U.S. Soccer President Carlos Cordeiro resigns after backlash to sexist court filings

The President of the U.S. Soccer Federation, Carlos Cordeiro, resigned from his position on Thursday after facing backlash over sexist court filings in the equal pay lawsuit against the USWNT.

A tumultuous week for the U.S. Soccer Federation has resulted in the organization’s leader stepping down. On Thursday, Carlos Cordeiro announced he would be resigning as U.S. Soccer’s president.

The decision comes after the federation was criticized for presenting blatantly sexist arguments in court filings earlier this week regarding the U.S. women’s national team’s equal pay lawsuit. Cordeiro faced pressure from fans, former and current players, and even sponsors.

The USWNT is seeking $67 million in damages against U.S. Soccer for gender discrimination. On Monday, U.S. Soccer filed court documents defending their different rates of pay for the men’s and women’s national teams. In their argument, U.S. Soccer argued that women’s players were less skilled and had less demanding jobs than their male counterparts. In an attempt to prove they aren’t sexist, U.S. Soccer used the most sexist argument possible.

“The arguments and language contained in this week’s legal filing caused great offense and pain, especially to our extraordinary Women’s National Team players who deserve better,” Cordeiro wrote in his resignation. “It was unacceptable and inexcusable.”

The federation faced swift backlash when the filings became public. On Wednesday, The USWNT walked onto the pitch for the final match of the SheBelieves Cup with their jersey’s turned inside-out to hide the U.S. Soccer crest. The entire roster stood together for the team photo as a sign of unity.

Coca-Cola, Visa, Budweiser, and Volkswagen also released statements condemning U.S. Soccer’s language in the filing. Some sponsors demanded a meeting to discuss the filing with the federation. All of them affirmed their commitment to supporting the USWNT and women and girls around the world.

MLS Commissioner Don Garber released a statement on Thursday saying he was “shocked and angry.” He went on to add that the statements in the filing were “unacceptable and offensive.” Numerous current and former players called for Cordeiro to resign, including USWNT greats Abby Wambach, Heather O’Reilly, and Michelle Akers.

Following Cordeiro’s resignation, Cindy Parlow Cone will be the acting president of U.S. Soccer. Cone is a former midfielder for the USWNT and the inaugural head coach of the Portland Thorns. She was the first head coach to ever win an NWSL Championship. Now, she will be the first woman to serve as U.S. Soccer President.

The USWNT and their supporters appear happy with the change in leadership. But there is a recognition that the policies promoted by the federation were not tied to Cordeiro alone. And if the USWNT wants to see real change, they will have to continue to put pressure on the federation.

“While it is gratifying that there has been such a deafening outcry against USSF’s blatant misogyny, the sexist culture and policies overseen by Carlos Cordeiro have been approved for years by the board of directors of USSF,” Molly Levinson, the spokeswoman for the USWNT, said. “This institution must change.”