- Title: U.S. women's national soccer team document their fight for equal pay in new film
- Date: 18th June 2021
- Summary: CRIOSSY SUR SEINE, FRANCE (FILE - JUNE 27, 2019) (REUTERS) MCDONALD PRACTING BEFORE WORLD CUP GAME RAPINOE PRACTING BEFORE WORLD CUP GAME WIDE OF WOMEN'S SOCCER TEAM ON THE FIELD
- Embargoed: 2nd July 2021 21:23
- Keywords: documentary equal pay fight film jessica mcdonald ladies megan rapinoe movie red carpet soccer sport women
- Location: UNKNOWN FILM LOCATIONS / NEW YORK, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES / CRIOSSY SUR SEINE, FRANCE
- City: UNKNOWN FILM LOCATIONS / NEW YORK, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES / CRIOSSY SUR SEINE, FRANCE
- Country: USA
- Topics: Arts/Culture/Entertainment,Film,United States
- Reuters ID: LVA003EHXJDJ3
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: EDIT CONTAINS PROFANITY
U.S. women's national soccer stars are showcasing their ongoing fight for equal pay in a new documentary "LFG."
Athletes Meghan Rapinoe and Jessica McDonald rested their cleats and walked the red carpet at the film's premiere at the Tribeca Festival on Thursday (June 17).
The women's team sued their governing body in 2019, alleging gender discrimination in compensation and nearly every other aspect of playing conditions and months later picked up their fourth World Cup as fans chanted "equal pay" during the final.
Last year a judge threw out the players' claims that they were underpaid compared with the men's national team and weeks later denied the players' bid to appeal until the working conditions element was settled.
The players, said they plan to appeal the ruling on equal pay after the judge granted final approval to the settlement on working conditions, which includes travel and playing conditions.
On the red carpet Rapinoe said she hopes that women see themselves in the film.
"We obviously know not everybody gets to stand where I'm standing with, you know, this mic and have a movie. But so many people, so many women around the world go through the exact same things that we're going through."
McDonald, who had a son in 2012, said she was thrilled to be a part of the film: "I felt as if the world should know, hey, this is what we go through, especially as moms."
The title of the film, "LFG" comes from the team's rally cry before hitting the field - Let's F'ing Go - something director Andrea Nix Fine felt represented their fight.
"I really wanted to have something - I mean, for us, it's not just about this one film. It's sort of the whole movement of going forward and asking for what you deserve and the value that you deserve."
The women's team members are set to compete in the Tokyo Games, where they will vie for their fifth Olympic gold.
The film will begin streaming on HBOMax on June 24.
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