, arguing the compensation is based on "gender stereotyping." Men's players are eligible for larger bonuses for winning games than women's players.

U.S. Soccer has countered by saying the previous money was based on the collective bargaining agreement and the federation is prepared to pay equal wages on what it can control.

"U.S. Soccer is 100 percent committed to equal pay," Monday's statement said. "We have offered the USWNT the identical compensation provided to our men’s players for all matches controlled by U.S. Soccer."

A major dispute at this point is bonuses for the World Cup, which is influenced by the payout determined by FIFA. While U.S. Soccer would give the men's team about $25 million of the $34 million FIFA would award the federation for winning the men's World Cup, the women's team receives only $2.5 million because FIFA gives a significantly smaller prize for winning the women's World Cup. The United States won the most recent international competition in 2019 and has four titles overall.

"I feel good about [the case] obviously because I know what the reality is. I know how strong our case is," veteran player Megan Rapinoe told Negley earlier this month. "I feel like probably for both sides a settlement would be the best thing if we can get to a place that’s fair and equitable."

The United States women's soccer team has extended its 2021 unbeaten streak to six games after Saturday's 1-1 draw with Sweden in an international friendly in Solna, Sweden. 

Megan Rapinoe saved the U.S. from defeat when she scored on a penalty kick in the 87th minute to tie the score.

Never in doubt 🇺🇸@mPinoe sends the penalty home to tie the game for the @USWNT! pic.twitter.com/rKimKl8OxJ

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) April 10, 2021

Sweden's Sofia Jakobsson was called for a penalty on Kelley O'Hara, but it appeared as if the foul occurred outside of the box. 

The foul that led to the game-tying penalty for the USWNT pic.twitter.com/EOpqGAWn5e

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) April 10, 2021

The USWNT returned to the pitch for the first time since winning the SheBelieves Cup with a 6-0 victory over Argentina on Feb. 24. The U.S. also defeated Canada and Brazil in the tournament and didn't concede once. 

Saturday was the squad's first game outside of the country this year. Sweden (No. 5 in the FIFA rankings) is also the highest-ranked team it has played so far in 2021. 

Even though the final result wasn't what the U.S. women were hoping for, it should be considered a positive because they were outplayed for most of the match by a terrific opponent.

 

U.S. Struggles in Return Match

Team USA is accustomed to dictating the pace and tempo, but it was apparent for most of the first half that Sweden was the more aggressive and attacking team. 

The Swedes had one fewer shot attempt (six) than the U.S. in the first half but a 2-1 advantage in shots on goal. 

Lina Hurtig's header off Kosovare Asllani's corner kick in the 38th minute put Sweden up 1-0 before halftime. 

Sweden strikes first! 🇸🇪

They take the lead late in the first half against the USWNT pic.twitter.com/eAxcMSPIDp

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) April 10, 2021

what was that set-piece defending from #USWNT?! Sweden’s Lina Hurtig, who has five goals in last six games for Juventus in Serie A, had free movement off corner kick for an easy header goal. Not used to seeing breakdowns like that from the Americans ...

— Andy Greder (@andygreder) April 10, 2021

Things could have been worse for Team USA if not for a terrific save by Alyssa Naeher after Fridolina Rolfo got behind the defense:

😤 @AlyssaNaeher comes up with a huge save to keep it a one goal game at the end of the first half pic.twitter.com/8w4lu3lefw

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) April 10, 2021

Hurtig's goal put the Americans in an unfamiliar position. It was their first deficit in any match in 18 months:

https://twitter.com/caitlinmurr/status/1380947139795116033

Naeher with a huge save after Rolfö gets in alone following Horan's giveaway. HT now. #uswnt had some success with their press, but has been a bit sloppy with its passing out of the back. US also needs to be mindful of its midfield shape when Ertz goes forward.

— Jeff Carlisle (@JeffreyCarlisle) April 10, 2021

Team USA came out in the second half with a greater sense of urgency. It had three shots on goal in the first 20 minutes and finished with six for the game. 

Carli Lloyd nearly came up with the equalizer on a header of her own off a terrific setup by Lindsey Horan, but she hit the ball straight ahead into Sweden goalie Jennifer Falk's waiting arms to preserve the 1-0 deficit. 

In the 82nd minute, Alex Morgan had a small opening to tie the score. She was unable to get her feet set and attempted to swipe the ball with her left foot. Falk made an easy save and cleared the ball for the Swedish side to reset. 

A chance for the @USWNT!

They continue to put the pressure on Sweden late in the second half pic.twitter.com/nlNkmFpSQ0

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) April 10, 2021

Nevertheless, Rapinoe's penalty kick helped the U.S. salvage a draw against a quality foe. 

This was a good test for the Americans, who will take on an even stronger opponent in their next friendly on Tuesday. France is the No. 3 team in the FIFA rankings and hasn't lost since a 2-1 defeat to the U.S. in the 2019 World Cup quarterfinals.

 

Sweden's Defense Shines in Draw

Even though the U.S. entered this matchup as the favorite, Sweden has done as good a job as any team in recent years against the powerhouse American squad. 

Despite not having a win to show for its efforts, Sweden had only lost by one goal in two of the previous three matches between the two sides. The most recent meeting was a 3-2 final at a friendly in Columbus, Ohio, in November 2019. 

Since March 2020, Sweden has been unbeaten in its last nine matches, including Saturday's result. Manager Peter Gerhardsson's squad has outscored opponents 36-3 during this stretch with six shutouts. 

https://twitter.com/RealBSchwarze/status/1380956469017899011

Team USA had only been held to one goal twice in its previous 16 matches. It took a controversial call Saturday for the Americans to get on the board, which is a testament to how well Sweden's defense played all day.

https://twitter.com/caitlinmurr/status/1380953935746277380

Gerhardsson has a veteran-laden roster that has proved capable of competing with anyone in the world. Falk was excellent in goal and stifled a potent U.S. offense for most of the day. 

Sweden will walk away from Saturday's match with a moral victory, but there's no doubt this squad is a threat to the U.S. next time these two square off.

 

What's Next?

The U.S. women's national team will wrap up its two-game international friendly schedule Tuesday against France at Stade Oceane in Le Havre, France, at 3 p.m. ET on ESPN2. Sweden will take on Poland in a friendly on Tuesday. 

                

The United States women's national team's window to choose an Olympic roster is narrowing. 

The latest Olympic auditions for players will be held on Saturday when the squad visits Sweden. Head coach Vlatko Andonovski can only choose 18 players to come with the squad this summer to Tokyo, and the two friendlies against Sweden and France could give him more clarity in the decision-making process. 

While most of the focus is on the buildup to the Olympics, Saturday will also be about honoring the career of Carli Lloyd.

The USWNT midfielder is set to become the third-ever American soccer player to earn 300 caps. Kristine Lilly and Christie Pearce are the other Americans to achieve that feat. 

               

USWNT vs. Sweden Info

Date: Saturday, April 10

Start Time: 1:10 p.m. ET 

TV: Fox

Live Stream: FoxSports.com or Fox Sports app 

Odds (via DraftKings Sportsbook): United States (-278; bet $278 to win $100); Sweden (+650; bet $100 to win $650)

     

Preview

The USWNT has the two friendlies with Sweden and France lined up for April, and then there are international windows this summer to prepare for the Olympic tournament.

Saturday's match should provide the USWNT with yet another test in the buildup to the gold-medal hunt. The matchup itself comes with an edge since Sweden eliminated the USWNT in the 2016 Olympics, as Alex Morgan noted to USA Today's Nancy Armour. 

https://twitter.com/nrarmour/status/1380504988145836033

The USWNT finished fifth at the Rio Olympics. It marked the first time the squad did not reach the gold-medal match. 

Sweden is one of three European teams headed for Tokyo. Sweden, Great Britain and the Netherlands qualified through their performance at the 2019 World Cup. 

Morgan returned to competitive international play during the SheBelieves Cup. She was one of five scorers in the tournament-clinching win over Argentina on February 24. 

The USWNT opened the 2021 schedule with five consecutive wins in which it outscored opponents 19-0. Its lowest margin of victory was a 1-0 win over Canada on February 19. 

With the attack and defense playing well, it will be hard for Andonovski to narrow his roster down to 18 deserving players, which could mean some veterans are left out of the squad. 

Lloyd, 38, has a knack for elevating her play in the biggest games, including the 2015 World Cup final, but she is one of the oldest members of the squad and could be left home in favor of younger goal scorers. 

42 different opponents. 20,000+ minutes on the field for @USWNT.@CarliLloyd is on the cusp of reaching an incredible landmark: 300 🇺🇸🧢.

For those of us lucky enough to be at @bcplace in 2015, this goal will always be a 🤯 moment. #Carli300 pic.twitter.com/FXjzpsVeXP

— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) April 10, 2021

Saturday will not be about an Olympic roster decision for Lloyd, since she will be celebrated for making her 300th international appearance. 

Lloyd told Kevin Baxter of the Los Angeles Times that she feels the best she has during her illustrious career. 

"I've never felt this fit in my career," Lloyd said. "I've never felt this explosive. My game has evolved over the years and I've become smarter tactically as well."

Lloyd's Olympic status may be in better shape after the pair of European-based friendlies since Catarina Macario was not released for international duty because of a COVID-19 outbreak at Lyon.

The 21-year-old, who made a switch to represent the USWNT instead of Brazil, is pushing to make the Olympic roster, but she has had a limited amount of time to impress Andonovski in game play. 

For the USWNT players on the current roster, they will face Sweden for the first time since 2017 and put a 37-game unbeaten streak and 16-game winning streak on the line. Those streaks made the USWNT an overwhelming betting favorite for the friendly at -278.

      

Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90.

Statistics obtained from USSoccer.com.

    

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United States women's national team star Megan Rapinoe responded to Golden State Warriors star Draymond Green after he said female athletes aren't doing enough to close the pay gap between them and their male counterparts.

"You obviously kind of showed your whole ass in not even understanding what we all talk about all the time," Rapinoe told reporters Wednesday. "... You don't think we've asked for more funding? What are we screaming about nonstop? That was really disappointing, and from someone who has such a big platform, that's just not acceptable at all."

In a series of tweets on March 27, Green said female athletes need to address decision-makers and corporate partners directly to affect the kind of change they're pursuing:

The business. Stop allowing them to yell women empowerment for the look. No company grows without funding. Y’all business can grow with the proper funding and story telling. Make these huge companies commit money to y’all cause. That’s empowering! Or don’t yell women empowerment

— Draymond Green (@Money23Green) March 27, 2021

Well a huge part of that is because the payoff isn’t as big. It’s not the norm. How do you change the norm and y’all keep doing the same thing? All these companies yelling women empowerment can easily endorse Paige to make up for the lack of payment in y’all league.

— Draymond Green (@Money23Green) March 27, 2021

They can easily tell y’all stories. But they don’t have to because the request that are being made are falling on deaf ears because y’all keep saying pay me more, with no way to drive the revenue. Force hands! Paige number#1 pick 2021!

— Draymond Green (@Money23Green) March 27, 2021

Break the mold and change the game! Most importantly, change the BUSINESS. Call on these companies for support, after all they are using y’all to push WOMEN EMPOWERMENT , but not helping y’all. They’re simply saving face.

— Draymond Green (@Money23Green) March 27, 2021

Green addressed the comments during a media call and reiterated his argument, claiming that women athletes aren't taking enough action:

"I'm really tired of seeing them complain about the lack of pay, b/c they're doing themselves a disservice by just complaining."
Today Draymond talked about his Tweets about women's sports that received criticism from athletes like @mPinoe & @Layshiac @kron4news #DubNation pic.twitter.com/7iUQ982jx9

— Kylen Mills (@KylenMills) April 1, 2021

Notable voices chimed in to counter attempts to grow the women's sports ecosystem have been ongoing and that making process in that area is a two-way street:

love this dialogue so imma hop in🤍✊🏿.

stories are being told but until there is equity in the room where decisions are made... it will not be a priority.

the only thing right now shifting the paradigm is solidarity amongst women, we need men & allies to keep that same energy. https://t.co/CzcVwXhjCZ

— Chiney Ogwumike (@chiney) March 27, 2021

We appreciate u jumping in on the convo @Money23Green The nba & its players r the only ones sitting at these tables from a position of power. So if we really want to hold companies feet to the fire, y’all r the only ones with the leverage to really put these changes in motion https://t.co/z0x437xJGy

— napheesa collier (@PHEEsespieces) March 27, 2021

Let’s be careful not to place the responsibility to fix the problem of a patriarchal society’s apathetic view of women in sports on WOMEN. Just like we shouldn’t charge POC with fixing the issues associated racism. But certainly appreciate you watching and searching for solutions https://t.co/ZHGaFc7NSj

— Maria Taylor (@MariaTaylor) March 27, 2021

Team USA stars Nneka Ogwumike and Angel McCoughtry also addressed the conversation to dispute the narrative Green presented:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBqlr5SKks8

Discussions about the differences in resources allocated to men's and women's sports aren't anything new, but they emerged again recently during the NCAA basketball tournament.

Stanford sports performance coach Ali Kershner shared a photo comparing the fitness equipment afforded to the men's and women's players. Whereas the men were provided an array of machines and stations, the women had a weight set and yoga mats. A video by Oregon star Sedona Prince providing more background on the disparities has been viewed 17.6 million times.

Alex Azzi of NBC Sports detailed other areas in which the NCAA failed to provide equal treatment.

It merely underscored a point supporters of women's sports have made for years. The University of Minnesota's Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport determined in December 2013 that women accounted for 40 percent of the athlete population and received just four percent of the media coverage.

The pay gap has become an important cause for Rapinoe after she and other members of the USWNT sued U.S. Soccer in March 2019 over unequal pay and treatment compared to the men's national team. The Wall Street Journal's Rachel Bachman noted the USWNT had generated more revenue than the men following their 2015 Women's World Cup win.