Gold For Pennies

By Pratham Subrahmanya

On July 7th 2019, the USA women’s soccer team would be facing the Netherlands for the final game in the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup: the most prestigious stage any female soccer player could dream of. Other than the Olympics, it was the biggest platform these women could use to make their country proud. There are 57,900 in France attending this once in 4 year game. The American fans are so proud of their team, but are not in shock. In fact, it was almost expected that the US women’s soccer team would end up in the World Cup final. Actually, before this tournament had even started, the female stars had generated outstanding performances that led them to 3 World Cup final wins. Not just appearances.

The game had a slow start to it, having 0 goals in the 1st half. American supporters grew nervous as they saw their chance of ultimate pride becoming slimmer and slimmer. 61 minutes in, a penalty came in favor of the USA. Captain Megan Rapinoe is up staring at the goalie. She feels the pressure of the moment, but doesn’t let that phase her, striking a beauty, low and precise into the back of the net. At 69 minutes, Rose Lavelle pits on a series of moves as she approaches the goal. She sends a bullet into the right of the goal and BAM! Another goal for the USA. As the game went on, the USA’s superb defense kept the Netherlands to 0 goals, winning the match 2-0. The players are filled with adrenaline, cheer and celebrate their immense victory. They have accomplished another one for the history books. 4 FIFA World Cup Wins. Not to mention their soon-to-be 4 Olympic Gold Medals. This group of women is the best of the best. They have accomplished two feats that the USA men’s team has never done, and they have done it 4 times each. They deserve to be recognized as the top athletes in America, but that’s not what ends up happening.

In fact, men make almost double the amount women do for World Cup Appearances. Additionally, per-game, men make about 12% more money than the women do, regardless of team success. The team’s vocal leader, Megan Rapinoe has voiced her opinion several times in disgust of these unfair wage gaps. As a result, she and her teammate counterparts ended up filing for a lawsuit in 2019. The battle with this case is considered to be one of the most controversial ones ever. In surprise to those who have moral minds, the case was dismissed. The clear statistics shown and the unbelievable accomplishments achieved, but still, the ones in power put women down. To be blunt, these women have achieved so much more than the men’s team could ever dream of, and only because of their gender are they being forced to settle down into a stereotype that allows men to succeed and women to adjust accordingly. As the structure of society is built, women have to work much harder. Players including Jessica McDonald talk about how it is more than just money. Having to take care of children as a stereotypical “house-mom” should, along with balancing her work as a world-class athlete, she does not see the rewards adding up. Olympians and world class female athletes are being forced to work multiple jobs just to maintain their livelihoods.

All we learn is that, the way society is built is such that men can have lives they want, but women cannot have their successes within boundaries that do not conflict with their male counterparts. Just like the gold rush of the 1800s, women work for gold and settle for pennies.