Equal pay mediation talks break down between USWNT and U.S. Soccer Federation

Mediation talks between the U.S. Women's National Team and the U.S. Soccer Federation ended Wednesday without any resolution or agreement to hold discussions again.

More than two dozen members of the team filed a federal gender discrimination lawsuit against the USSF in March, alleging in the suit that "the female players have been consistently paid less money than their male counterparts. This is true even though their performance has been superior to that of the male players — with the female players, in contrast to male players, becoming world champions."

The team's spokeswoman, Molly Levinson, said when mediation talks began earlier this week, the players were "full of hope. Today, we must conclude these meetings sorely disappointed in the Federation's determination to perpetuate fundamentally discriminatory workplace conditions and behavior."

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In response, USSF spokesman Neil Buethe told USA Today the team has received "compensation and support that exceeds any other women's team in the world. Despite inflammatory statements from their spokesperson, which are intended to paint our actions inaccurately and unfairly, we are undaunted in our efforts to continue discussions in good faith."