Megan Rapinoe: United States star sends message of gratitude to USMNT over pay battle

The Reign forward is fighting for parity between the men and women representing the stars and stripes

Megan Rapinoe has thanked the United States men’s national team for supporting the women in their battle for equal pay.

The USMNT have shown solidarity with Rapinoe and her teammates as their disagreement with the authorities drags into a fifth year.

Rapinoe has driven the push for a back payment totalling around $67 million.

Last month, the US men’s team’s union accused the the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) of using a ”false narrative”, something that did not go unnoticed by Rapinoe.

“It was much appreciated,” Rapinoe said ahead of the USA’s SheBelieves Cup opener on Thursday.

Megan Rapinoe has thanked the USMNT (Getty)

“(The men) have been a little light on statements before, you need to be educated if you weigh in and it seems like they took time to make the statement they wanted but I have been saying for a long time that we all have to stand together.

“They think they deserve more money too and they said that. If they are being underpaid it’s likely we are being underpaid too so it was a nice show of support and I look forward to more solidarity between the two teams.

“I don’t know about sooner rather than later but I am very confident of a positive outcome.”

A class-action gender discrimination lawsuit against the USSF was filed by 28 players from the USWNT, with a trial expected in May.

Julie Ertz echoed Rapinoe’s thoughts with solidarity between the two teams strengthened in recent months.

“We know our platform and how important it is to make it better on and off the field. You fight for what you believe is right,” Ertz said.

“The support from the men is incredible. It’s important. We can’t do it alone. That was huge and great to hear.”