The United States Women’s National Soccer Team has been in the spotlight for a while now. They have recently won two World Cup’s, one in 2015 and another in 2019. Recently, the United States National Women’s Soccer Team has been named TIME’s Athletes of the year. 

The 2019 Women’s World Cup caught the eyes of their fans around the world. The US National Women’s Soccer Team has gone through many ups and downs throughout its formation due to the argument of equal pay and debates surrounding equality in sports. But, that only makes them work harder. One of the team captains on the team, Megan Rapinoe, inspires many around the world, fighting for equal rights. 

She told TIME, “‘We’re here, we’re coming with armies and ladders on all sides of our platform,’… “We want to bring people up. We’re not going anywhere. And we will change the world.’” (Gregory). 

The team in general has been through many uncomfortable situations involving gender equality. Since the 1980s the girls have been treated less than their male counterparts, dealing with bug-infested hotel rooms, cramped travel, and poor field conditions. This longstanding pattern of poor treatment led the women to sue their bosses for gender discrimination on March 8, 2019, which is also International Women’s Day, right before they set foot in France. This team is playing for more than a trophy; they are playing for women’s rights too.

This team fights for everything. “The message was unmissable: If you fight for something bigger than yourself, and earn every scrap of it, why shouldn’t you enjoy the ride?” (Gregory).

Despite their winning reputation and efforts to close the gender pay gap, there are many people who question why these women act the way they do in regards to their treatment as athletes. 

Christen Press told TIME. “‘It’s someone’s prerogative to be saying, ‘They shouldn’t be doing this,’… ‘And what makes our team what it is nobody cares’’’ (Gregory).      

Overall, these girls may be considered the strongest girls in the world, but they are still fighting for equal pay. The Women’s National Soccer Team only wants to continue to play the sport that they love. As they continue to fight for equal rights as athletes, they also continue to inspire other women around the world. The girls have done nothing but work hard and set a good example for girls who look up to them.