U.S. Soccer Presidential Candidate: Women Players Are "Mavericks" in the Sport
The U.S. Soccer Federation needs to change the way it treats the women’s national team, according to Kyle Martino, a candidate for the group’s presidency.
“They are the mavericks,” he told Cheddar. “If we don’t focus on treating them like World Cup winners...and investing and growing the grassroots on the women’s side, that success isn’t going to continue.”
The U.S. women’s team has won three Women’s World Cup titles since the tournament began as well as four Olympic gold medals.
Martino said the team should be paid as much as the men, who failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup following an embarrassing loss to Trinidad and Tobago.
In his race for the organization’s presidency, the former midfielder and sports broadcaster faces a crowded field. The eight candidatesinclude World Cup champion Hope Solo.
The elections will be held at the National Council Meeting this weekend.
For full interview, [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/the-race-for-u-s-soccer-president-heats-up).
In a meticulously choreographed ceremony on Tuesday, the flame for this summer’s Paris Olympics will be lit at the birthplace of the ancient Olympic Games in southern Greece.
Kansas City's Patrick Mahomes and Miami's Tyreek Hill are among the NFL players who have shown interest in playing for an American flag football team since the sport was added to the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles.
Prized free-agent pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto and the Los Angeles Dodgers have agreed to a $325 million, 12-year contract, according to multiple reports. Yamamoto is set to join Japanese countryman Shohei Ohtani.
