Megan Rapinoe & Alex Morgan support Canada women’s soccer team, calling treatment ‘f***ing wild’

Members of the United States women’s national soccer team publicly supported Canadian women’s soccer players in their dispute with their federation, just hours before they kickoff in the SheBelieves Cup.

Canada and the United States are traditionally rivals on the pitch, but away from it, the USWNT is backing their northern neighbors and their fight with Canada Soccer for equal distribution of resources, staffing, and funds.  

Last Friday, Canadian women’s players announced they were going on strike after negotiations didn’t progress.

That was met with a bold response from the Canadian Soccer Association (CSA), who threatened to sue individual players. The strike ended on Sunday.

Players were already in Orlando, Florida for the start of the three-match competition when the strike was called.

USWNT stars Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan, and Becky Sauerbrunn offered their support publicly in comments and social media posts. 

‘There are just some things that are so much bigger than what’s happening on the field, just basic human rights and respect and getting what they deserve,’ Rapinoe said. 

‘We’re talking about the Olympic champions here, so that was so well deserved and such a huge step forward for them. 

‘To have their federation meet them this way after winning a world championship is just f**king wild to me. We’re with them all the time.’

Alex Morgan, also commented on the action taken by the players, saying, ‘Canada is just getting started, and they know the long road ahead for them, because we just went through that. 

‘I hope it’s a shorter road for them, and we’ll do anything possible to try and publicize what they’re fighting for, and why they should achieve that.’

Answering a question asked by DailyMail.com on a Tuesday conference call, the players said they all received support from all their opponents at the tournament – the US, Brazil, and Japan.

‘Yeah, I mean, obviously, the world of women’s soccer is pretty small,’ Canada captain and all-time top International goalscorer Christine Sinclair joked.

‘We’re all teammates, with players from all the teams that we’re playing against in this FIFA window. Obviously, Janine and I are teammates with [USWNT captain] Becky [Sauerbrunn] and we’ve been in contact with her. 

‘But I mean, a bunch of players have reached out to offer their support. I mean, [the USWNT] were pioneers in this. And, you know, it’s because of them that, you know, a lot of other national teams have a leg to stand on. So, yeah, they’ve offered their support. They’re fully behind everything that we’re fighting for.’

‘They’ve been fantastic,’ forward Janine Beckie added. ‘I know multiple players have reached out to multiple on our team to share their their words of support and ask if there’s any way they can, they can be of help. So they’ve been fantastic.’

USWNT captain Becky Sauerbrunn said that there will be some form of a protest from at least one of – if not both of the teams.

‘I think you should plan on seeing some things for the game tomorrow,’ Sauerbrunn told ESPN. ‘Whether it be statements or on-field protests, I think there will be stuff that we are organizing and we are in full support of them.’

Canada’s players said they have not been paid by Canada Soccer at all as their negotiations continue. 

The team has also said that they will resume their strike for an upcoming FIFA international window in April if their issues aren’t fixed.