In a major victory for U.S. Soccer, a federal judge on Friday dismissed the unequal pay claim brought by the World Cup champion women’s national team, ruling that the evidence offers by the players’ lawyers was “insufficient to create a genuine issue of material fact for trial.”
The team’s allegation of discriminatory travel accommodations and medical supports services will go to trial.
The players filed suit against the federation 13 months ago, claiming they were paid less than players on the U.S. men’s team for performing the same work. U.S. Soccer countered by citing the collective-bargaining agreement the women signed with the federation, one which includes an annual salary and other guaranteed benefit such as health care and family leave that members of the men team do not receive.