U.S. Soccer President Carlos Cordeiro issues apology to USWNT for language in court filing

U.S. Soccer President Carlos Cordeiro has issued an apology on behalf of the Federation for language used in this week’s court filing in their ongoing pay dispute with the U.S. Women’s National Team players.

The Federation received significant backlash this week after language from the court documents was publicized, including claims that playing for the U.S. men’s team requires “more responsibility” and “requires materially different skill” than playing on the women’s side.

Several USSF sponsors, including Coca-Cola, publicly reprimanded the Federation for their language, and stating that the company had asked to “meet with [U.S. Soccer] immediately to express our concerns”.

Just hours later, while the U.S. Women’s National Team was wrapping up the SheBelieves Cup with a victory over Japan, Cordeiro released the following apology:

“On behalf of U.S. Soccer, I sincerely apologize for the offense and pain caused by language in this week’s court filing, which did not reflect the values of our Federation or our tremendous admiration of our Women’s National Team. Our WNT players are incredibly talented and work tirelessly, as they have demonstrated time and again from their Olympic Gold medals to their World Cup titles.

Even as we continue to defend the Federation in court, we are making immediate changes. I have asked the firm of Latham & Watkins to join and guide our legal strategy going forward. I have made it clear to our legal team that even as we debate facts and figures in the course of this case, we must do so with the utmost respect not only for our Women’s National Team players but for all female athletes around the world. As we do, we will continue to work to resolve this suit in the best interest of everyone involved.”