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Published -
- August 6, 2019
- 2:20 am
Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe from the USA Women’s Soccer Team talk about winning the World Cup.
Also why the team is so good, fighting for equal pay, their victory coming at the perfect time, and since they won’t be visiting the White House, Jimmy surprises them with the Donald Trump fast food treatment.
How did Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe contribute to the USWNT’s success in the 2019 World Cup?
Alex Morgan & Megan Rapinoe on Winning the World Cup & Equal Pay
The United States women’s national soccer team achieved a historic feat in July 2019 by winning their fourth World Cup title in Lyon, France. The squad, widely regarded as one of the best in women’s soccer history, defeated the Netherlands 2-0 in the final to cap off a dominant tournament run, which saw them score 26 goals and concede three.
Two of the team’s most vocal leaders, forward Alex Morgan and midfielder Megan Rapinoe, played integral roles in the team’s success on and off the field. Morgan, who scored six goals in the tournament, including the game-winner against England in the semifinals, was awarded the Silver Boot as the tournament’s second-highest scorer. Rapinoe, who also scored six goals, including a penalty in the final, was named the tournament’s best player and received the Golden Boot and Golden Ball awards.
However, the USWNT’s triumph was not without controversy. The team had been embroiled in a legal battle with the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) for years over pay equity and other issues, with the players alleging that they were being paid less than the men’s national team despite having equal qualifications and achieving greater success.
The World Cup victory shone a spotlight on the issue of equal pay, and Morgan and Rapinoe used their newfound platform to speak out about the issue. In an interview with CNN’s Anderson Cooper, Rapinoe said, “We’re sort of done with the kneeling, we’re done with the conversations. We need equal pay… I mean, I think everyone is ready for this conversation to move to the next step.”
Morgan echoed Rapinoe’s sentiments, telling NBC’s Today show, “We just won a World Cup, and the argument could be made that we deserve to be paid equally to our male counterparts. And I think it’s high time that we come together and really take a stand on that.”
Their calls for pay equity struck a chord with fans and supporters around the world, who took to social media and other platforms to voice their support for the team’s cause. The USWNT’s success also sparked a nationwide debate about gender discrimination in sports and beyond, with many calling for equal pay and opportunities for women in all areas of society.
In March 2020, the USWNT took a major step forward in their fight for equal pay when a federal judge ruled in their favor in their lawsuit against the USSF. The judge allowed the case to proceed as a class action lawsuit, and the players scored a major victory when they were granted clearance to pursue their claims of unequal pay and working conditions as a group.
Despite the ongoing legal battle, the USWNT’s World Cup victory and their continued advocacy for pay equity have inspired young girls and women around the globe to pursue their dreams and stand up for their rights. Morgan and Rapinoe have become symbols of a movement for gender equality that has only just begun, and their impact will be felt for generations to come.
