“This fight wasn’t just for us, it was for our daughters too.” These powerful words from Alex Morgan about the USWNT‘s equal pay battle highlight just how much the movement meant—not only for players like her but also to secure a fair future for the next generation. Sparked by a wage discrimination claim filed in 2016 and strengthened by a class-action lawsuit signed by 28 players in 2019, the U.S. women’s team finally earned its well-deserved justice in 2022.

While the spotlight has mostly shone on modern-day icons like Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe, U.S. Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone recently highlighted the ‘important’ sacrifice made by the USMNT, crediting their support as a key factor in making equal pay a reality. Yep, you heard it correctly, and quite ironic, isn’t it? The entire movement revolved around securing equal per-game compensation with the men’s team during collective bargaining negotiations.

Yet, it was the American boys themselves who agreed to take some sort of pay cut in order to see their nation’s ladies get their deserved pay. “There were still a lot of things I hadn’t done that I wanted to do,” began Cindy while speaking on the latest episode of the RE—INC podcast to hosts Tobin Heath and Christen Press. “One was the women’s national team litigation. I wanted to resolve equal pay.”

Though the former two-time world champion had been eager to spark revolutionary change for nearly two decades, she found it quite amusing that it only took two years as president to finally “get it across the line.” That said, she didn’t shy away from giving credit where it was due. “I do have to give a lot of credit to our men’s national team.”

Cindy couldn’t quite recall the exact voting structure, guessing it required either 51% approval to pass—or perhaps even 99% support from the men—for the USWNT’s equal pay deal to go through. “No matter how you look at it, they were going to give up money to enable us to be able to do this. The fact that they got there and that they were willing to do it was really important,” concluded the US Soccer Federation President.

Be that as it may, this remains a strong talking point in favor of the Stars and Stripes—especially the American boys, who didn’t think twice about backing their fellow women in the fight for equal pay. Of course, much of the credit still goes to vocal leaders like Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe. And even though Cindy is far too modest to take credit for the equal pay victory, she might just deserve a pat on the back for accomplishing one of the biggest things the entire nation could have hoped for!

USWNT to host the 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup!

Shh… it’s not official but word around the town is that they are most likely to do so. Last time, it was FIFA President Gianni Infantino who admitted that the US Soccer Federation had placed the only bid for the 2031 edition. So, given how Cindy Parlow made her way for a brief chit-chat, Tobin Heath and Christen Press themselves had to ask the pressing question. When quizzed if the U.S. will get the 11th edition, Mrs. President responded, “Yes. In my brain, yes,” adding their bid is due at the end of April.

When asked if she was aware of any other potential bidders, the 1999 World Cup champion admitted, “I honestly don’t know. I don’t know if there will be another bid or not. I’m hoping not because that makes it a little bit easier.” Of course, the preference will initially be to avoid facing competition from other nations for the 2031 World Cup hosting rights.

But it’s quite impressive that they wish to remain a strong favorite to submit a bid. Not to mention the country is already set to host the 2026 Men’s World Cup, the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, and will also welcome the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the months ahead. So the schedule looks tight for Cindy Parlow and Co.