USA open SheBelieves Cup campaign with a 2-0 win over Canada amid equal pay protests

Mallory Swanson scored a pair of first-half goals as the United States beat Canada 2-0 Thursday night in a SheBelieves Cup game marred by a labor dispute between the Canadian players and their federation.

Canadian women wore purple jerseys during the pre-game national anthems that read ‘Enough is enough’. Before kickoff, the American players linked arms with their Canadian counterparts in the center circle in a show of solidarity.

The women of Canada are negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement that would give them the same salary as their male counterparts. They say they haven’t been paid yet for 2022.

‘Historically, purple has been associated with efforts to achieve gender equality’ the Canadian Players Association said in a statement on Thursday. “Given the current circumstances, our players will continue to wear purple until our association has rules that guarantee equal treatment and opportunities.”

The players initially said they planned to boycott the team’s activities around the tournament, but were told by Canada Soccer that their labor action amounted to an illegal strike.

Mallory Swanson walks away to celebrate after scoring her second goal against Canada

Swanson (centre) has now scored in each of their last four games and is in fine form.

The players came together before the game to show their solidarity with Canada’s labor dispute.

In the previous game of the SheBelieves Cup on Thursday at Exploria Stadium, Brazil beat Japan 1-0 with a late goal from Debinha following a cross from Marta, who was playing her first game since tearing her left ACL in March. past.

The four-team SheBelieves Cup moves to Nashville, Tennessee, on Sunday. All four teams have qualified for the World Cup.

Swanson scored his fourth goal of the new year after seven minutes. He added a second in the 34th.

Formerly Mallory Pugh, Swanson married Chicago Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson in December. She has scored 30 goals for the United States and has scored in each of the last four games.

Fans in the crowd held up banners in support of the Canadian team, which was on strike.

Team Canada wore purple ‘ENOUGH’ jerseys before the game.

Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher saved Janine Beckie’s attempt for Canada in first half stoppage time.

American players used the occasion to draw attention to LGBTQ rights in Florida, some wearing wristbands that read ‘Defend trans joy’ along with purple wristbands in support of the Canada players.

Alex Morgan was honored before the game for her 200th appearance for the national team, which came late last year against Germany.