U.S. SOCCER VICE PRESIDENT CINDY PARLOW CONE TAKES OVER
U.S. Soccer President Carlos Cordeiro steps down in a swirl of criticism over legal battles with the U.S. Women’s Team over equal pay.
Note: It is really just hard to believe that an argument on page 19 reflects an argument that the legal team had not discussed with the President of U.S. Soccer. It is not just the wording, it is the intent to minimize.`
Never a dull moment in the world of soccer. Even when all MLS, USL, NISA, NWSL, NPSL, UPSL, as well as the U.S. Soccer Development Academy and US Youth Soccer games are postponed, there is still action in American soccer.
Carlos Cordeiro, the President of the U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF) decided to resign late yesterday, tweeting it has been an “incredible privilege to serve as the President of U.S. Soccer.” The post included a copy of his letter of resignation, effective immediately.
It has been an incredible privilege to serve as the President of U.S. Soccer.
— Carlos Cordeiro (@CACSoccer) March 13, 2020
My one and only mission has always been to do what is best for our Federation.
After discussions with the Board of Directors, I have decided to step down, effective immediately. My full statement: pic.twitter.com/4B7siuIqcL
Cordeiro Quit Over Quote From Legal Brief, “The job of MNT player requires materially different skill and more responsibility than Plaintiffs’ job…”
DEFENDANT’S MEMORANDUM OF POINTS AND AUTHORITIES IN OPPOSITION TO PLAINTIFFS’ MOTION FOR PARTIAL SUMMARY JUDGMENT, Case No. 2:19-cv-01717-RGK-AGR
Cordeiro is well known for his meticulous attention to detail and it is surprising that he failed to see the inflammatory language in Alex Morgan, et al (WNT) v U.S. Soccer Federation Defendant’s Memorandum court filings. The court date, March 30th at 9 AM is looming large. Below is the PDF of the legal memorandum.
“My one and only mission has always been to do what is best for our Federation, and it has become clear to me that what is best right now is a new direction,” Cordeiro’s statement said. “The arguments and language contained in this week’s legal filing caused great offense and pain, especially to our extraordinary Women’s National Team players who deserve better.”
If the wording was “unacceptable and inexcusable,” how did Cordeiro miss it?
In the section: WNT and MNT Players Do Not Perform Equal Work Requiring Equal Skill, Effort, and Responsibility Under Similar Working Conditions on Page 19 of 30
“Plaintiffs are not entitled to summary judgment on their EPA claims because a reasonable juror could conclude that the job of MNT player requires materially different skill and more responsibility than Plaintiffs’ job does, while also taking place under materially different working conditions. Simply put, they are materially different jobs that cannot be compared under the EPA.”
On CNN: Megan Rapinoe tears into US Soccer with a powerful message in response to what USSF: “To every girl out there, to every boy out there, who watches this team, who wants to be on this team or just wants to live their dream out ….”
“you are not lesser just because you’re a girl. You are not better just because you’re a boy.”
CNN: Megan Rapinoe tears into US Soccer with a powerful message
Are the women paid equally? It has been clearly established that a pay gap existed. Recently, U.S. Soccer issued a statement regarding their offer to resolve the gender discrimination lawsuit filed by the U.S. Women’s National Team filed against the USSF. American women seek more than $66M in damages from US Soccer is the Associated Press recap of this the class-action lawsuit.
Chants of “Equal Pay! Equal Pay!” have been heard across the country.
The USWNT took to the field with their warm-up jerseys inside out, hiding the US Soccer crest in response to the legal filings.
The battle between the U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT) and their employer USSF had heated up earlier this month after Cordeiro released an ‘open letter’ explaining the Federation’s perspective and frustration that a resolution had not been reached. The timing, as well as the tone of Cordeiro’s letter, raised many red flags.
The link on U.S. Soccer to this open letter is no longer valid.
Cordeiro released the open letter the day before the Women played their second SheBelieves match on International Women’s Day.
Read: U.S. SOCCER PROPOSES EQUAL PAY FOR WOMEN AND MEN
Cindy Parlow Cone, a two-time Olympic Gold medalist, and 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup champion, as well as the former head coach for NWSL’s Portland Thorns FC, will automatically step up from Vice-President and assume the role of President.
According to U.S. Soccer’s statement: Parlow Cone will serve as President until the 2021 U.S. Soccer Annual General Meeting next February in Atlanta. At that time, there will be an election for U.S. Soccer President for a one-year term to see out Cordeiro’s original tenure.
In 2022, the regular election for U.S. Soccer President will be held for the next four-year term.
Cone was elected as Vice President of U.S. Soccer in February of 2019 at the U.S. Soccer Annual General Meeting serving in the position for a year, completing the term that was vacated by Cordeiro when he was elected as president in 2018. Parlow Cone then was re-elected to a full, four-year term at the 2020 AGM this past February.
“I want to thank Carlos for his many years of hard work and dedication on behalf of U.S. Soccer,” said Parlow Cone. “He is a good man with a good heart and his significant work to help bring the 2026 World Cup to the United States will have a positive impact for generations. The passion that has come to the surface in the past two days is what inspires me to look forward, to work hard towards mending relationships and moving the game forward for all.”
To make it easier to read, here is the tweeted letter of resignation.
