The winds of labor and legal strife threaten to blow the United States women’s national soccer team’s quest for gold off course.
The U.S. Soccer Federation on Wednesday filed a lawsuit in federal court against the Women’s National Team Players Association. The move comes just six months before Team USA is scheduled to head to Brazil in search of a gold medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
U.S. Soccer said in a statement it has taken legal action in order to preserve the current negotiating climate (which would effectively prevent the players from striking), as the sides try to forge a new collective bargaining agreement with the players this year, according to The Washington Post’s Steve Goff.
The Guardian’s Caitlin Murray explained what will happen if U.S. Soccer or the players win this battle.
“If the court rules in favor of U.S. Soccer, the fight that the union appears to be gearing up for will be delayed until the year’s end,” Murray writes.
“But if the court rules with the union, it could have major implications for the national team and the NWSL this year as both are still riding the success of the World Cup and looking ahead to the Rio Olympics. The players would be able to strike and if a strike lasts through summer, U.S. Soccer says they may need to drop out of the Olympics.”
Team USA’s legions of fans are hoping they sort this one out quickly.
Thumbnail photo via Soobum Im/USA TODAY Sports Images
