Canada & USWNT participate in joint protest at SheBelieves Cup over pay equity
By Ali Rampling
The USWNT showed solidarity with Canada in their fight for pay equity ahead of the pair's SheBelieves Cup opener on Thursday.
Canada had planned to be on strike during the invitational friendly tournament in protest over funding cuts made to their programme, but were threatened with extensive legal action by Canada Soccer, who deemed the strike 'unlawful'.
“This is not over," captain Christine Sinclair wrote on Twitter after her side returned to training. "We will continue to fight for everything we deserve and we will win."
Before their SheBelieves Cup clash with the USWNT - the first time Canada had been in action since their pay equity dispute was made public - Canadian players wore purple warm up tops emblazoned with the phrase 'Enough is Enough'.
Ahead of kick off, the two sides linked arms in a huddle in the centre circle. Both sides wore purple tape on their wrist - the colour synonymous with gender equality movements.
The USWNT went on to record a 2-0 victory thanks to two first half goals from Mallory Swanson. Canada boss Bev Priestman admitted the emotionally exhausting week had taken its toll on her side.
"This isn't fixed overnight," Priestman said. "So we've got to push through. We've got to turn it around now and be fresh-faced and be ready to go again for game two. Because there's probably five games before a World Cup right now. That's the difficult position we're in.
"It's difficult. I'm exhausted, they're exhausted. But we have to find a way. These things can be the reason this team wins a World Cup. These moments make you. Adversity makes you."
The USWNT are accustomed to fighting equality battles of their own, and pledged their support for Canada.
“Although we are now on the other side of this fight and can focus on our play on the field, our counterparts in Canada and elsewhere are experiencing the same pervasive misogyny and unequal treatment that we faced,” the USWNT Players Association said in a statement.
“We stand with all women’s footballers in calling attention to their collective fight, but also call on everyone to join and support the fight to eradicate all inequality and discrimination that exists in our sport.”
The two sides also showed their support for transgender rights in response to recent legislation in Florida, where the fixture was played.
Both teams wore white tape inscribed with the message 'Defend Trans Joy'. Legislation was introduced in November to prevent transgender children receiving gender affirming health care in Florida.