USSF offers women same pay as men for matches it controls

 The U.S. Soccer Federation says it has offered the women's national team equal pay to male counterparts for matches under USSF control but maintains the women's union wants bonuses for tournaments such as the World Cup to match those of the men.

"Since extending this offer, we have made multiple attempts to meet with the WNT to discuss these new options," USSF President Carlos Corderio

Players on the U.S. women's national team are seeking more than $66 million in damages as part of their

FIFA awarded $400 million in prize money for the 2018 men's World Cup, including $38 million to champion France, and $30 million for last year's Women's World Cup, including $4 million to the U.S. after the Americans won their second straight title. FIFA has increased the total to $440 million for the 2022 men's World Cup and FIFA President Gianni Infantino has proposed FIFA double the women's prize money to $60 million for 2023.

FIFA pays bonuses to national federations, which each makes its own deal with its players.

Cordeiro said the USSF also had responsibility to invest in youth national teams and other programs, such as player, coach and referee development.

"There is indeed a significant difference in World Cup prize money awarded by FIFA to the men's and women's championship teams," Cordeiro wrote. "However, it is not reasonable or fiscally sound for U.S. Soccer to make up the gap. It would seriously impair our ability to support our mission and invest in these other critical developmental areas."

The

The USSF repeatedly has pointed out women's national team players have benefits the men do not, including guaranteed annual salaries, medical and dental insurance, child-care assistance, and pregnancy and parental leave.