US soccer icon Alex Morgan bade an emotional farewell to football on Sunday as she played the final game of her glittering career before heading into retirement. The 35-year-old striker announced her decision to hang up her boots on Thursday after revealing she was pregnant with her second child. She played the first 13 minutes of the San Diego Wave's 4-l National Women's Soccer League loss to the visiting North Carolina Courage.

"What a ride it has been," Morgan told the cheering crowd after the match. "I want to thank my teammates who have constantly challenged me every day and made me better.

"There have been so many incredible moments in my career but this last moment I share on the field with you I will cherish forever. So from the bottom of my heart, thank you."

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Thank you for absolutely everything, Alex Morgan. <a href="https://t.co/mIKaOS6Bkx">pic.twitter.com/mIKaOS6Bkx</a>
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Morgan, who wiped away tears after speaking, thanked her family for support and sacrifice and told her fans: "You pushed me to be my best self every day.

"You pushed me to be the best soccer player, the best mom, the best person I could be just showing up every day and supporting me, encouraging me, challenging me, criticizing me at times.

"I just thank you so much."

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/nations-league-cristiano-ronaldos-901st-career-goal-sees-portugal-through-vs-scotland-756983">Nations League: Cristiano Ronaldo's 901st career goal sees Portugal through vs Scotland</a>

The two-time World Cup winner led San Diego's players onto the field at the Snapdragon Stadium and posed for photos with family and friends before lining up at centre-forward.

Fans held up posters with messages of gratitude such as "Thank You Alex", while other fans and loved ones wore T-shirts with the slogan "SAND13GOAT", referencing her club and shirt number.

The fairytale farewell didn't quite follow the script, with Morgan seeing her 10th-minute penalty saved just seconds before San Diego equalized through Kennedy Wesley.

That goal was the cue for Morgan to be substituted in the 13th minute -- reflecting her jersey number.

She blew kisses to all corners of the ground and hugged each of her teammates before leaving the field to repeated chants of "Alex Morgan."

<h2>'So many people' helped</h2>

Speaking before the game to broadcaster CBS, Morgan said she had managed to keep her emotions in check.

"I'm feeling really good, no tears, yet," she said. "I've been smiling a lot these last few days because just keeping in the retirement and the pregnancy for so long was just really difficult not to share with people and everything is so much better together."

Morgan was one of the world's best-known women's players during her career, part of a golden generation of American women who blazed a trail for the sport.

She starred in the 2015 and 2019 US Women's World Cup winning teams and became known for her work off the field as she pushed for equality in women's and men's sports.

Morgan's 14-year international career saw her score 123 goals, fifth on the US women's national team all-time list, with 53 assists.

Since scoring her first international goal in 2010 against China, Morgan found the net against 32 nations, scoring the most against Japan with 12.

Her final game in a US shirt came on June 4 against South Korea with her last goal coming against Argentina last February in the Women's Gold Cup.

Morgan played in 22 Women's World Cup matches and scored nine goals while netting six goals in 16 Olympic matches.

Morgan gave birth to her first child, daughter Charlie, in 2020 and became the 14th mom to play for the Americans.

Her club history includes winning a league title with Portland in 2013 and stints with Lyon in 2017 -- when she helped the club win the French League, French Cup and UEFA Champions League -- and Tottenham in 2020.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

US soccer icon Alex Morgan bade an emotional farewell to football on Sunday as she played the final game of her glittering career before heading into retirement.

US soccer icon Alex Morgan bade an emotional farewell to football on Sunday as she played the final game of her glittering career before heading into retirement. The 35-year-old striker announced her decision to hang up her boots on Thursday after revealing she was pregnant with her second child. She played the first 13 minutes of the San Diego Wave's 4-l National Women's Soccer League loss to the visiting North Carolina Courage. "What a ride it has been," Morgan told the cheering crowd after the match. "I want to thank my teammates who have constantly challenged me every day and made me better. "There have been so many incredible moments in my career but this last moment I share on the field with you I will cherish forever. So from the bottom of my heart, thank you." WATCH VIDEO - Thank you for absolutely everything, Alex Morgan. pic.twitter.com/mIKaOS6Bkx — National Women’s Soccer League (@NWSL) September 9, 2024 × Morgan, who wiped away tears after speaking, thanked her family for support and sacrifice and told her fans: "You pushed me to be my best self every day. "You pushed me to be the best soccer player, the best mom, the best person I could be just showing up every day and supporting me, encouraging me, challenging me, criticizing me at times. "I just thank you so much." ALSO READ: Nations League: Cristiano Ronaldo's 901st career goal sees Portugal through vs Scotland The two-time World Cup winner led San Diego's players onto the field at the Snapdragon Stadium and posed for photos with family and friends before lining up at centre-forward. Fans held up posters with messages of gratitude such as "Thank You Alex", while other fans and loved ones wore T-shirts with the slogan "SAND13GOAT", referencing her club and shirt number. The fairytale farewell didn't quite follow the script, with Morgan seeing her 10th-minute penalty saved just seconds before San Diego equalized through Kennedy Wesley. That goal was the cue for Morgan to be substituted in the 13th minute -- reflecting her jersey number. She blew kisses to all corners of the ground and hugged each of her teammates before leaving the field to repeated chants of "Alex Morgan." 'So many people' helped Speaking before the game to broadcaster CBS, Morgan said she had managed to keep her emotions in check. "I'm feeling really good, no tears, yet," she said. "I've been smiling a lot these last few days because just keeping in the retirement and the pregnancy for so long was just really difficult not to share with people and everything is so much better together." Morgan was one of the world's best-known women's players during her career, part of a golden generation of American women who blazed a trail for the sport. She starred in the 2015 and 2019 US Women's World Cup winning teams and became known for her work off the field as she pushed for equality in women's and men's sports. Morgan's 14-year international career saw her score 123 goals, fifth on the US women's national team all-time list, with 53 assists. Since scoring her first international goal in 2010 against China, Morgan found the net against 32 nations, scoring the most against Japan with 12. Her final game in a US shirt came on June 4 against South Korea with her last goal coming against Argentina last February in the Women's Gold Cup. Morgan played in 22 Women's World Cup matches and scored nine goals while netting six goals in 16 Olympic matches. Morgan gave birth to her first child, daughter Charlie, in 2020 and became the 14th mom to play for the Americans. Her club history includes winning a league title with Portland in 2013 and stints with Lyon in 2017 -- when she helped the club win the French League, French Cup and UEFA Champions League -- and Tottenham in 2020. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

US soccer icon Alex Morgan bids emotional farewell in retirement match - WATCH

Sophia Smith scored twice and set up another as a new-look United States launched their bid to win a third Women's World Cup in a row with a 3-0 victory over Vietnam on Saturday.&nbsp;One of six members of the USA starting line-up making her World Cup debut, lively forward Smith finished a fine move to open the scoring in the 14th minute at Eden Park in Auckland.

Veteran Alex Morgan was then denied from the penalty spot before Smith struck again deep in stoppage time at the end of the first half in front of a crowd of just over 41,000. She then set up the third goal for captain Lindsey Horan in the 77th minute, after veteran icon Megan Rapinoe had come off the bench to win her 200th cap.

Vlatko Andonovski's favourites also missed a hatful of chances as debutants Vietnam avoided the humiliation that befell Thailand at the 2019 World Cup, when they were thrashed 13-0 by the United States.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/football-transfers-chelsea-confirm-yet-another-departure-as-pierre-emerick-aubameyang-leaves-for-marseille-618270">Football Transfers: Chelsea confirm yet another departure as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leaves for Marseille</a>

There is clearly room for improvement for the American side which&nbsp;will also play Portugal and 2019 runners-up the Netherlands in Group E, as they aim to win an unprecedented third consecutive title.

However, this was a new experience for many of their side, and for Andonovski, taking charge of a World Cup game for the first time having replaced Jill Ellis as coach not long after their triumph in France four years ago.

With Rapinoe beginning her final World Cup before retirement on the bench, the 22-year-old Smith and 21-year-old Trinity Rodman flanked Morgan in attack on their debuts.

Right-back Emily Fox, centre-back Naomi Girma, and midfielders Andi Sullivan and Savannah DeMelo also made their first World Cup appearances.&nbsp;

<h2>- Morgan squanders spot kick -</h2>

Rodman, the daughter of former NBA star Dennis Rodman, needed lengthy treatment after suffering a knock inside the first minute before going on to have an impact on proceedings.

It was Smith who got the breakthrough though, controlling and finishing off a fine move expertly after Morgan had flicked on a pass by Horan.

It was one-way traffic but it remained 1-0 until Rodman was clipped by Hoang Thi Loan in the area just before the break and the Moroccan referee gave a penalty after coming over to review the images.&nbsp;

Yet Morgan, playing in her 19th World Cup match, saw her poor kick saved by Vietnam goalkeeper Tran Thi Kim Thanh diving to the right.

Instead Smith made it 2-0 towards the end of eight added minutes in the first half, firing through the legs of the goalkeeper and in after a Girma cross had been punched away.

The goal was initially ruled out before being given after another lengthy check confirmed there was no offside.

Rapinoe, her hair died blue, entered the fray to cheers just after the hour mark alongside Rose Lavelle, the two goal-scorers from the 2019 final.&nbsp;

Teenager Alyssa Thompson also came on for her World Cup bow just before Smith pounced on a Julie Ertz ball forward and supplied a cutback for Lyon midfielder Horan to score.

Lavelle hit the underside of the bar late on as Vietnam escaped with a creditable scoreline on their World Cup bow.

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Sophia Smith scored twice and set up another as a new-look United States launched their bid to win a third Women's World Cup in a row with a 3-0 victory over Vietnam on Saturday.

Sophia Smith scored twice and set up another as a new-look United States launched their bid to win a third Women's World Cup in a row with a 3-0 victory over Vietnam on Saturday. One of six members of the USA starting line-up making her World Cup debut, lively forward Smith finished a fine move to open the scoring in the 14th minute at Eden Park in Auckland. Veteran Alex Morgan was then denied from the penalty spot before Smith struck again deep in stoppage time at the end of the first half in front of a crowd of just over 41,000. She then set up the third goal for captain Lindsey Horan in the 77th minute, after veteran icon Megan Rapinoe had come off the bench to win her 200th cap. Vlatko Andonovski's favourites also missed a hatful of chances as debutants Vietnam avoided the humiliation that befell Thailand at the 2019 World Cup, when they were thrashed 13-0 by the United States. ALSO READ: Football Transfers: Chelsea confirm yet another departure as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leaves for Marseille There is clearly room for improvement for the American side which will also play Portugal and 2019 runners-up the Netherlands in Group E, as they aim to win an unprecedented third consecutive title. However, this was a new experience for many of their side, and for Andonovski, taking charge of a World Cup game for the first time having replaced Jill Ellis as coach not long after their triumph in France four years ago. With Rapinoe beginning her final World Cup before retirement on the bench, the 22-year-old Smith and 21-year-old Trinity Rodman flanked Morgan in attack on their debuts. Right-back Emily Fox, centre-back Naomi Girma, and midfielders Andi Sullivan and Savannah DeMelo also made their first World Cup appearances. - Morgan squanders spot kick - Rodman, the daughter of former NBA star Dennis Rodman, needed lengthy treatment after suffering a knock inside the first minute before going on to have an impact on proceedings. It was Smith who got the breakthrough though, controlling and finishing off a fine move expertly after Morgan had flicked on a pass by Horan. It was one-way traffic but it remained 1-0 until Rodman was clipped by Hoang Thi Loan in the area just before the break and the Moroccan referee gave a penalty after coming over to review the images. Yet Morgan, playing in her 19th World Cup match, saw her poor kick saved by Vietnam goalkeeper Tran Thi Kim Thanh diving to the right. Instead Smith made it 2-0 towards the end of eight added minutes in the first half, firing through the legs of the goalkeeper and in after a Girma cross had been punched away. The goal was initially ruled out before being given after another lengthy check confirmed there was no offside. Rapinoe, her hair died blue, entered the fray to cheers just after the hour mark alongside Rose Lavelle, the two goal-scorers from the 2019 final. Teenager Alyssa Thompson also came on for her World Cup bow just before Smith pounced on a Julie Ertz ball forward and supplied a cutback for Lyon midfielder Horan to score. Lavelle hit the underside of the bar late on as Vietnam escaped with a creditable scoreline on their World Cup bow. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Defending champions USA kick off Women's World Cup 2023 with 3-0 win over Vietnam

US soccer player Alex Morgan cautiously welcomed the US&nbsp;Soccer Federation's offer of identical contract proposals for both the men's and women's teams, but said the proposal required scrutiny before it could be accepted.

Before Morgan spoke on Wednesday (September 15), the United States Women's National Team Players Association (USWNTPA) labelled the move as a nothing more than a publicity stunt.

The US&nbsp;Soccer Federation (USSF) announced its offer on Tuesday as part of an effort it said was to align the women's and men's national teams under one collective bargaining agreement.

"USSF's PR stunts and bargaining through the media will not bring us any closer to a fair agreement," the USWNTPA said on Twitter.

The USWNT sued US&nbsp;soccer's governing body in 2019 over allegations of gender discrimination in compensation and nearly every other aspect of their playing conditions.

Months later they won a fourth World Cup as fans chanted "equal pay" during the final.

The lawsuit, which sought $66 million in damages under the Equal Pay Act, was dismissed but the USWNT have since appealed.

The USWNT's current labour agreement expires at the end of 2021 while the men's team have been operating under the terms of a deal that expired in 2018.

Speaking at a news conference on Wednesday in Cleveland, Ohio, ahead of a match between the United States and Paraguay, Morgan said negotiations were ongoing.

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"Any commitment to equal pay publicly is good, however we need to look line by line at what they're actually providing because if, you know, you have equal but it's not even what we got before or to the value that we are then we still consider that to be not good enough," she said.

"So we will continue to work with U.S. Soccer moving forward, looking towards equal and fair payment and treatment."

In announcing its offer on Tuesday, U.S. Soccer also said it would not agree to a labour agreement that does take the step of equalizing World Cup prize money and invited the teams and their unions to join the federation to help find a solution.

FIFA offered prize money of $30 million to the teams in the 2019 Women's World Cup, while the men took home $400 million in 2018.

US soccer player Alex Morgan cautiously welcomed the US Soccer Federation's offer of identical contract proposals for both the men's and women's teams, but said the proposal required scrutiny before it could be accepted.

US soccer player Alex Morgan cautiously welcomed the US Soccer Federation's offer of identical contract proposals for both the men's and women's teams, but said the proposal required scrutiny before it could be accepted. Before Morgan spoke on Wednesday (September 15), the United States Women's National Team Players Association (USWNTPA) labelled the move as a nothing more than a publicity stunt. The US Soccer Federation (USSF) announced its offer on Tuesday as part of an effort it said was to align the women's and men's national teams under one collective bargaining agreement. "USSF's PR stunts and bargaining through the media will not bring us any closer to a fair agreement," the USWNTPA said on Twitter. The USWNT sued US soccer's governing body in 2019 over allegations of gender discrimination in compensation and nearly every other aspect of their playing conditions. Months later they won a fourth World Cup as fans chanted "equal pay" during the final. The lawsuit, which sought $66 million in damages under the Equal Pay Act, was dismissed but the USWNT have since appealed. The USWNT's current labour agreement expires at the end of 2021 while the men's team have been operating under the terms of a deal that expired in 2018. Speaking at a news conference on Wednesday in Cleveland, Ohio, ahead of a match between the United States and Paraguay, Morgan said negotiations were ongoing. × "Any commitment to equal pay publicly is good, however we need to look line by line at what they're actually providing because if, you know, you have equal but it's not even what we got before or to the value that we are then we still consider that to be not good enough," she said. "So we will continue to work with U.S. Soccer moving forward, looking towards equal and fair payment and treatment." In announcing its offer on Tuesday, U.S. Soccer also said it would not agree to a labour agreement that does take the step of equalizing World Cup prize money and invited the teams and their unions to join the federation to help find a solution. FIFA offered prize money of $30 million to the teams in the 2019 Women's World Cup, while the men took home $400 million in 2018.

Long way to go yet on equal pay, says USA's Alex Morgan

At the 2019 Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly Award (ESPY), a resounding voice for equal pay for women was heard and it's a welcome change at an international platform such as this.&nbsp;

It started with the night’s host Tracy Morgan supporting the US women’s national soccer team’s battle for financial parity. The soccer team took the stage at the awards night following their historic World Cup win.&nbsp;

Hollywood actress Sandra Bullock who presented the best team award also made a new kind of a pledge -- her allegiance to the women's ongoing fight for equal pay. Before handing the mic to co-captain Carli Lloyd of the team, Sandra said, "All those in favor of equal pay, say I.”

Carli Lloyd and fellow co-captain Megan Rapinoe kept their remarks short and sweet but Tracy made sure to reiterate this as he kept the show going. He was heard saying, “Let’s pay these ladies and let’s fight cancer.”

Before the best team award was handed out, Alex Morgan took home the trophy for best female athlete. She said, "Sorry, but this is probably the second-best trophy we won this week.”

The issue first took centre stage when in March, 28 players on the women's team filed a federal lawsuit against the US Soccer Federation alleging that they are paid less than the US men's national team, despite having a better record and generating more revenue.

After the women’s team defeated the Netherlands during Sunday's championship game chants of “equal pay!” broke out.&nbsp;

The team was earlier honoured with a ticker-tape parade along New York City's famed "Canyon of Heroes." There, Mayor Bill de Blasio chanted "U.S.A., equal pay!"

The 2019 ESPYs were held at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

At the 2019 Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly Award (ESPY), a resounding voice for equal pay for women was heard and it's a welcome change at an international platform such as this.

At the 2019 Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly Award (ESPY), a resounding voice for equal pay for women was heard and it's a welcome change at an international platform such as this. It started with the night’s host Tracy Morgan supporting the US women’s national soccer team’s battle for financial parity. The soccer team took the stage at the awards night following their historic World Cup win. Hollywood actress Sandra Bullock who presented the best team award also made a new kind of a pledge -- her allegiance to the women's ongoing fight for equal pay. Before handing the mic to co-captain Carli Lloyd of the team, Sandra said, "All those in favor of equal pay, say I.” Carli Lloyd and fellow co-captain Megan Rapinoe kept their remarks short and sweet but Tracy made sure to reiterate this as he kept the show going. He was heard saying, “Let’s pay these ladies and let’s fight cancer.” Before the best team award was handed out, Alex Morgan took home the trophy for best female athlete. She said, "Sorry, but this is probably the second-best trophy we won this week.” The issue first took centre stage when in March, 28 players on the women's team filed a federal lawsuit against the US Soccer Federation alleging that they are paid less than the US men's national team, despite having a better record and generating more revenue. After the women’s team defeated the Netherlands during Sunday's championship game chants of “equal pay!” broke out. The team was earlier honoured with a ticker-tape parade along New York City's famed "Canyon of Heroes." There, Mayor Bill de Blasio chanted "U.S.A., equal pay!" The 2019 ESPYs were held at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

Sandra Bullock calls for equal pay for US women’s national soccer team at ESPY Awards

Amid chants of "equal pay," "USA" and streams of confetti, the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/major-takeaways-from-story-packed-womens-world-cup-233968">World Cup-winning US women's soccer team</a> was feted by tens of thousands of adoring fans with a ticker tape victory&nbsp;parade&nbsp;in New York on Wednesday.

Wearing identical black T-shirts emblazoned with the words "World Champions" in gold letters, members of the US squad waved to the crowds from slow-moving open-top floats.

Player of the tournament Megan Rapinoe struck her iconic goal-scoring pose as she displayed the World Cup trophy to the cheering fans lining the&nbsp;parade&nbsp;route along Lower Manhattan's fabled "Canyon of Heroes."

Under bright sunny skies, office workers showered the players with white confetti thrown from the windows of skyscrapers lining Broadway.

New York Mayor Bill de Blasio joined the US World Cup stars on Rapinoe's float and later hosted the US team in a ceremony at City Hall to present them with the symbolic "Keys to the City."

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/megan-rapinoe-says-us-world-cup-teammates-will-snub-white-house-234588">Megan Rapinoe says US World Cup teammates will snub White House</a>

"This group is so resilient, is so tough, has such a sense of humor, is just so bad ass," Rapinoe told the crowd at City Hall. "We have pink hair and purple hair. We have tattoos, dreadlocks.

"We got white girls and black girls, and everything in between. Straight girls and gay girls," she said.

Star striker Alex Morgan also addressed the crowd.

"We have been known as America's favorite soccer team," she said.&nbsp;

"But from here on out, we'll just be known as America's team."

Players were met with chants of "equal pay" during the&nbsp;parade&nbsp;and on one float, they displayed a poster given to them by someone in the crowd which read "Parades Are Cool, Equal Pay Is Cooler."

While the team is celebrated across the country, the squad has also been held up as champions of gender equality.

The women's team is suing the US Soccer Federation to demand equal pay with their male counterparts, and fan chants of "equal pay" also cascaded from the stands at the Stade de Lyon in France after Sunday's victory over the Netherlands.

Victory tour

The&nbsp;parade, which lasted about an hour, is in line with a New York tradition that dates back more than a century.

While the honor has been bestowed on everyone from astronauts to record-breakers, soldiers and world leaders, in recent decades it has more commonly been used to celebrate sports victories by teams such as baseball's New York Yankees or the NFL's New York Giants.

Wednesday's ticker tape celebration is just the first stop on a protracted victory lap that will send the team across the United States in the coming months.

After the festivities in New York, the players will jet off to California to appear at the ESPYs, the US sports world's equivalent of the Oscars, taking place in Los Angeles later on Wednesday.

The team will then be back on the road next month to play in a five-game series of friendly international matches billed as a "Victory Tour", starting with a clash against Ireland at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California on August 3.

Also Watch: US Women's football team arrives to cheers and fans in US after winning World Cup

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One stop that looks unlikely is a trip to the White House.

The outspoken Rapinoe has been critical of President Donald Trump, saying last month that she would not accept an invitation from him to visit the White House if the United States won the World Cup.

Trump responded by tweeting that Rapinoe should "win first before she talks."

Speaking to ESPN on Tuesday, Rapinoe noted she had "held up my end of the bargain on that one" before adding that the Twitter exchange with Trump had actually helped the team in France.

She also reiterated that she would not be going to the White House, saying on CNN: "I would not go and every teammate that I've talked to explicitly about it would not go."

"I don't think anyone on the team has any interest in lending the platform that we've worked so hard to build and the things that we fight for and the way that we live our life," Rapinoe said.

"I don't think we want that to be co-opted or corrupted by this administration."

On Monday, the team returned home from France, 24 hours after defeating the Netherlands 2-0 in Sunday's final to clinch a record-extending fourth World Cup crown.

Amid chants of "equal pay," "USA" and streams of confetti, the World Cup-winning US women's soccer team was feted by tens of thousands of adoring fans with a ticker tape victory parade in New York on Wednesday.

Amid chants of "equal pay," "USA" and streams of confetti, the World Cup-winning US women's soccer team was feted by tens of thousands of adoring fans with a ticker tape victory parade in New York on Wednesday. Wearing identical black T-shirts emblazoned with the words "World Champions" in gold letters, members of the US squad waved to the crowds from slow-moving open-top floats. Player of the tournament Megan Rapinoe struck her iconic goal-scoring pose as she displayed the World Cup trophy to the cheering fans lining the parade route along Lower Manhattan's fabled "Canyon of Heroes." Under bright sunny skies, office workers showered the players with white confetti thrown from the windows of skyscrapers lining Broadway. New York Mayor Bill de Blasio joined the US World Cup stars on Rapinoe's float and later hosted the US team in a ceremony at City Hall to present them with the symbolic "Keys to the City." Also Read: Megan Rapinoe says US World Cup teammates will snub White House "This group is so resilient, is so tough, has such a sense of humor, is just so bad ass," Rapinoe told the crowd at City Hall. "We have pink hair and purple hair. We have tattoos, dreadlocks. "We got white girls and black girls, and everything in between. Straight girls and gay girls," she said. Star striker Alex Morgan also addressed the crowd. "We have been known as America's favorite soccer team," she said. "But from here on out, we'll just be known as America's team." Players were met with chants of "equal pay" during the parade and on one float, they displayed a poster given to them by someone in the crowd which read "Parades Are Cool, Equal Pay Is Cooler." While the team is celebrated across the country, the squad has also been held up as champions of gender equality. The women's team is suing the US Soccer Federation to demand equal pay with their male counterparts, and fan chants of "equal pay" also cascaded from the stands at the Stade de Lyon in France after Sunday's victory over the Netherlands. Victory tour The parade, which lasted about an hour, is in line with a New York tradition that dates back more than a century. While the honor has been bestowed on everyone from astronauts to record-breakers, soldiers and world leaders, in recent decades it has more commonly been used to celebrate sports victories by teams such as baseball's New York Yankees or the NFL's New York Giants. Wednesday's ticker tape celebration is just the first stop on a protracted victory lap that will send the team across the United States in the coming months. After the festivities in New York, the players will jet off to California to appear at the ESPYs, the US sports world's equivalent of the Oscars, taking place in Los Angeles later on Wednesday. The team will then be back on the road next month to play in a five-game series of friendly international matches billed as a "Victory Tour", starting with a clash against Ireland at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California on August 3. Also Watch: US Women's football team arrives to cheers and fans in US after winning World Cup × One stop that looks unlikely is a trip to the White House. The outspoken Rapinoe has been critical of President Donald Trump, saying last month that she would not accept an invitation from him to visit the White House if the United States won the World Cup. Trump responded by tweeting that Rapinoe should "win first before she talks." Speaking to ESPN on Tuesday, Rapinoe noted she had "held up my end of the bargain on that one" before adding that the Twitter exchange with Trump had actually helped the team in France. She also reiterated that she would not be going to the White House, saying on CNN: "I would not go and every teammate that I've talked to explicitly about it would not go." "I don't think anyone on the team has any interest in lending the platform that we've worked so hard to build and the things that we fight for and the way that we live our life," Rapinoe said. "I don't think we want that to be co-opted or corrupted by this administration." On Monday, the team returned home from France, 24 hours after defeating the Netherlands 2-0 in Sunday's final to clinch a record-extending fourth World Cup crown.

US World Cup winners feted with confetti, chants of 'equal pay'

After clinching a historic fourth World Cup soccer title, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-spat-with-soccer-star-rapinoe-trump-may-invite-us-womens-world-cup-winning-team-to-white-house-233888">US soccer star&nbsp;Megan Rapinoe</a> waded into the confrontation with Trump declaring that she won't be visiting the White House even as President Trump congratulated the winning team on Monday.

"I held up my end of the bargain for sure. We did it all, we won it all," Rapinoe said, adding, "I think everybody is with me. We don't want to go to the White House."

"So I figured that's why the invitation hasn't come, may be sent by mail and it's just sort of slowly to get here. But I doubt it. But I think we will at some point be going to Washington," she told reporters after arriving in the US.

Rapinoe was engulfed in a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-tells-us-womens-soccer-star-rapinoe-not-to-disrespect-country-230684">controversy with President Trump </a>after she declared that even if the US won the World Cup she won't be going to the White House to meet the US president. Trump shot back on Twitter saying she shouldn't "disrespect the country, White House or the flag".

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Congratulations to the U.S. Women’s Soccer Team on winning the World Cup! Great and exciting play. America is proud of you all!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1147946170293071872?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 7, 2019</a></blockquote>
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In the same series of tweets, Trump had announced he was inviting the US women's team to the White House and had added: "I am a big fan."

Rapinoe had said: "I'm not going to the fucking White House," the US co-captain exclaimed in the clip on Eight by Eight, a football magazine. "No. I'm not going to the White House."

On asked by reporters that Senator Chuck Schumer had invited her to Capitol Hill, Rapinoe added enthusiastically: "That's great. I love that. Interesting to see what McConnell (US&nbsp;Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell) does. Thank you, Chuck Schumer, for inviting us out. We are very happy to accept your invitation to come."

However, on Trump and the White House visit, Rapinoe appeared to stick to her guns. The World Cup star was backed by her teammate Alex Morgan who said she didn't believe in a lot of things that President Trump had put in place.

"There's a lot of things that President Trump, you know, has put in place that I don't stand for," Morgan said while holding the World Cup trophy.&nbsp;

"I don't feel necessarily welcome there(at the White House) and so I don't believe that I will be individually attending. I think, you know, in the past we've all decided as a team so we'll have to see that in the future," she added.

After clinching a historic fourth World Cup soccer title, US soccer star Megan Rapinoe waded into the confrontation with Trump declaring that she won't be visiting the White House even as President Trump congratulated the winning team on Monday.

After clinching a historic fourth World Cup soccer title, US soccer star Megan Rapinoe waded into the confrontation with Trump declaring that she won't be visiting the White House even as President Trump congratulated the winning team on Monday. "I held up my end of the bargain for sure. We did it all, we won it all," Rapinoe said, adding, "I think everybody is with me. We don't want to go to the White House." "So I figured that's why the invitation hasn't come, may be sent by mail and it's just sort of slowly to get here. But I doubt it. But I think we will at some point be going to Washington," she told reporters after arriving in the US. Rapinoe was engulfed in a controversy with President Trump after she declared that even if the US won the World Cup she won't be going to the White House to meet the US president. Trump shot back on Twitter saying she shouldn't "disrespect the country, White House or the flag". Congratulations to the U.S. Women’s Soccer Team on winning the World Cup! Great and exciting play. America is proud of you all! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 7, 2019 × In the same series of tweets, Trump had announced he was inviting the US women's team to the White House and had added: "I am a big fan." Rapinoe had said: "I'm not going to the fucking White House," the US co-captain exclaimed in the clip on Eight by Eight, a football magazine. "No. I'm not going to the White House." On asked by reporters that Senator Chuck Schumer had invited her to Capitol Hill, Rapinoe added enthusiastically: "That's great. I love that. Interesting to see what McConnell (US Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell) does. Thank you, Chuck Schumer, for inviting us out. We are very happy to accept your invitation to come." However, on Trump and the White House visit, Rapinoe appeared to stick to her guns. The World Cup star was backed by her teammate Alex Morgan who said she didn't believe in a lot of things that President Trump had put in place. "There's a lot of things that President Trump, you know, has put in place that I don't stand for," Morgan said while holding the World Cup trophy. "I don't feel necessarily welcome there(at the White House) and so I don't believe that I will be individually attending. I think, you know, in the past we've all decided as a team so we'll have to see that in the future," she added.

I held up my end of the bargain, don't want to go to the White House: Rapinoe after winning women's World Cup

The women footballers of United States might have <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/usa-win-womens-world-cup-after-beating-netherlands-2-0-in-final-233834">won the World Cup</a> for a record fourth time but their off-field fight for pay equity continues.&nbsp;

Throughout the tournament, fans demanded equal pay for the players with some of them even marching to stadiums with banners displaying "equal play".&nbsp;

They even booed FIFA chief Gianni Infantino and French president Emmanuel Macron during the prize distribution ceremony after the final and gave a hero-like reception to the player of the match, co-captain Megan Rapinoe.&nbsp;

Some US websites reported that more than 50 members of Congress wrote to the national federation a few months ago saying that female football players receive a base salary of about $30,000 less than their male counterparts.&nbsp;

They also mentioned that they earn less bonus money for making it to the World Cup.&nbsp;

Amid a growing outcry over the pay disparity between the men's and women's players, Infantino said that he wants to expand the field of teams for the next World Cup in 2023 from 24 to 32 and double the prize money to $60 million. But so far he has not said anything about increasing the salary of women players.&nbsp;

The US women's football team salary depends on how well the squad does in the World Cup and few sponsors also pay according to the performance.&nbsp;

Ahead of the World Cup, Australia made a landmark decision to raise the women players’ salaries. This will see professional female footballers in the country earning the same minimum wage as their male counterparts. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Under a new collective bargaining agreement unveiled, the base annual pay for players in the W-League was hiked 33 per cent to Aus $16,344 (US$11,393).

The women footballers of United States might have won the World Cup for a record fourth time but their off-field fight for pay equity continues. Throughout the tournament, fans demanded equal pay for the players with some of them even marching to stadiums with banners displaying "equal play".

The women footballers of United States might have won the World Cup for a record fourth time but their off-field fight for pay equity continues. Throughout the tournament, fans demanded equal pay for the players with some of them even marching to stadiums with banners displaying "equal play". They even booed FIFA chief Gianni Infantino and French president Emmanuel Macron during the prize distribution ceremony after the final and gave a hero-like reception to the player of the match, co-captain Megan Rapinoe. Some US websites reported that more than 50 members of Congress wrote to the national federation a few months ago saying that female football players receive a base salary of about $30,000 less than their male counterparts. They also mentioned that they earn less bonus money for making it to the World Cup. Amid a growing outcry over the pay disparity between the men's and women's players, Infantino said that he wants to expand the field of teams for the next World Cup in 2023 from 24 to 32 and double the prize money to $60 million. But so far he has not said anything about increasing the salary of women players. The US women's football team salary depends on how well the squad does in the World Cup and few sponsors also pay according to the performance. Ahead of the World Cup, Australia made a landmark decision to raise the women players’ salaries. This will see professional female footballers in the country earning the same minimum wage as their male counterparts. Under a new collective bargaining agreement unveiled, the base annual pay for players in the W-League was hiked 33 per cent to Aus $16,344 (US$11,393).

US women footballers win World Cup battle, but still fighting for ‘equal pay’

Major takeaways from story-packed women's World Cup

United States forward Alex Morgan said on Friday (July 5) that any decision about whether to accept an invitation to visit President Donald Trump at the White House would only come after Sunday's World Cup final and would likely be a collective team choice. US winger Megan Rapinoe's forceful comments that she would not attend any White House celebration prompted Trump to respond in a series of tweets and caused plenty of controversies.

Play first and deal with Trump question afterwards: USA's Alex Morgan

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