USWNT ahead of their match against Mexico.

For longtime U.S.  Soccer fans, it’s a little too clear which of our teams is more successful internationally. While the FIFA Men’s World Cup gets more publicity and brings more fans to stadiums around the world – that isn’t the case in the US. While our men’s team improves each year, and though we look forward to their future success, we all know that they cannot compare with the women’s team in terms of success abroad. For the United States, soccer is consistently won by the women.

With three World Cup championships and countless gold medals, the U.S. Women’s National Team is the team to beat, and everyone in the world knows it. U.S. Soccer figures show that last year over 16 million dollars of profit came from the women’s team while their male counterparts incurred a 2 million dollar loss for the Federation.

Both sides are skilled, strong, competitive, and have a work ethic that far outpaces the average American, but it is simply factual to say the women’s side is far more recognized for their soccer prowess both nationally and internationally. Why is it then, that the incredibly talented women playing for the U.S. have to sue their own federation for equality?

Wage disparity between males and females has been an issue for generations. This is not the first time, and most likely not the last time, that women have pointed out that they do the same job in the same way with the same or even greater success and receive less compensation for their work. It is a fight that will continue, however the disparity of respect towards these athletes cannot be clearer.

The women’s side is more successful and earns more money for their federation; therefore they should, at minimum, be put on the same pay scale as the men’s side. The USWNT not only earns more for the Federation than the men’s team, but it also draws the same amount of fans as the men’s team.

In general, the egregious wage gap doesn’t make sense.The international community’s acceptance of women’s soccer has consistently increased over the last few decades with some international soccer leagues being established as far back as 1973. The level of competition for women’s soccer is only getting stronger. Our women lead the pack yet their compensation doesn’t reflect their worth.

The wage gap will not be solved over this issue, but the way we treat our athletes is a marker for how we will make change. When we recognized that an athlete can compete no matter their ethnicity, we made a step. When we recognized that an athlete should be allowed to compete no matter what their sex, we made a step.

The U.S. Soccer federation has done a lot for women’s soccer. They are leaders, but now their dedication to athletic equality is in question. In recognition of the United States Women Soccer Team’s success and their continued determination to give their best despite unequal treatment, it’s time another step was made. It’s time for U.S. Soccer to even the wage gap.

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